Video of the Year
Who will win: Katy Perry, “Wide Awake”
Who should win: Katy Perry, “Wide Awake”
Katy Perry kept up her streak of top ten singles this year, and “Wide Awake” was no exception. She takes a version of her younger self to a Wonderland-esque magical land and the video follows her journey. It’s totally weird, but it’s totally Katy Perry. And Prince Charming gets a punch in the face, so there’s that.
Best New Artist
Who will win: One Direction
Who should win: This one could go in a few different ways. I’m tempted to choose One Direction for this also because I will not deny it; I am unabashedly obsessed with the band. Their good-boy attitudes and charming personalities are not to be unnoted and they actually are talented. But, Frank Ocean had a big year, and “Swim Good” should definitely not go unnoticed. However, he doesn’t stand a chance against the resurgence of the boy band or even Carly Rae Jepsen, whose competitive No. 1 single definitely has a chance of helping her overrule the British boy sensation for the win.
Best Male Video
Who will win: Justin Bieber, “Boyfriend”
Who should win: Frank Ocean, “Swim Good”
Throw someone like Justin Bieber in the mix and the other contenders don’t really have a shot. He had months of buildup and tweets and sneak peaks to this video that when it actually came out, it was explosive. His fans will mostly likely make sure he wins. That doesn’t necessarily mean it should win, however. But, Frank Ocean’s video actually makes sense with what he’s singing about, and it follows him as he tries to figure out where he’s going and who he is.
Best Female Video
Who will win: Nicki Minaj, “Starships”
Who should win: Katy Perry, “Part of Me”
“Part of Me” is bold. It starts with a boy-cheats-on-girl, girl-gets-mad situation, but instead of turning the video into some kind of soap opera, Perry goes into the bathroom and pulls a Mulan — she chops off her hair and goes to war. She joins the Marines and the video follows the parallels of her training to her past love with the boy who cheated on her. It has depth that the other videos don’t and I think it deserves to win.
Best Pop Video
Who will win: This could go either to One Direction, “What Makes You Beautiful” or Justin Bieber “Boyfriend”
Who should win: One Direction, “What Makes You Beautiful”
Honestly, I think “Call Me Maybe” should win but for some reason it isn’t even nominated in this category. Of the contenders, these two are definitely going to be the top two, and it’s going to be a close call, but I think One Direction should take the trophy. Maroon 5’s intense, fiery video for “Payphone” definitely stands a chance, though, even if it is only because the video contains many shots of Adam Levine in a tank top.
Best Video with a Message
Who will win: Demi Lovato, “Skyscraper”
Who should win: Gym Class Heroes, “The Fighter”
All of the songs nominated stand a fair chance but these two come out on top. “Skyscraper” will probably have more votes (who knows?), but “The Fighter” is just as inspirational — and sounds less whiny. Following someone as they train for the Olympics is much more interesting to watch and root for than Demi Lovato’s hair flowing in the shore breeze.
