2009 Video Music Awards preview

2009: the year the VMAs go Gaga?

Has there ever been a pop star more perfectly suited to MTV's annual Video Music Awards than Lady Gaga? Apparently, MTV doesn't think so; they've showered the provocative dance-pop newcomer with a whopping nine nominations for their 2009 edition. Only Beyoncé received as many nods. Further down the list of nominees, it's mostly the usual suspects: Britney Spears, last year's big winner, is up for seven Moonmen, and Eminem, Coldplay and Kanye West scored four noms apiece. This year's biggest winner may already have been named: British comedian Russell Brand, invited back to host a second year despite mixed reviews of his first tour of duty.

This year's VMAs will take place Sunday, Sep. 13 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and be broadcast live on—you guessed it!—MTV. Metromix will be there to provide complete coverage; until then, here's a rundown of this year's nominees, plus more details on some of this year's performers and presenters.—Andy Hermann, Metromix