NEW YORK — Lady Gaga and Beyoncé Knowles each scored a whopping nine nominations to lead the field for the 2009 MTV Video Music Award nominations, organizers announced Tuesday.
Both Lady Gaga ("Poker Face") and Beyoncé ("Single Ladies") will compete for Video of the Year honors in a group that also includes Britney Spears' "Womanizer," Eminem's "We Made You" and Kanye West's "Love Lockdown." Spears will be looking to repeat as champion after winning the title last year for "Piece of Me."
"I'm excited and honored to be tied for most nominated for the VMAs," said Beyoncé. "I've been blessed this year to have 'Single Ladies' become a video people really connected with and responded to. I've spent so much time watching all the great versions people created all around the world. It's beautiful to feel you touch people and bring a song to life with a video."
"After years of hustle in New York City, where we made our art videos in bars, myself and the Haus of Gaga are honored to receive nine nominations for the 2009 VMAs," said Lady Gaga and the Haus. "We believe in the immensity and the promise of 'showbiz' and will continue to give it mouth-to-mouth, till its vomiting return. All you need is a camcorder, a flashlight, and one truly GREAT idea."
Spears followed just behind with seven nominations and she remains the favorite in the eyes of returning VMA host Russell Brand.
"Obviously, all these people are worthy nominees, but I realize that Britney perhaps wrote 'Womanizer' about me, so I'd like that to win," said Brand, who announced the nominees in a video message.
A fierce battle between Eminem and West would appear to be looming at this year's event. Both artists garnered four nods apiece, in each of the same categories. Eminem holds a decisive edge in the showdown, having four a staggering nine Moonmen to West's two.
Among the artists receiving their first VMA nominations were the Puerto Rican duo Wisin Y Yandel, rapper Drake and rockers Kings of Leon.
This year's VMA's will take place on Sept. 13 in locations around New York City, including Radio City Music Hall. Among the performers announced to date are British rockers Muse, pop sensation Pink, reunited rockers Green Day and country star Taylor Swift, who will take the stage at the 26th annual event for the first time.
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