Last year's big winner Katy Perry isn't far behind, with four nominations.
Rihanna has two chances to win for video of the year; she's nominated both for her hit "We Found Love" and for her duet with Drake on "Take Care." Others in the category include Katy Perry for "Wide Awake"; Gotye for "Somebody That I Used To Know"; and M.I.A. for "Bad Girls."
The show will air live from Los Angeles on Sept. 6, and will feature performances from four-time VMA winner Alicia Keys and One Direction, up for best pop video for their hit "What Makes You Beautiful."
