Stage is set for the 2018 MTV VMA Awards

COLOMBO (News 1st) - MTV revealed the stage for its 2018 Video Music Awards on Friday (August 17) and the renaming of its iconic trophy from the moonman to the moonperson. "Jokingly we were talking about the former moonman and why is this a Moonman, why isn't it a moon-woman, well it's just a moonperson. So it's just a natural, natural progression really. Keep in step with the way the world is evolving," said Bruce Gillmer, executive producer and executive vice president of music and talent at Viacom. Rapper Cardi B has 10 nominations with nods in all the top categories, including both best artist and best new artist, as well as best video, collaboration, and choreography mostly for her work with Bruno Mars on "Finesse." Beyonce and Jay-Z, performing as The Carters, earned eight nominations for their "APES**T" video, which was shot inside the Louvre in Paris against the backdrop of some of the world's most famous artworks. Childish Gambino, the music stage name of actor Donald Glover, earned seven nominations for his hard-hitting video "This Is America" about black identity and police brutality. Cardi B and Bruno Mars, The Carters, and Childish Gambino will face off for the top prize - video of the year - against Ariana Grande's "No Tears Left to Cry," Camila Cabello's "Havana," and Drake's "God's Plan." The VMAs "will honor Aretha Franklin and pay tribute to her monumental legacy," an MTV spokesperson said. Franklin had been nominated for VMAs for 1986 video "Freeway of Love" and 1987's "Jumpin' Jack Flash." The fan-voted, youth-oriented VMA awards ceremony with a reputation for irreverence and outrageous stunts will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Aug. 20.