MTV Video Music Awards Announced

N E W  Y O R K, July 25 -- Sometimes award shows make strange bedfellows.

That’s what’s shaping up at the MTV Music Video Awards, whose nominations were announced today at a news conference at the cable network’s Times Square studios.

Rapper Eminem and the teen heartthrobs of ’N Sync grabbed six nominations each. Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady” and the boy band’s “Bye, Bye, Bye” are both up for Video of the Year.

The awards were announced by veejay Carson Daly and Shawn and Marlon Wayans, who will host the 2000 VMA show Sept. 7 at Radio City Music Hall.

Ricky vs. Kid Rock

“The Real Slim Shady” was also nominated for Best Male Video, Best Rap Video, Best Direction in a Video, Best Editing in a Video and the Viewer’s Choice award. ’N Sync got nods for Best Group Video, Best Dance Video, Best Pop Video, Best Choreography in a Video and Viewer’s Choice.

The other nominees for the Best Video include Blink-182’s “All the Small Things,” D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Californication.”

Pop princess Britney Spears snagged four nods, while rival divette Christina Aguilera picked up five. They will be competing for Best Female Video and Best Pop Video.

Red Hot Chili Peppers, after not winning a single nomination in last year’s awards, scored five nominations this year, including Best Group Video, Best Direction in a Video, Best Special Effects and Best Art Direction. Metallica (“I Disappear”) and Sisqo (“The Thong Song”) are also up for fiveawards each.

For the most part, the nominees of the awards are just as eclectic as seeing Eminem and ’N Sync on the same bill for Best Video. In Best Male Video, for example, Ricky Martin is nominated alongside alternative rock acts Moby and Kid Rock. Alanis Morissette’s “So Pure” is up against pop videos by Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez in the Best Choreography in a Video category.