Shakira, Chili Peppers lead MTV Video nominations

NEW YORK - Sultry Latin star Shakira and funk-rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers led the nominations for the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards with seven nods each, MTV said today.

They were followed by ruling pop queen Madonna and the new pop-punk quartet Panic! At The Disco, who received five nominations each for the event.

It will be held on August 31 in Radio City Music Hall, returning to New York after two years in Miami.

"This year we're going back to our roots, and we're going to put a little bit of that New York danger back into the Video Music Awards," MTV President Christina Norman said.

Performers will include hip-hop artists Ludacris and T.I. and more mainstream favorites Justin Timberlake and Beyonce.

For the first time, MTV viewers can also vote in every category, not just the Viewer's Choice, Norman said.

"It's going to be interesting to see who pulls ahead," said Marisa Laudadio, staff correspondent at People magazine.

"The thing about the MTV VMAs is there can be international artists and older artists vying for the same prize and fans are equally rabid about both."

The five Video of the Year nominations are Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie," Chili Peppers' "Dani California," Madonna's "Hung Up," Panic's "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" and Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man."

Artists vying for best male video are Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, James Blunt, Nick Lachey and T.I.

Nominees in the female video category are Kelly Clarkson, Nelly Furtado, Shakira, Madonna and Aguilera.

- REUTERS