2026 MTV VMAs Scraps Long-Running "Best Rock" Category After 35 Years
Madonna leads with 11 nominations, but the 2026 lineup drops Best Rock and Best Afrobeats and leaves out several video-focused categories.
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Last year, one of the top priorities of MTV’s Video Music Awards (VMAs) was to pay homage to the late Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osborne. Today’s new batch of nominees was released along with the elimination of the category of “Best Rock” [Best Rock], which was replaced by “Best Alternative”. The decision has provoked outrage in the rock world, as this was one of the 23 original awards that were included during the legendary 1989 edition. The awar…
Did MTV Just Quietly Kill Off the VMA for Best Rock Video?
It's possible the nominations for Best Rock Video will be rolled out later, but we have a hunch about this year's MTV VMA categories. The post Did MTV Just Quietly Kill Off the VMA for Best Rock Video? appeared first on VICE.
FULL LIST: Tems, Burna Boy nominated as MTV VMAs removes Afrobeats category
Tems and Burna Boy are among the nominees for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). In the nomination list announced on Tuesday, US singer Madonna led with 11 nods, while Taylor Swift followed with nine nominations. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter also earned seven nominations each. Tems was nominated in the ‘Best R&B’ category for her collaborative single, ‘Raindance’, with Dave. Burna Boy also received two nominations in the ‘Best C…
2026 MTV VMAs Drop Best Rock Category As Alternative Nominees Raise Eyebrows
The MTV VMAs have ditched their dedicated rock category for 2026, leaving fans with a surprisingly broad Alternative field instead. The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards have revealed this year’s nominees, but rock fans might notice something missing from the list: there is no Best Rock category (per Loudwire). The omission marks a significant change for an awards show that has recognised rock and heavy music for decades. MTV introduced its Best Heavy…
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