If there’s one thing pretty much guaranteed at the MTV Video Music Awards, or VMAs, it’s that they will generate a fair amount of controversy.

Last year, Miley Cyrus’s provocative performance with Robin Thicke sparked a wave of criticism after she gyrated around in flesh-coloured PVC wielding a giant finger. And a decade earlier, Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera hit the headlines with their lesbian kiss.

But, while all eyes are on the acts providing the entertainment on the night, there’s a danger the nominees are overlooked. So, just who is in the running for this year’s awards, which take place on August 24?

Well, Beyonce’s personal life may have been beset by rumours, but her professional life is going from strength to strength. The pop superstar has picked up the most VMA nominations, having been listed in eight categories, including Video of the Year for her collaboration with husband Jay Z, Drunk in Love.

Not far behind her with seven nominations are rapping veteran Eminem and newcomer Iggy Azalea, who will be up against Beyonce in the most hotly contested category for the video for her hit Fancy. Eminem, meanwhile, is up for Best Hip-Hop, Best Male, and Best Collaboration, for his work with Rihanna on The Monster.

It seems last year’s performance has certainly not done anything to harm Miley Cyrus’ chances of winning an award this time round. The serial twerker also has a shot at Video of the Year for Wrecking Ball, in which she appears naked apart from a pair of boots. The video could also pick up Best Direction.

Pharrell Williams’ Happy and Sia’s Chandelier round off the category for the VMA’s flagship prize.

Other big names with a chance of taking home an award include Kanye West, Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry and Jason Derulo.

MTV continued the pattern of using social media to unveil its nominations, posting its announcement up on its Snapchat account to let fans know they can now start voting for their winners.
Whoever wins will certainly have a quirky feature for their mantelpiece as the statuettes have been designed in the shape of little astronauts on the moon, one of the earliest representations of MTV.

So far, Usher, Ariana Grande and 5 Seconds of Summer have all been confirmed as performers. Although, they will certainly have a tough act to follow if they are to generate as many social media comments, column inches and gossip as Miley Cyrus or Madonna.

Here is the full list of nominations this year:

Video of the Year
Beyoncé ft. Jay Z, “Drunk In Love”
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX, “Fancy”
Miley Cyrus, “Wrecking Ball”
Pharrell Williams, “Happy”
Sia, “Chandelier”

Best Hip-Hop Video
Childish Gambino, “3005″
Drake ft. Majid Jordan, “Hold On (We’re Going Home)”
Eminem, “Berzerk”
Kanye West, “Black Skinhead”
Wiz Khalifa, “We Dem Boyz”

Best Male Video
Ed Sheeran ft. Pharrell Williams, “Sing”
Eminem ft. Rihanna, “The Monster”
John Legend, “All of Me”
Pharrell Williams, “Happy”
Sam Smith, “Stay With Me”

Best Female Video
Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea, “Problem”
Beyoncé, “Partition”
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX, “Fancy”
Katy Perry ft. Juicy J, “Dark Horse”
Lorde, “Royals”

Best Pop Video

Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea, “Problem”
Avicii ft. Aloe Blacc, “Wake Me Up”
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX, “Fancy”
Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz, “Talk Dirty”
Pharrell Williams, “Happy”

Best Rock Video

Arctic Monkeys, “Do I Wanna Know?”
Black Keys, “Fever”
Imagine Dragons, “Demons”
Linkin Park, “Until It’s Gone”
Lorde, “Royals”

Artist to Watch, Presented by Taco Bell

5 Seconds of Summer, “She Looks So Perfect”
Charli XCX, “Boom Clap”
Fifth Harmony, “Miss Movin’ On”
Sam Smith, “Stay With Me”
Schoolboy Q, “Man of the Year”

Best Collaboration

Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea, “Problem”
Beyoncé ft. Jay Z, “Drunk In Love”
Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne and Tyga, “Loyal”
Eminem ft. Rihanna, “The Monster”
Katy Perry ft. Juicy J, “Dark Horse”
Pitbull ft. Kesha, “Timber”

MTV Clubland Award

Calvin Harris, “Summer”
Disclosure, “Grab Her!”
DJ Snake & Lil Jon, “Turn Down For What”
Martin Garrix, “Animals”
Zedd ft. Hayley Williams, “Stay the Night”

Best Video With A Social Message

Angel Haze ft. Sia, “Battle Cry”
Avicii ft. Dan Tyminski, “Hey Brother”
Beyoncé, “Pretty Hurts”
David Guetta, “One Voice”
J. Cole, “Crooked Smile”
Kelly Rowland, “Dirty Laundry”

Best Cinematography

30 Seconds to Mars, “City of Angels”
Arcade Fire, “Afterlife”
Beyoncé, “Pretty Hurts”
Gesaffelstein, “Hate Or Glory”
Lana Del Rey, “West Coast”

Best Editing

Beyoncé, “Pretty Hurts”
Eminem, “Rap God”
Fitz and the Tantrums, “The Walker”
MGMT, “Your Life is a Lie”
Zedd ft. Hayley Williams, “Stay the Night”

Best Choreography

Beyoncé, “Partition”
Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz, “Talk Dirty”
Kiesza, “Hideaway”
Michael Jackson ft. Justin Timberlake, “Love Never Felt So Good”
Sia, “Chandelier”
Usher, “Good Kisser”

Best Direction

Beyoncé, “Pretty Hurts”
DJ Snake & Lil Jon, “Turn Down For What”
Eminem ft. Rihanna, “The Monster”
Miley Cyrus, “Wrecking Ball”
OK Go, “The Writing’s On The Wall”

Best Art Direction

Arcade Fire, “Reflektor”
DJ Snake & Lil Jon, “Turn Down For What”
Eminem, “Rap God”
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX, “Fancy”
Tyler, the Creator, “Tamale”

Best Visual Effects

Disclosure, “Grab Her!”
DJ Snake & Lil Jon, “Turn Down For What”
Eminem, “Rap God”
Jack White, “Lazaretto”
OK Go, “The Writing’s On The Wall”