UK Music Video Awards 2021 nominations revealed

Little Simz, Dua Lipa, Celeste, Joy Crookes, James Blake, Kano, Berwyn, Pa Salieu, Bicep and Wolf Alice are among the artists notching up multiple nominations for their music videos and film projects at this year’s UK Music Video Awards, in the shortlists announced today. 

International artists Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Doja Cat, Skrillex, Duck Sauce and Salvatore Ganacci also feature with multiple nominations in this year’s list.

The UK Music Video Awards, the premier global awards programme for music video creativity, returns to London’s Roundhouse on November 4th for a fully live celebration of the past year’s crop of music videos and music films in what promises to be a big night for the music filmmaking industry.

Little Simz leads the nominations with 5 nods for her videos, 3 for Introvert and 2 for Woman. The collaboration of Skrillex, Starrah and Four Tet wins 4 nominations for their video for Butterflies, followed closely, in a strong year for electronic artists, by Bicep, Duck Sauce and Salvatore Ganacci with 3 nominations apiece.

More UK success comes in the form of Dua Lipa with 3 nominations - for her videos Love Again, and Fever with Angele, as well as the Studio 2054 livestream, alongside Kano’s triple-nominated Teardrops and Joy, Crookes’ 3 mentions for Feet Don’t Fail Me Now. Wolf Alice notch up their 3 nominations for both live and narrative music videos. Their tallies are matched by the boundary-pushing Lil Nas X Montero (Call Me By Your Name) and Industry Baby and Megan Thee Stallion for Thot Shit.

As the pandemic continued to pose challenges for artists and production, filmmakers demonstrated their resilience and creativity with this year’s bounty of music videos, and the 2021 shortlists see a plethora of burgeoning directing talent making their debut among the nominations, as well as honouring the skills displayed in numerous film departments, including Cinematography, Production Design, Editing and VFX.

French director Aube Perrie, leads the pack with 5 nominations overall, for videos for Megan Thee Stallion, MK, and a place on the Best New Director shortlist. US director Christian Breslauer, makes his first appearance in the shortlists with 4 nominations. British directors Ben Strebel (Skrillex) and Brock Neal-Roberts (Sam Fender, Jeshi, Eli Brown) also have 4 nominations apiece.

Brock Neal-Roberts is also nominated for the first time in the Best Director shortlist, joining KID. Studio, also nominated for videos for Disclosure and Bryon Tiller, Arnaud Bresson (Beabadoobee), Dave Meyers (Ed Sheeran) and Tanu Muino (Lil Nas X, Normani ft Cardi B), as well as prolific British director KC Locke who wins additional nominations for his videos for Aitch and Little Mix.

UK-based filmmaking talent with multiple nominations includes previous Pop Newcomer Video winner Lucrecia Taormina (Bree Runway, Stephen Wilson ft Elton John) who this year wins a nomination for Best New Director. Joining her on the New Director list is British Nigerian director Femi Ladi, double-nominated for Pa Salieu ft Backroad Gee’s My Family, and Jordan Hemingway who is recognised for a suite of films for Wolf Alice. They vie for the title against British duo bedroom, Spanish-born Nono, and Perrie.

For the first time at the UKMVAs, a new award for the Best Performance in a Video is designed to spotlight outstanding on-camera performances by artists, actors and dancers in music videos. The shortlist features hard-hitting performances by Kano and Berwyn, alongside comedic turns by Salvatore Ganacci, James Blake and Jerome Farrah, and celebrated actor Michael Sheen in his debut music video appearance for Kelly Lee Owens.

The UK Music Video Awards also recognises work in shortform live video, special video projects and longform music film. In the Live Video category, performances by Fontaines DC, Michael Kiwanuka, Pa Salieu and Wolf Alice go head-to-head with turns by Lous and the Yakuzas and last year’s winner, The Weeknd. The Best Music Film shortlist features livestreamed concerts for Andrea Bocelli, Dua Lipa, Glass Animals and Liam Gallagher alongside a theatrical collaboration between Rone and La(Horde) and the touching documentary Imogen.

Since its inception in 2008, the UKMVAs has grown into the leading global awards programme for music video creativity, the most important annual event in the calendar for the world of music video production. The global reach of the competition once again saw entries from over 30 different territories. 

