Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus Among Most-Nominated in the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards
Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus are among the most-nominated artists in the newly announced 2019 MTV Video Music Awards nominations. Their collaboration on "Old Town Road" netted a total of eight nominations.
The hip-hop infused, genre-bending track and video is up for Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Hip Hop, Best Direction, Best Editing and Best Art Direction, and Lil Nas X is also nominated for Best New Artist.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, country-turned-pop superstar Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande lead the 2019 VMA nominations with 10 apiece, while Billie Eilish scored nine nominations. Halsey earned six nods and Shawn Mendes scored five, while Camila Cabello, Cardi B, J Balvin, the Jonas Brothers and BTS are all nominated four times.
Lil Nas X and Country's Hip-Hop Love Affair
Lil Nas X was virtually unknown before "Old Town Road" debuted online in March. He quickly shot to fame as the song gained steam, and since Cyrus joined him for a remix, the track has become a massive multi-genre hit. It is currently on the verge of breaking the record for the most weeks spent at No. 1 on Billboard's all-genre Hot 100 chart. "Old Town Road" has remained at the top of that chart for 16 weeks, tying Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men's 1995 collaboration "One Sweet Day" and "Despacitio" by Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi and Justin Bieber, which was a summertime smash in 2017.
Viewer voting for the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards begins on Tuesday (July 23) in all categories via MTV's website and runs through Aug. 15 for every category except Best New Artist, which remains open until the live results broadcast begins. The 2019 VMAs are set to air live from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Monday, Aug. 26, at 8PM ET on MTV, hosted by actor and comedian Sebastian Maniscalco.
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