Cardi B leads nominations at MTV Awards

NEW YORK - AFP

Fast-rising rapper Cardi B on July 16 topped nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards, where Jay-Z and Beyonce's ornate work shot at the Louvre and the politically charged "This is America" also enjoyed recognition.

Cardi B, who in little more than a year has become one of the most prominent women in the male-dominated world of hip-hop, received 10 nominations for the awards show that will take place on August 20 in New York.

The Bronx native born as Belcalis Almanzar was in the running in both hip-hop and Latin categories as well as Artist of the Year and Best New Artist.

The 25-year-old, who recently became a mother, was nominated for Video of the Year as the featured artist on "Finesse" by funk revivalist Bruno Mars. The video pays tribute to "In Living Color," the trailblazing African American television comedy show of the early 1990s.

Beyonce and Jay-Z were nominated for eight awards, all for "Apeshit," the meticulously attired and tightly choreographed production shot at the Louvre, opening with music's first couple standing like a painting in front of the Mona Lisa.

Childish Gambino and Drake each received seven nominations. Childish Gambino, the hip-hop alter ego of actor Donald Glover, received all his nods for "This is America," his much-discussed meditation on the contemporary political landscape of the United States.

"This is America" was also in the running for best Video With a Message as MTV for the second straight year tried to capture the political moment by honoring works with an activist bent.

Other contenders in the category include rapper Logic's "1-800-273-8255," named for an anti-suicide help number and featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid, and feminist singer Janelle Monae's "Pynk," whose video depicts her at a slumber party with other women bonding over a shared love of their vaginas.

Drake, rarely seen as a political artist, was nominated for Video With a Message for "God's Plan," in which he doles out charity money, while emerging Canadian singer Jessie Reyez is in the running for "Gatekeeper," a #MeToo-era song about an established music producer who tries to pressure her into sex.