Tickets for the awards show at London’s Roundhouse on November 4th are on sale now at www.ukmva.com.

The nominations are:

Best Pop Video – UK

Joy Crookes - Feet Don't Fail Me Now
Arlo Parks - Hope
Mabel - Let Them Know
Dua Lipa - Love Again
Maisie Peters - Psycho
Little Mix - Sweet Melody

Best R&B/Soul Video - UK

Samm Henshaw - All Good
Disclosure - Birthday
Jorja Smith ft Shaybo - Bussdown
Tendai - Not Around
Wesley Joseph ft Jorja Smith - Patience
Celeste - Tonight Tonight

Best Dance/Electronic Video – UK

Good Boys & Imanbek - Goodbye
Jungle - Keep Moving
Public Service Broadcasting ft EERA - People, Let's Dance
Rudimental x Skream - So Sorry
Hot Chip, Jarvis Cocker - Straight To The Morning
Eli Brown – Trouble

Best Rock Video – UK

Sam Fender - 17 Going Under
Doves - Broken Eyes
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes ft Lynks - Go Get A Tattoo
Wolf Alice - How Can I Make It OK
Beebadoobee - Last Day On Earth
Shame - Nigel Hitter

Best Alternative Video – UK

Kelly Lee Owens ft John Cale - Corner of My Sky
Paul McCartney ft Beck - Find My Way
Texas ft Wu Tang - Hi
Bakar - Noun
Steven Wilson ft Elton John - Personal Shopper
James Blake - Say What You Will

Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video – UK

Bree Runway ft Missy Elliott - ATM
slowthai ft James Blake & Mount Kimbie - feel away
Little Simz - Introvert
Aitch - Learning Curve
Pa Salieu ft Backroad Gee - My Family
Kano – Teardrops

Best Pop Video - International

Saweetie - (Fast) Motion
Selena Gomez, Rauw Alejandro - Baila Conmigo
Bella Poarch - Build a B*tch
Lolo Zouaï - Galipette
Lil Nas X ft Jack Harlow - Industry Baby
Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me By Your Name)

Best R&B/Soul Video – International

Bryson Tiller - Always Forever
Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid - Brown Skin Girl
Doja Cat - Streets
The Weeknd - Take My Breath
Witch Prophet - Tesfay
Normani x Cardi B - Wild Side

Best Dance/Electronic Video – International

Skrillex, Starrah & Four Tet - Butterflies
MK - Chemical
Salvatore Ganacci - Fight Dirty
Rysy - Kilo
Duck Sauce - Mesmerize
Salvatore Ganacci - Step-Grandma

Best Rock Video – International

Hedgehog - Bat
Biting Elbows - Boy Is Dead
The Academic - Kids (Don't End Up Like Me)
The Parrots, C Tangana - Maldito
Space Chaser - Remnants of Technology
Trash Talk - Something Wicked

Best Alternative Video – International

Eels - Are We Alright Again
BadBadNotGood - Beside April
Cuco - Forevermore
Phoebe Bridgers - I Know The End
MCHT - Unknown World
Sansara - We will become better

Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video – International

Vladimir Cauchemar - Brrr
Tyler, The Creator - Corso
Pharrell ft Jay-Z - Entrepreneur (Official Video)
Travis Scott ft Young Thug & MIA - Franchise
Tommy Cash - Racked
Megan Thee Stallion - Thot Shit

Best Pop Video – Newcomer

Drew Sycamore - 45 Fahrenheit Girl
Elsa y Elmar - Corazones Negros
Nick Wilson - Lead Me To The Water
Between Friends - Lonely
Terno Rei - Medo
YMA - White Peacock

Best R&B/Soul Video – Newcomer

Odeal - 24/48
Preditah ft WTSRN - Distant Memory
Mykki Blanco - Free Ride
Bamao Yendé & Le Diouck - Marvin Gueye
Mansur Brown - My Prayer
Eddy Luna - Still Breathing

Best Dance/Electronic Video – Newcomer

Welshy - All For You
Fred Again.. - Dermot (See Yourself In My Eyes)
Jimothy Lacoste - Describe My Life
Not Waving ft Marie Davidson - Hold on
Modeselektor - Mean Friend
Elderbrook - Why Do We Shake In The Cold

