Beyonce Battles Rihanna & Jay-Z for VMA

The VMA favorite is leading the pack and keepin' it moving after her highly publicized fall while screaming on the track to Ring the Alarm at a performance. Beyonce and Justin Timberlake receive the most nods this year with seven nominations a piece.

Foreign born Barbados beauty and international favorite, Rihanna is trailing Beyonce with five nods for the explosively successful video Umbrella featuring her self-proclaimed mentor and boss, Beyonce's beau; Jay-Z. Rihanna credits the bulk of her success to Jay-Z who quickly signed her to Def Jam at the tender age of sixteen. Jay-Z has successfully shaped Rhianna's career and changed her life in the past few years.

Rihanna told Giant magazine that her childhood was spent watching her father battle crack addiction before he conquered the habit. Experiencing a lot as a child perhaps has made her the mature grounded person she is. Rihanna's careful about the decision she makes with the help of her mentor. She tells People magazine that Jay-Z is very protective of her. She confided that he (Jay-Z) screens all her possible suitors and "looks out for me." Rihanna's focus has payed off with the VMA nods as well as being a chart topper.

The catchy Umbrella is reminiscent of Jay-Z's heart-felt apology song, Song Cry that stated "We used to use umbrellas to face the cold weather...."
As usual, the creative president of Def Jam and king of subliminal metaphors made the hot line into a hot song for his budding starlet. Umbrella has broken international billboard records and become a worldwide "I'll always be here for you no matter what they say" anthem.

While Rihanna and Jay-Z stand under each other's umbrella; Beyonce holds her own- solo, garnering nods for the Neyo -penned break-up song of the year; Irreplaceable. The two singers will compete against each other for best female artist of the year and video of the year.

Beyonce also received nods for the creatively titled hip-shaking video, Beautiful Liar, featuring Shakira. Beautiful Liar also received three professional nods as well and the coveted best director nod.

Kanye West ties Rihanna with five nods. When asked if he expects to win the video of the year award this year, West said yes and reiterated the fact that he was still upset about not taking home the moon man last year for Touch the Sky.

Kanye said that it's very rare that Black artists get the video of the year award. He told the press that this year was going to be a stiff competition for Video of the Year. He also still lamented about being invited to award shows only to get robbed of what he deserves. "You don't just invite me to your award show and think its okay to do that," he stated..

Kanye, The Hip hop Since 1978/Roc-a Fell-a signee' is dropping his album on Sept. 11.^th This is also the release date of G-Unit boss, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. 50 Cent made sure everyone knew he was suddenly conscious and focused when he accepted to debate Kanye on B.E.T's 106 and Park last Friday.

When asked about the alleged planned debate between the two, a visibly irritated West said that the proposed debate "is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. What am I gonna debate about? Why my song is better, nah I get in the studio." Kanye went on to say that he thought their identical release date was exciting and good for hip hop because listeners get to choose between two good albums.

Hours later, perhaps on a pre-taped 106 and Park show, hosts Roxy and Terrence unaware of West's comments say, "They can't wait until Sept. 11th for the debate."

This year, Kanye is also part of a new nomination ballot entitled Quadruple Threat of the Year. Other nominees in the category are Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Jay-Z and U2 lead singer Bono. Over the years, Bono's long-time social activism in Africa has garnered him three other nominations, not from MTV but from The Nobel Peace Prize committee.

Other VMA nominees included Rehab newcomer, Amy Winehouse, T.I., Fall Out Boy, Fergie, Akon and the very popular Gym Class Heroes. The 2007 VMA's will be an interesting and exciting one to watch. Producer and now artist, Timbaland is serving as musical director.

MTV has stated that the original VMA show will only air on September 9^th in its original format and will not re-air as it has in the past. MTV is also giving viewers the chance to re-mix the show this year.