Rihanna and Drake are the most-nominated artists for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. The network announced the nominees this morning, with both artists each up for five VMAs. Rihanna is up for Video Of The Year for "We Found Love," while her collaboration with Drake on "Take Care" is also nominated in that category. While Drake received additional nods for Best Hip Hop Video, Best Male Video, Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography, Rihanna racked up additional nods for Best Female Video, Best Choreography, Best Visual Effects and Best Pop Video. Katy Perry follows as a close second with four VMA nods. Additionally, with the massive popularity of EDM, a new category for Best Electronic Dance Music Video has been added. MTV has also added a Best Video With A Message category.
In addition to "We Found Love" and "Take Care," the other nominees for Video Of The Year are Perry's "Wide Awake," Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know" and "Bad Girls" from M.I.A. TheBest New Artist nominees are fun., Carly Rae Jepsen, Frank Ocean, One Direction and The Wanted.
MTV also announced that Alicia Keys and One Direction are the first two performers set for the VMAs. Keys will premiere a brand new song from her as-yet-unannounced new album. "Debuting a new song at the VMAs is definitely special. I debuted 'No One' at the VMAs — it was the first time anyone in the world heard 'No One'," says Keys. "It’s the perfect setting. It’s the right energy. It’s the right vibe. People are so excited about the night of music and hearing different styles that it just goes over really well. I can’t wait!"
Fans can now vote online at vma.mtv.com to help select many of this year's winners. The complete list of nominees can be found here.