2011 MTV VMA Predictions: Who Will Win Best Male Video?

Becky Bain | August 23, 2011 10:30 am

After pontificating on the ladies and lads up for Best Pop Video Of The Year, we continue predicting the results of the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards by taking a look at the nominees for Best Male Video. Today’s category features two R&B/pop crooners, two rap icons and one teenage pop phenomenon battling for the same prize. We won’t know who will walk away with a moon man until the August 28 telecast (which we’ll be liveblogging as usual!), but it’s never too early to figure out who will win – and who should win, too. Jump below for our predictions, and to sound off in our poll!

BEST MALE VIDEO Bruno Mars, “Grenade” Cee Lo Green, “Fuck You” Eminem featuring Rihanna, “Love The Way You Lie” Justin Bieber, “U Smile” Kanye West featuring Rihanna and Kid Cudi, “All Of The Lights”

THOUGHTS ON THE NOMINEES: Bruno Mars is the only one in the bunch who is also up for Video Of The Year, but instead of that securing his win in this category, we think it actually diminishes his chances. MTV tends to share the wealth, and there are much bigger stars (and bigger videos) here.

Though West’s video was equal parts subtle (the subdued black-and-white beginning) and schizophrenic (the rest of it), it failed to really make a mark upon its debut. Plus, we’re still not convinced that MTV fully forgives Kanye quite yet, or at least wants to see him gloat while accepting an award.

Justin Bieber’s “U Smile” clip was quickly forgotten about outside the circles of his crazed fans, and though Cee Lo’s “Fuck You” video was pure NSFW joy, its lost all of its buzz by this point.

And that leaves…

WILL WIN: Eminem. The rapper won this category last year with his clip for “Not Afraid”. (That vid also won Best Hip-Hop Video and was nominated for just about everything else.) It’s a powerful video with a message other than It Gets Better, it features a movie star and a TV star, and it’s easily one of the most iconic videos to be released in the last year. How did this not get nominated for Video Of The Year again?

SHOULD WIN: We’d be satisfied if Eminem’s clip with Rihanna won, but if we’re being honest, Cee Lo Green had the most entertaining video of the lot, and the one that never loses its appeal no matter how many time you watch it.

[poll id=”1352″]