MISSY Elliott, one of hip-hop’s most prolific and sought- after artists, worked it with her hit song “Work It,” snagging a mighty eight nominations for this year’s MTV Video Music Awards announced yesterday.
In second place is on-hiatus *NSYNCer Justin Timberlake, who earned seven nods, five for “Cry Me a River” and two for “Rock Your Body.”
But the wall-outlet-licking shock had to be that legendary country singer Johnny Cash, 71, netted six nominations for his stark, haunting music video, “Hurt.”
“It’s been 48 years since I cut my first record, and it’s nice that people are still digging them up,” said Cash. “I am overwhelmed by this great honor.”
Commenting on the diversity of this year’s top contenders, MTV honcho Van Toffler said, “The fact the top nominees are Missy, Justin and the legendary Johnny Cash further solidifies the VMAs as the biggest cultural and musical train wreck on the tube – and I mean that in a good way.”
Eminem and 50 Cent are each up for five Moonman awards, while Radiohead, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and the White Stripes grabbed four nods each. Aguilera and Brit pop favorite Coldplay are the first artists to sign on as performers for the 20th edition of the annual awards show; comedian Chris Rock will return as host.
The awards show will be broadcast live on MTV from Radio City Music Hall on Aug. 28 at 8 p.m.
Here is a partial list of the nominees:
* Best Video of the Year
50 Cent: In Da Club
Johnny Cash: Hurt
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott: Work It
Eminem: Lose Yourself
Justin Timberlake: Cry Me a River
* Best Male Video
50 Cent: In Da Club
John Mayer: Your Body Is a Wonderland
Justin Timberlake: Cry Me a River
Eminem: Lose Yourself
Johnny Cash: Hurt
* Best Female Video
Avril Lavigne: I’m With You
Christina Aguilera: Dirrty
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott: Work It
Beyonce: Crazy in Love
Jennifer Lopez: I’m Glad
* Best Group Video
B2K and P. Diddy: Bump, Bump, Bump
Good Charlotte: Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
The White Stripes: Seven Nation Army
Coldplay: The Scientist Movie Studio: Universal Pictures
Madonna: Die Another day
* Best Rap Video
50 Cent: In Da Club
Eminem: Lose Yourself
Ludacris: Move
Nas: I Can
Tupac: Thugz Mansion
* Best Dance Video
Christina Aguilera: Dirrty
Jennifer Lopez: I’m Glad
Mya: My Love is Like . . .
Sean Paul: Get Busy
Justin Timberlake: Rock Your Body
* Best Rock Video
Evanescence: Bring Me to Life
Good Charlotte: Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
Linkin Park: Somewhere I Belong
Metallica: St. Anger
The White Stripes: Seven Nation Army
* Best Pop Video
Christina Aguilera: Dirrty
Kelly Clarkson: Miss Independent
Avril Lavigne: Sk8er Boi
No Doubt: Underneath It All
Justin Timberlake: Cry Me a River
* Best New Artist
50 Cent: In Da Club
The All-American Rejects: Swing, Swing
Kelly Clarkson: Miss Independent
Evanescence: Bring Me to Life
Sean Paul: Get Busy
Simple Plan: Addicted
* Best Video From a Film
JC Chasez: She’s Blowin’ Me Up
Eminem: Lose Yourself
Madonna: Diet Another Day
Britney Spears: Boys Co-ed Remix
* Best R&B Video
Aaliyah: Miss You
Ashanti: Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)
Beyoncé: Crazy in Love
Nelly: Dilemma
R. Kelly: Ignition
* Best Hip-Hop Video
Busta Rhymes: I Know What You Want
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott: Work It
Jay-Z: Bonnie and Clyde
Nelly: Hot in Herre
Snoop Dogg: Beautiful
