Fatboy Slim, 'Lady Marmalade' Lead MTV Video Awards Nominees
July 24, 2001 -- Fatboy Slim's music video for "Weapon of Choice" is the top, um, choice at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, drawing nine nominations yesterday.
The video, directed by Spike Jonze — who also directed Fatboy Slim's hilariously low-tech 1999 video for "Praise You" — features actor Christopher Walken, better known for his many menacing film roles, tap-dancing all over the lobby of a luxury hotel.
"Weapon of Choice" is competing in the Video of the Year, Best Dance Video, Best Direction in a Video, Best Choreography in a Video, Best Special Effects in a Video, Best Art Direction in a Video, Best Editing in a Video, Best Cinematography in a Video, and Breakthrough Video categories.
Also racking up multiple nominations were the videos for "Lady Marmalade," as sung by garter-belted songstresses Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, and Pink; Missy Elliott's "Get Ur Freak On"; and 'N Sync's "Pop."
Rapper Eminem took five nominations for his song "Stan." Singer Dido's "Thank You," which provides the haunting backbone to "Stan," also earned her a Best Female Video nod.
But we have to ask: No nominations for Grammy Album of the Year winners Steely Dan? Tsk, tsk. The MTV voters are so out of touch.
Ballots for the awards were sent to a group of viewers, people representing record labels, music journalists, and video producers, who determined the nominees.
Trophies will be handed out during a live broadcast Sept. 6 at the Metropolitan House at Lincoln Center in New York City. U2 and Alicia Keys are scheduled to perform.
A host for the awards show will be named soon, as will presenters and additional performers.
Nominations in Major CategoriesVideo of the YearFatboy Slim, "Weapon of Choice" Eminem featuring Dido, "Stan" U2, "Beautiful Day" Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, Pink, "Lady Marmalade" Janet Jackson, "All for You" Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, "Get Ur Freak On"
Best Male VideoEminem featuring Dido, "Stan" Lenny Kravitz, "Again" Robbie Williams, "Rock DJ" Moby featuring Gwen Stefani, "South Side" Nelly, "Ride Wit Me"
Best Female VideoMadonna, "Don't Tell Me" Janet Jackson, "All for You" Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, "Get Ur Freak On" Dido, "Thank You" Jennifer Lopez, "Love Don't Cost a Thing" Eve featuring Gwen Stefani, "Let Me Blow Ya Mind"
Best Group Video U2, "Elevation (Tomb Raider Mix)" 'N Sync, "Pop" Destiny's Child, "Survivor" Incubus, "Drive"
Best Rap Video Eminem featuring Dido, "Stan" Nelly, "Ride Wit Me" Jay-Z, "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" Ja Rule featuring Lil' Mo & Vita, "Put It on Me" Snoop Dogg, "Lay Low"
Best R&B Video Jill Scott, "Gettin' in the Way" 112, "Peaches & Cream" R. Kelly, "I Wish" Destiny's Child, "Survivor" Sunshine Anderson, "Heard It All Before"
Best Hip-Hop Video Outkast, "Ms. Jackson" Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, "Get Ur Freak On" Eve featuring Gwen Stefani, "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" City High, "What Would You Do?" Black Eyed Peas featuring Macy Gray, "Request Line"
Best Dance Video Fatboy Slim, "Weapon of Choice" Janet Jackson, "All for You" 'N Sync, "Pop" Jennifer Lopez, "Love Don't Cost a Thing" Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, Pink, "Lady Marmalade"
Best Rock Video Aerosmith, "Jaded" Limp Bizkit, "Rollin'" Weezer, "Hash Pipe" Linkin Park, "Crawling" Staind, "It's Been Awhile"
Best Pop Video 'N Sync, "Pop" Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, Pink, "Lady Marmalade" Britney Spears, "Stronger" Backstreet Boys, "The Call" Destiny's Child, "Independent Women Part 1"
Best New Artist in a Video Coldplay, "Yellow" Sum41, "Fat Lip" Nikka Costa, "Like a Feather" David Gray, "Babylon" Alicia Keys, "Fallin'"
Best Video From a Film Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, Pink, "Lady Marmalade" Destiny's Child, "Independent Women Part 1" U2, "Elevation (Tomb Raider Mix)" DMX, "No Sunshine" K-Ci & JoJo, "Crazy"
Breakthrough Video Common featuring Macy Gray, "Geto Heaven" Fatboy Slim, "Weapon of Choice" Gorillaz, "Clint Eastwood" R.E.M., "Imitation of Life" Robbie Williams, "Rock DJ" 'N Sync, "Pop"
Viewer's ChoiceBackstreet Boys, "The Call" Nelly, "Ride Wit Me" Destiny's Child, "Independent Women Part 1" Limp Bizkit, "My Way" 'N Sync, "Pop" Eve featuring Gwen Stefani, "Let Me Blow Ya Mind"
Reuters/Variety contributed to this story.