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Hip-Hop enters the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with six heavyweights fighting for one Moon Person while rap remains shut outside the biggest general races.
The Best Hip-Hop ballot matches Cardi B and Kehlani’s “Safe” against Drake’s “Janice STFU,” Megan Thee Stallion’s “LOVER GIRL” and Travis Scott’s “DUMBO.”
Tyler, The Creator joins that fight with “SUGAR ON MY TONGUE,” while Houston’s Don Toliver earns his first VMA nomination behind “E85.”
That lineup gives Cactus Jack two chances because Don Toliver and Travis Scott represent the label through separate Atlantic and Epic releases.
Cardi B and Megan anchor two entries, three years after female rappers commanded attention during a VMA broadcast that posted a sizable ratings increase.
Drake returns after losing the 2025 award to Doechii, whose viral “Anxiety” defeated “NOKIA” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”
Doechii moves beyond the Hip-Hop field this year because “RUNWAY,” her Lady Gaga collaboration, competes for Best Dance and Best Art Direction.
Clipse and Kendrick Lamar carry rap into Best Collaboration with “Chains & Whips,” where French Montana and Max B provide another Hip-Hop option.
Their opposition includes Teyana Taylor and Lucky Daye, Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson plus Shakira and Burna Boy.
A$AP Rocky claims Hip-Hop’s only technical-category solo nomination through “PUNK ROCKY,” which MTV placed in the Best Cinematography contest.
The broader ballot nevertheless leaves rap without a nominee for Video, Artist, Song or Best New Artist, creating the day’s clearest genre snub.
Kendrick appears only within the Clipse collaboration despite leading the 2025 ceremony with five victories, including Video and Song of the Year.
MTV’s official ballot opened fan voting Tuesday across 13 categories, including Best Hip-Hop and Best Collaboration, with voting available online.
The genre winner will follow Doechii, whose 2025 victory continued a run that previously included Eminem, Nicki Minaj and Lil Baby.
Don Toliver carries the newcomer storyline, while Drake, Cardi B, Megan, Travis Scott and Tyler return with extensive VMA histories.
The nominations also place Houston at the center through Megan, Travis Scott and Don Toliver, with longtime Houston ally Drake joining them.
The 2026 VMAs air live from Los Angeles on September 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET across CBS, MTV and Paramount+.
