Rihanna is up for two categories - Video of the Year for her solo hit 'We Found Love' and her duet with Drizzy on his 'Take Care' while Drake's nominations include bids for Best Hip-Hop Video and Best Male Video as well as Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography.
Last year's big winner, Katy Perry, is not far behind with four nominations. Other nominees include Perry for 'Wide Awake', Gotye for 'Somebody That I Used To Know' and MIA for 'Bad Girls'.
R&B diva Beyonce, Coldplay, Frank Ocean and the Throne are in the running with three nominations each.
Singer Kanye West has two shots at the Best Hip-Hop Video crown, one on his own for 'Mercy', and another as part of the Throne for the flashy 'Paris'.
Teen pop star Justin Bieber is among a number of double nominees in the Best Male Video race and the Best Pop Video.
This year's show will air live on September 6 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles and feature performances from four-time VMA veteran Alicia Keys and VMA first-timers One Direction.