Timberlake and Beyonce Lead Nominations Charge at MTV Video Music Awards 2007

The nominations for the MTV Video Music Awards 2007 are out. Leading the charge are Justin Timberlake and Beyonce Knowles with seven nominations each, followed by Rihanna and Kanye West (five nominations), and Amy Winehouse (three nominations for her Rehab).

Beyonce’s Irreplaceable made it to the nominations, as did Timberlake’s immensely popular What Goes Around. His nominations included Male Artist of the Year, Quadruple Threat of the Year, and Most Earthshattering Collaboration.

Of these, the latter two are new categories that only MTV could have introduced. Both Timberlake and Beyonce must be thanking MTV profusely for these new categories, as they have helped increase their nomination tally.

Beyonce nominations include one for the Female Artist of the Year. The Most Earthshattering Collaboration category sees Beyonce pitted headlong against Timberlake/Timbaland, for her collaboration with Shakira for Beautiful Liar.

Timberlake’s nomination for the Most Earthshattering Collaboration category is for Sexyback, released in collaboration with music producer and rapper Timbaland. However, in the Quadruple Threat of the Year category, he is up against some of the biggest guns of the music industry.

The Quadruple Threat of the Year category is to be presented as a tribute to musicians who have crossed boundaries and made valuable contributions in other fields such as philanthropy, fashion, acting, and/or dancing. Timberlake’s competition in this category includes Bono, Numero Uno music couple Beyonce and Jay-Z, and Kanye West.

Rihanna made it to the nominations on the strength of her Umbrella, while Kanye West made it on the basis of Stronger. Amy Winehouse is coming to the party on the strength of her smash hit Rehab. The Surprise Nominee of the Night award would go to Justice’s nomination for D.A.N.C.E.

As if this immensely impressive line-up was not enough, there are others in the fray as well, including Fergie (Female Artist of the Year), Fall Out Boy (Best Group), Carrie Underwood (no longer fresh, but making it to the Best New Artist), and Daughtry (Monster Single of the Year).

The night of the awards is set to be a sizzling affair, with stars of the stature of Timberlake, Rihanna, Timbaland, and Amy Winehouse scheduled to perform live during the event. Other stars in the lineup include Fall Out Boy, the Foo Fighters, Lily Allen, and Chris Brown.

The organizers are expecting the show to be a big hit. The only thing keeping them on tenterhooks is Kanye West and his temperament. West had stormed off the stage when Justice had beaten him to the punch with their We Are Your Friends at the MTV Europe Awards last year.