The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards are fast approaching, which means that soon you'll be treated to an excellent night of performances and appearances by the likes of Eminem, Linkin Park, Usher, Paramore, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Drake, Florence and the Machine, B.o.B and Deadmau5 (who will serve as the house DJ at the show). While people tend to remember the classic performances and the unhinged moments, the coveted Moonman is the reason why people show up and tune in. This year, there are 16 categories wherein some of the biggest music stars in the universe will compete for the coolest trophy in awards shows. Today, we take a look at one of the nominees in the Video of the Year category.
We have run through 15 other categories, and the only one left is the big one: Video of the Year. Over the next few days (leading up to the actual VMA show this Sunday), we'll take a look at each one of the Video of the Year nominees individually. Next up: 30 Seconds to Mars' "Kings and Queens." Shot by Bartholomew Cubbins (also known as 30 Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto), "Kings and Queens" is one of the few videos nominated for an award this year that doesn't contain complicated special effects or wacky animation. Rather, "Kings and Queens" features little more than a small army of people riding around bicycles through abandoned streets in downtown Los Angeles, which sounds simple but is remarkably arresting. There's something truly electric about the images that Leto captures, which is a testament to his abilities as a filmmaker and video artist.
"Kings and Queens" is all about stunning imagery, and there are a number of shots that really stick: The wildfires burning in the background, the homage to Banksy and the references to "The Warriors" among them. But will the relatively low-key quality of "Kings and Queens" (especially compared to eye-popping extravaganzas like "Bad Romance") work against it? Logic would say yes, but consider Panic! at the Disco's win for Video of the Year back in 2006. They came out of nowhere and toppled titans like Madonna and Britney Spears with the low-key but still visually arresting "I Write Sins Not Tragedies." Upsets like this have happened before, and they could easily happen again.
The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12 at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 for Verizon subscribers) to vote for the winners from now through September 12.
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