The VMA 2025 nominations are officially out, and this year’s lineup is already stirring buzz across the music world. Leading the charge are three global superstars—Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Kendrick Lamar—each racking up multiple nods across major categories, including Video of the Year and Artist of the Year.
MTV unveiled the full list of nominees this morning via their official Instagram and YouTube accounts, confirming what fans have been speculating for weeks. The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards are set to take place on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at the iconic Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The event promises electrifying performances, viral red carpet moments, and fierce fan-voting competition.
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Lady Gaga Returns to VMA Glory
Lady Gaga, known for her show-stopping visuals and theatrical performances, secured eight nominations, tying her with Kendrick Lamar for the most this year. Her cinematic hit “Chromatica Reign” is nominated for:
- Video of the Year
- Best Pop
- Best Direction
- Best Art Direction
- Best Editing
- Song of the Year
- Best Collaboration (feat. SZA)
- Artist of the Year
This marks Gaga’s first appearance in the Artist of the Year category since 2020. If she wins Video of the Year, it would be her third trophy in that coveted category.
Bruno Mars Lights Up with Funk and Soul
Bruno Mars surprised fans with a strong showing, picking up six nominations, largely for his retro-inspired anthem “Velvet Sky.” MTV credited the video’s vibrant choreography and high production value as standout elements.
Notable nominations include:
- Best Choreography
- Best R&B
- Video of the Year
- Best Cinematography
- Best Direction
- Artist of the Year
Mars last won Video of the Year in 2018 for “Finesse” featuring Cardi B. This year, his campaign focuses on his musical versatility and live performance energy.
Kendrick Lamar Dominates with Visual Storytelling
Kendrick Lamar continues to push creative boundaries with his album “United Souls,” earning eight nominations this year. The video for “Rebirth,” widely praised for its social commentary and innovative visuals, is at the center of his VMA 2025 recognition.
Kendrick’s key nominations include:
- Video of the Year
- Best Hip-Hop
- Best Direction
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Editing
- Song of the Year
- Best Cinematography
- Artist of the Year
Critics predict a close race between Kendrick and Gaga for top honors.
First-Time Nominees Shine Bright
In addition to the veterans, several newcomers have made their VMA debut this year:
| Artist | Category | Song Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ice Spice | Best New Artist | “Slay Queen” |
| Tate McRae | Best Pop | “Now or Never” |
| Jungkook (BTS) | Best K-Pop | “Still With You” |
| Chappell Roan | Push Performance of the Year | “Hot To Go!” |
Ice Spice’s nomination follows a breakout year, while Jungkook’s solo work continues to shine post-BTS hiatus.
Voting and Show Details
Fan voting is now open on the official MTV VMA website and will continue through September 10, 2025. Fans can vote once per category per day. Categories like Best Group, Best K-Pop, and Push Performance of the Year are expected to have tight races.
MTV also announced that the event will feature performances by:
- Dua Lipa
- Bad Bunny
- SZA
- Travis Scott
- Olivia Rodrigo
Rumors also suggest a surprise appearance by Beyoncé, though it remains unconfirmed.
Full List of VMA 2025 Top Category Nominees
Video of the Year
- Lady Gaga – “Chromatica Reign”
- Kendrick Lamar – “Rebirth”
- Bruno Mars – “Velvet Sky”
- Olivia Rodrigo – “Fire Starter”
- Doja Cat – “Alien Fashion”
- SZA – “Midnight Rain”
Artist of the Year
- Lady Gaga
- Bruno Mars
- Kendrick Lamar
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Taylor Swift
- Bad Bunny
Song of the Year
- “Chromatica Reign” – Lady Gaga
- “Velvet Sky” – Bruno Mars
- “Rebirth” – Kendrick Lamar
- “Vampire” – Olivia Rodrigo
- “Monaco” – Bad Bunny
With such a stacked lineup and competitive categories, the VMA 2025 ceremony is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in recent history. Whether you’re Team Gaga, Team Kendrick, or rooting for a first-time nominee, this year’s VMAs have something for every music lover.
Stay tuned and let us know in the comments who you’re voting for and what surprise performance you’re most excited about!