2015 MTV VMA Predictions: Best Pop Video, Best Hip-Hop Video, and Artist to Watch

Best Pop Video
Will Win - Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars "Uptown Funk"
Could Win - Taylor Swift "Blank Space" or Ed Sheeran "Thinking Out Loud"
Should Win - Taylor Swift "Blank Space"
Commentary - Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars have a smash hit on their hands, which is clever, catchy, and has a fun and funny music video that will probably win a lot of awards come Sunday night. But let's not rule out Taylor Swift. I know that Bad Blood is getting all the attention, and so this would seem a bit much to give her some love for Blank Space. But that video is freaking awesome. She is brilliant, and the concept is perfect. The way she just loses her stuff and goes crazy is so much fun to watch. In terms of a complete narrative, and a concept Blank Space is the best of the bunch, and is a real dark horse.

Best Hip-Hop Video
Will Win - Nicki Minaj "Anaconda"
Could Win - Kendrick Lamar "Alright" or Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth "See You Again"
Should Win - Kendrick Lamar "Alright"
Commentary -  This one should be easy. Kendrick Lamar is the hottest name in rap music right now, Alright is great, and Nicki Minaj probably shot herself in the foot with her anti-MTV comments. But voters vote for what they like and while Lamar could easily win, I honestly think that Minaj's Anaconda is the novelty song of the last year, the video is interesting to say the least, and honestly, she is a big as Lamar right now. Also watch out for Khalifa and Puth. Of the bunch, this feels like the younger, MTV crowd kind of song.

Artist to Watch
Will Win - George Ezra "Budapest"
Could Win - Vance Joy "Riptide", FKA Twigs "Pendulum", or Fetty Wap "Trap Queen"
Should Win - George Ezra "Budapest"
Commentary - Vance Joy is an interesting up and comer, FKA Twigs latest is a critical favorite, and Fetty Wap is doing great things on the hip-pop and regular Billboard charts. But I think that the quirky and soulful George Ezra is going to win here. His song exploded earlier this year on the radio, and he is also a unique and quite spectacular artist. It is always hard to guess with untested contenders, and really, the popularity could benefit Fetty Wap. But I think Ezra has both the popularity and the prestige to make it work.