Los Angeles - Janet Jackson's event-opening tribute to her late brother Michael has garnered the most publicity ahead of Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards. But a slew of more contemporary artists are aiming to make just as big a splash. Much of the buzz surrounds the performance of Lady Gaga, which MTV personnel are describing as historic. The dance diva and singer of hits such as Just Dance and Poker Face has been rehearsing in secrecy, unlike many of the other performers lined up for the annual bash. Including Beyonce, Jay-Z, Green Day, Taylor Swift, Muse and Pink.
Other highlights of the show are expected to be new footage from the eagerly awaited teen vampire flick, New Moon, and the performance of controversial British comedian Russell Brand, who is hosting the show for the second year running.
Lady Gaga and Beyonce leading the nominations with nine nods each, while Britney Spears hopes to cap her comeback trail by turning some of her seven nominations into wins. Kanye West, Eminen and Coldplay have four nominations each, ahead of Green Day with three and Jay-Z with two.
Competing for Video of the Year are Beyonce with Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It), Lady Gaga with Poker Face, Eminem with We Made You, Kanye West with Love Lockdown and Britney Spears with Womanizer.
The nominees for Best New Artist are Lady Gaga, Drake, Justin Benoliel 3OH!3, Kid Cudi, and Asher Roth. The Best Male Video nominees include Eminem (We Made You), Kanye West (Love Lockdown), Jay-Z (D.O.A. - Death of Auto-Tune),TI Featuring Rihanna (Live Your Life) and Ne-Yo (Miss Independent).
The Best Female Video nominees are Katy Perry (Hot n Cold), Beyonce (Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)), Kelly Clarkson (My Life Would Suck Without You) and Lady Gaga (Poker Face).
