MTV Announces Trending: VMAs Award Celebration

Before Doja Cat became the host of the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, even before she procured the coveted Best New Artist award at last year’s ceremony, she was a viral superstar on TikTok. And that formula has become canon for emerging artists today: Some of this year’s biggest and boldest hits — by Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X, and several more — rocketed from the short-form video platform that’s defined the pandemic era.

That’s why, in the lead-up to the VMAs on Sunday, September 12, MTV is launching the first-ever Trending: VMAs award celebration to highlight the creators and artists bringing music and pop culture to the palm of our hands. Streaming live from the MTV TikTok account on September 10 at 5 p.M. ET, the first-of-its-kind show will honor the breakthrough songs, the greatest throwbacks, and the top-notch collaborations that broke digital ground and disrupted the For You page.

Hosted by TikTok star Quenlin Blackwell, the ceremony will feature exclusive performances and appearances from visitor presenters like Denzel Dion, Gentlemen World, Makayla Culpepper, and Justina Valentine. Check out the nominees below, and head to the MTV TikTok today and search "VMA" to vote for all your faves.

Best Breakthrough Song

Masked Wolf: “Astronaut In The Ocean”

Claire Rosinkratz: “Backyard Boy”

Bella Poarch: “Build a B*tch”

Young Baby Tate ft. Flo Milli: “I Am”

Whoheem: “Let’s Link”

Best Comeback Song

Destiny’s Child: “Bills, Expenditures, Bills”

Fleetwood Mac: “Dreams”

Simple Plan: “I’m Just A Kid”

Aly & AJ: “Potential Breakup Song”

Boney M.: “Rasputin”

Missy Elliott: “Work It”

Best Artist x Creator Collab

“Blackbird” Duet by @joejonas x @itsbenhorsburgh

Fan Duet by @charlieputh x @jvke

Soup Song by @johnmayer x @itsjamiebiotch

Mom It Was Never A Phase by @alltimelow x @yungricepatty

Mustard Watermelon by @Lizzo x @yayayayummy

“Unwritten” Dance by @natashabedingfield x @rony_boyy

Best Audio Mashup

“Baby One More Time x Levitating" by Britney Spears / Dua Lipa x @adamusic_

“Castaways x Dilemma" by The Backyardigans / Nelly ft. Kelly Rowland x @djbabyq

"Good 4 U x Misery Agency by Olivia Rodrigo / Paramore x @nikjaay

“Shaxicula” ("Toxic" x "Love Shack" x “Dragula”) by Britney Spears / The B-52’s / Rob Zombie x @djcummerbund

"Watermelon Sugar x Seaside" by Harry Styles / SEB x @SEBS_LOVESONGS

Best Viral Dance

“Adderall (Corvette Corvette)” by Popp Hunna x @yvnggprince

“Gimme More” by Britney Spears x @jaedengomezz & @karaleighcannella

“OOOWWWEEE” by Peewee Longway & Cash Man x @thats.So.Bre

“Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion x @keke.Janajah

“Twerkulator” by City Women x @layzchipz

“Up” by Cardi B x @theemyanicole and @cchrvs

The VMAs will air live on Sunday, September 12, at 8 p.M. ET/PT on MTV. This year’s awards will debut a newly redesigned Moonperson statue from fine artist Kehinde Wiley. They'll also honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks by networking with with the nonprofit 9/11 Day on a series of events to promote awareness and positive action around the day’s 20th anniversary.