This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The nominees for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards have been announced, as well as the first two VMA performers.
The show will air on September 6 rom the Staples Center in Los Angeles,
Performing will be four-time VMA Award-winner, Alicia Keys, who will premiere a new song from her upcoming album. British boy band phenoms One Direction will also perform. Rihanna and Drake lead with five VMA nominations each, including the coveted, "Video of the Year" for her hit "We Found Love" as well as their joint smash, "Take Care." Katy Perry follows as a close second with four VMA nods.
A new category for "Best Electronic Dance Music Video" has been added.
Other notable VMA nominees this year include Kanye West, Gotye, Black Keys, Beyoncé, Skrillex, Frank Ocean, fun., Watch The Throne, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Lana Del Ray, Avicii, One Direction, Childish Gambino, Usher and more. MTV will announce additional performers and presenters at a later date. For the entire list of nominees for the "2012 MTV Video Music Awards," click here: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1690827/video-music-awards-nominees-list-2012.jhtml