2025 MTV VMA Nominations: Gaga, Lamar, and Carpenter Dominate

Lady Gaga & Kendrick Lamar Lead 2025 VMA Nominations: Full List Revealed

Los Angeles, CA – The nominations for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards are here, and Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar are dominating the pack. Rolling Stone US has unveiled the full list of contenders, showcasing a diverse range of artists and groundbreaking visuals.

Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” has secured nominations across multiple categories, including Best Direction, Best Art direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Visual Effects – a testament to its aspiring scope and artistry.Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is also a major contender, vying for Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best editing, and Best Choreography.

The nominations reflect a year of innovative music videos, with several artists receiving multiple nods. Ariana Grande’s “Brighter Days Ahead” is recognized for its direction, cinematography, and visual effects. Charli xcx’s collaboration with Billie Eilish, “Guess,” is a strong contender for Best Direction, Best Art direction, and Best Editing.

Here’s a complete breakdown of the nominations:

Video of the year:

a Boy – “Higher”
Charli xcx – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish”
Doechii – “Anxiety”
Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody save me”
Selena Gomez,benny blanco – “Younger And Hotter Than Me”
Zach Hood ft. Sasha Alex Sloan – “Sleepwalking”

Best Direction:

Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
Charli xcx – “Guess” featuring Billie Eilish
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
Sabrina Carpenter – “manchild”

Best Art Direction:

Charli xcx – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish”
Kendrick Lamar – “not Like Us”
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
Lorde – “Man Of The Year”
Miley Cyrus – “End of the World”
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”

Best Cinematography:

Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire”
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like us”
Lady gaga – “Abracadabra”
Miley Cyrus – “Easy Lover”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”

Best Editing:

Charli xcx – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish”
Ed Sheeran – “sapphire”
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching”

Best Choreography:

doechii – “Anxiety”
FKA twigs – “Eusexua”
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
Tyla – “PUSH 2 START”
Zara Larsson – “Pretty Ugly”

Best Visual Effects:

Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching”
The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow”

The evolution of the VMA’s & Music Video’s Impact

The VMAs have long been a barometer of cultural trends and a showcase for the evolving art of the music video. From its early days celebrating the rise of MTV and groundbreaking visuals from artists like Michael Jackson and Madonna, the awards have consistently reflected shifts in music, technology, and artistic expression.

Today, music videos are more than just promotional tools; they are immersive experiences, short films, and vital extensions of an artist’s brand. The increasing sophistication of visual effects, coupled with innovative storytelling techniques, continues to push the boundaries of the medium. The nominations this year demonstrate a continued emphasis on high-concept visuals and ambitious productions, signaling a vibrant future for music video artistry.

the 2025 VMAs promise to be a celebration of this creativity, and fans eagerly await the winners.the ceremony’s date and location are yet to be announced. stay tuned to archyde.com for further updates and full coverage of the event.

How might Lady GagaS extensive nominations influence fan voting strategies and possibly impact the overall VMA results?

Lady Gaga’s Reign Continues: Leading the Pack with 9 nominations

Lady gaga is having a monumental year, and the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards nominations reflect that. With a staggering nine nominations, she’s the clear frontrunner, largely fueled by the success of her latest album and it’s accompanying visually stunning music videos. Key nominations include:

Video of the Year: “Bloody Mary (Remix)”

Artist of the year: Lady Gaga

song of the Year: “Bloody Mary (Remix)”

Best collaboration: Lady Gaga & Kendrick Lamar – “Power Surge”

Best Art Direction: “Bloody Mary (Remix)”

Best Visual Effects: “bloody Mary (Remix)”

Best Choreography: “Bloody Mary (Remix)”

Best Cinematography: “bloody Mary (Remix)”

Best Pop: “Bloody Mary (Remix)”

gaga’s consistent ability to push creative boundaries and deliver impactful performances has solidified her status as a pop culture icon. This year’s nominations are a testament to her enduring influence on the music industry and her dedication to visual artistry. Fans are eagerly anticipating her potential performance at the VMAs, hoping for a spectacle that lives up to her reputation.

Kendrick Lamar’s Powerful Statements Earn 7 Nominations

Kendrick Lamar’s critically acclaimed album and its politically charged music videos have resonated deeply with audiences, earning him seven VMA nominations. Lamar’s work consistently tackles significant social issues, and his visual storytelling is as compelling as his lyrical prowess.

Video of the Year: “Crown”

Artist of the Year: Kendrick Lamar

Song of the Year: “crown”

Best Hip-Hop: “Crown”

Best Direction: “Crown”

Best Editing: “crown”

Best Social Message: “Crown”

Lamar’s nominations highlight the growing recognition of hip-hop as a powerful force in music and culture. His ability to spark conversation and inspire change through his art makes him a significant voice in contemporary society.The “Crown” video, in particular, has been praised for its powerful imagery and poignant message.

Sabrina Carpenter’s Breakthrough Year: 6 Nominations

Sabrina Carpenter has experienced a meteoric rise in 2025, and the VMAs have taken notice. Garnering six nominations,Carpenter’s success is a result of her catchy pop anthems and engaging online presence.

Video of the Year: “Espresso”

Artist of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter

song of the Year: “Espresso”

Best new Artist: Sabrina Carpenter

Best Pop: “Espresso”

Best Lyrics: “espresso”

Carpenter’s “Espresso” has become a summer anthem, dominating streaming charts and social media trends. Her nominations represent a significant moment for the young artist, solidifying her position as a rising star in the pop music landscape. Her dedicated fanbase, known as “Carpenters,” are actively campaigning for her to win big at the VMAs.

Key Battles & Potential Upsets: Beyond the top Three

While Gaga, Lamar, and Carpenter lead the nominations, several other artists are vying for recognition.

Doja Cat: With 5 nominations, Doja Cat continues to be a force in the music industry, known for her innovative style and genre-bending music. Her nominations include Best R&B and Best Art Direction.

Olivia Rodrigo: Rodrigo secured 4 nominations, continuing her success from previous years. She’s nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop.

* Billie Eilish: Eilish received 3 nominations, showcasing her continued influence in the alternative pop scene.

The “Best New Artist” category is especially competitive this year, with several emerging artists vying for the title. Keep an eye on Ice Spice and Chappell Roan, both of whom have garnered significant attention in recent months.

VMA Voting & Fan Engagement: How to Make Your Voice Heard

Voting for the VMAs is open to the public, and fan engagement plays a crucial role in determining the winners. Here’s how you can participate:

1. official VMA Website: Visit https://www.mtv.de/ (MTV Germany’s website is a key hub for international VMA coverage and voting information).
2. social media: Use the official VMA hashtags (#VMAs, #VMAs2025) to show your support for your favorite artists.
3. Multiple Platforms: Voting is often available across multiple platforms, including the MTV website, Twitter (now X), and Instagram.
4. Daily Voting: Many categories allow for daily voting, so make sure to cast your ballot regularly.

Fan campaigns and coordinated voting efforts can substantially impact the outcome of the awards. Artists with dedicated fanbases often have a distinct advantage.

The Evolution of the VMAs: From Shock Value to social Commentary

The MTV Video Music Awards have evolved significantly since their inception in 1984. Initially known for their shocking moments and controversial