This Sunday, music’s biggest names will descend on Los Angeles to find out who will take home MTV’s highest honor: the Video Music Award. In anticipation of the evening, INTO asked Grindr users who they think should take home the coveted award in the major categories.
Alongside their predictions are INTO’s own thoughts on who might be taking home the award. And you will be surprised at how different these turned out to be.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Kendrick Lamar, “HUMBLE.” 23%
Bruno Mars, “24K Magic” 28.55%
Alessia Cara, “Scars to Your Beautiful” 15.02%
DJ Khaled, “Wild Thoughts” 23.95%
The Weeknd, “Reminder” 9.47%
Who Grindr Users Think Should Win: Bruno Mars (28.55% of the vote)
Who INTO Thinks Will Win: Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars’ impact on music in the last year has been inescapable. That’s less the case for Alessia Cara and DJ Khaled, even though “Wild Thoughts” is an amazing song with a Rihanna-soaked video that is eminently watchable. While The Weeknd is now a pop mainstay, this last year was not his zenith.
The only person who can give Bruno Mars a run for his money is Kendrick Lamar, whose song “HUMBLE.” and album DAMN. have been undeniable forces in a sleepy year for the music industry. Not to mention the fact that “HUMBLE.” is probably the best video in terms of quality among the nominees.Though MTV’s brand is trying to be more woke, expect “24K Magic” to take home the trophy for its feel-good infectiousness and by-the-books visuals.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bruno Mars 21.85%
Kendrick Lamar 19.03%
Ed Sheeran 16.22%
Ariana Grande 23.99%
The Weeknd 11.26%
Lorde 7.64%
Who Grindr Users Think Should Win: Ariana Grande (23.99%)
Who INTO Thinks Will Win: Bruno Mars
While Ariana Grande would be the most deserving winner, without any nominations in the other major categories, it would make little sense for MTV to give it to the starlet. While Grande released only two videos this year “Side to Side” and “Everyday” she also became a symbol of resilience in the last year after the May attack on her Manchester concert. Given the ubiquitous year he’s had, Bruno Mars will probably take the statue, even if we (and Grindr users) hope for a Grande-sized upset.
BEST NEW ARTIST
Khalid 27.07%
Kodak Black 10.34%
SZA 18.37%
Young M.A 8.44%
Julia Michaels 16.73%
Noah Cyrus 19.05%
Who Grindr Users Think Should Win: Khalid (27.07%)
Who INTO Thinks Will Win: SZA
Khalid definitely wins in terms of sheer name recognition, even though Noah Cyrus has the benefit of the Cyrus dynasty. But, SZA’s fire debut album Ctrl has made her an online sensation. Shout out, of course, to Young M.A, an out lesbian rapper from Brooklyn, New York, who came in last in terms of the vote but is still an artist INTO is excited to watch.
BEST COLLABORATION
Charlie Puth ft. Selena Gomez, “We Don’t Talk Anymore” 13.24%
DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller, “Wild Thoughts”30.41%
D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty, “Broccoli” 5.00%
The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey, “Closer” 20.95%
Calvin Harris ft. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean, “Feels” 13.24%
Zayn & Taylor Swift, “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker)” 17.16%
Who Grindr Users Think Should Win: DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller, “Wild Thoughts”.
Who INTO Thinks Will Win: Given that Khaled’s “Wild Thoughts is the only video here nominated for Video of the Year and that Rihanna in the video is the best thing caught on camera in 2017 “Wild Thoughts” should have no problem snatching this trophy.
BEST POP VIDEO
Shawn Mendes, “Treat You Better” 14.46%
Ed Sheeran, “Shape Of You” 25.41%
Harry Styles, “Sign Of The Times” 8.65%
Fifth Harmony ft. Gucci Mane, “Down” 13.11%
Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley, “Chained To The Rhythm” 21.08%
Miley Cyrus, “Malibu” 17.30%
Who Grindr Users Think Should Win: Ed Sheeran, “Shape of You”
Who INTO Thinks Will Win: Ed Sheeran, “Shape of You”
Despite not being a great video, “Shape of You” has 2 billion views on YouTube. The song’s monster hold on radio means it should be a relatively easy coup for Sheeran over the rest of the competition. Not even Perry, who is hosting the show and released the overstuffed “Swish Swish” video this week, should pose competition.
BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
Kendrick Lamar, “HUMBLE.” 34.51%
Big Sean, “Bounce Back” 8.97%
Chance the Rapper, “Same Drugs” 8.83%
D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty, “Broccoli” 4.35%
Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert, “Bad & Boujee” 15.22%
DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber “I’m The One” 28.13%
Who Grindr Users Think Should Win: Kendrick Lamar, “HUMBLE.” (34.51%)
Who INTO Thinks Will Win: Kendrick Lamar, “HUMBLE.”
Much like Beyonce’s Grammy win for Contemporary R Album, Lamar may be short-shifted in the night’s two big categories Video of the Year and Artist of the Year and may only take the win in the hip hop category, even if he deserves more.
BEST ROCK VIDEO
Coldplay, “A Head Full Of Dreams” 34.28%
Fall Out Boy, “Young And Menace” 19.24%
Twenty One Pilots, “Heavydirtysoul” 24.53%
Green Day, “Bang Bang” 13.55%
Foo Fighters, “Run” 8.40%
Who Grindr Users Think Should Win: Coldplay, “A Head Full of Dreams,” (34.28%)
Who INTO Thinks Should Win: Coldplay, “A Head Full of Dreams”
It would be nice if Coldplay didn’t win any more awards, but was anyone really watching any of these videos this year? Coldplay may win on mainstream appeal alone, though I’d love to see Fall Out Boy take the stage and get any award ever. (Sidenote: Doesn’t “A Head Full of Dreams” sound like it could be the title of any Coldplay song?)
BEST FIGHT AGAINST THE SYSTEM
Logic ft. Damian Lemar Hudson, “Black SpiderMan” 10.01%
The Hamilton Mixtape, “Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)” 16.37%
Big Sean, “Light” 15.56%
Alessia Cara, “Scars To Your Beautiful” 36.94%
Taboo ft. Shailene Woodley, “Stand Up / Stand N Rock #NoDAPL” 4.60%
John Legend, “Surefire” 16.51%
Who Grindr Users Think Should Win: Alessia Cara, “Scars to Your Beautiful,” (36.94%)
Who INTO Thinks Will Win: Alessia Cara, “Scars to Your Beautiful”
Unfortunately, the way this year’s nominations shook out, almost each category had one video that made it to the Video of the Year category. Given Cara’s slot in the top category, it’s hard to argue with the logic of her win.
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We will be doing live-coverage of the VMAs all Sunday evening here at INTO. Tune in here or on Twitter.
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