Best Rock Video – Newcomer

The Bluestocking - Never Ready
TV Priest - Press Gang
Middle Kids - R U 4 Me?
Dry Cleaning - Scratchcard Lanyard
El Columpio Asesino - Sirenas de Mediodía
Jeremy Ivey - Someone Else's Problem

Best Alternative Video – Newcomer

Tiberius B - Big Deal
Tycho Jones - Don't Be Afraid
Califato 3⁄4 - Fandangô de carmen porter
Memorial - Hero's Death (cover)
Audio Books - Lalala It's The Good Life
Lava La Rue – Magpie

Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video – Newcomer

KAM-BU x Knucks - Call Me Back
Kaydy Cain - Hollywood
Jeshi - Look Like Trouble
Ichon ft Yseult - Mélange
Homeboy Sandman - Monument
ENNY ft Amia Brave - Peng Black Girls

Best Performance in a Video

Jerome Farah - Concrete Jungle Fever
Kelly Lee Owens ft John Cale - Corner of My Sky
Berwyn - I'd Rather Die Than Be Deported
James Blake - Say What You Will
Salvatore Ganacci - Step-Grandma
Kano - Teardrops

Best Production Design in a Video

Rag N Bone Man - All You Ever Wanted
Disclosure, Kehlani, Syd - Birthday
London Grammar - Lose Your Head
DJ Snake & Selena Gomez - Selfish Love
Celeste - Tonight Tonight
Loyle Carner - Yesterday

Best Choreography in a Video

FKA twigs, Headie One, Fred again.. - Don't Judge Me
Purple Disco Machine ft Moss Kena & The Knocks - Fireworks
Lil Nas X ft Jack Harlow - Industry Baby
Little Simz - introvert
Black Midi - John L
S+C+A+R+R - Never Give Up

Best Wardrobe Styling in a Video in association with i-D

Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid - Brown Skin Girl
Priya Ragu - Chicken Lemon Rice
Joy Crookes - Feet Don't Fail Me Now
Trouble Wanted - Lonely Cowgirl
Tommy Cash - Racked
Little Simz ft Cleo Sol – Woman

Best Hair & Make-up in a Video in association with Loop Talent

Biting Elbows - Boy Is Dead
Anaiis ft Topaz Jones - Chuu
Ashnikko - Deal With It
Joy Crookes - Feet Don't Fail Me Now
Rachel Chinouriri - Plain Jane
Little Simz ft Cleo Sol - Woman

Best Cinematography in a Video in association with Panalux

Skrillex, Starrah & Four Tet - Butterflies
Califato 3⁄4 - Fandangô de carmen porter
Simon Leoza - La Nuée
Pa Salieu ft Backroad Gee - My Family
Bicep ft Clara La San - Saku
MCHT - Unknown World

Best Colour Grading in a Video in association with CHEAT

Jerome Farah - Concrete Jungle Fever
Bastille - Distorted Light Beam
Dua Lipa ft Angele - Fever
Eli Brown - In Trouble Now
The Academic - Kids (Don't End Up Like Me)
Megan Thee Stallion - Thot Shit

Best Editing in a Video in association with Homespun

Skrillex, Starrah & Four Tet - Butterflies
Little Simz - Introvert
Duck Sauce - Mesmerize
Bicep ft Clara La San - Saku
Megan Thee Stallion - Thot Shit
Enfant Sauvage - Time to Fall

Best Animation in a Video

Easy Life - A Message To Myself
L'Impératrice - Hématome
Duck Sauce - Mesmerize
Squid - Pamphlets
Iron Maiden - The Writing on The Wall
Run The Jewels - Walking In The Snow

Best Visual Effects in a Video

Ed Sheeran - Bad Habits
Belly and The Weeknd and Young Thug - Better Believe
Skrillex ft Starrah and Four Tet - Butterflies
Darius ft Duñe - Feels Right
Fuel Fandango - Mi huella
Bicep ft Clara La San - Saku

Best Live Video

Lous And The Yakuza - Amigo (Live From The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon)
Pa Salieu - Frontline (live on Jimmy Fallon)
Fontaines DC - Hero's Death (Jimmy Fallon)
Wolf Alice - Lipstick On The Glass
The Weeknd - Save Your Tears
Michael Kiwanuka - Solid Ground (Live at the V&A)