The nominations are in for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, and leading the pack are two close acquaintances in Rihanna and Drake. The two megastars both earn five nominations each, including ‘Video of the Year’ for “We Found Love” and “Take Care.”While RiRi gets two other big categories nods in ‘Best Female Video’ and ‘Best Pop Video,’ Drake receives two major nominations for ‘Best Hip-Hop Video’ and ‘Best Male Video.’

Other noteables includes Beyoncé, The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z), M.I.A. and Frank Ocean, who all receive three nominations each. For Frank Ocean, not only is he up for ‘Best New Artist’ with “Swim Good,” but the popular nostalgia, ULTRA cut also receives nods for ‘Best Male Video’ and ‘Best Direction.’ If you remember, Frank was on stage with his Odd Future family at last year’s VMA’s when Tyler, the Creator won ‘Best New Artist’ for “Yonkers.”  Newcomers Childish Gambino and A$AP Rocky also receive VMA nods, respectively for ‘Best Hip-Hop Video’ (“Heartbeat”) and ‘Best Editing’ (“Goldie”).

This year’s show features a change. In past years the annual event was televised on a Sunday, the 2012 edition will air on Thursday, September 8th live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. EST. With her new album coming later this year, Alicia Keys along with pop-band One Direction are the first two announced performers.

View the full 2012 VMA nominees after the jump….

Video of the Year:

Katy Perry – “Wide Awake”
Gotye – “Somebody That I Used To Know”
Rihanna – “We Found Love”
Drake Feat. Rihanna – “Take Care”
M.I.A. – “Bad Girls”

Best New Artist:

fun. Feat. Janelle Monae – “We Are Young”
Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe”
Frank Ocean – “Swim Good”
One Direction – “What Makes You Beautiful”
The Wanted – “Glad You Came”

Best Hip-Hop Video:

Childish Gambino – “Heartbeat”
Drake Feat. Lil Wayne – “HYFR”
Kanye West Feat. Pusha T, Big Sean & 2 Chainz – “Mercy”
Watch the Throne – “Paris”
Nicki Minaj Feat. 2 Chainz – “Beez in the Trap”

Best Male Video:

Justin Bieber – “Boyfriend”
Frank Ocean – “Swim Good”
Drake Feat. Rihanna – “Take Care”
Chris Brown – “Turn Up the Music”
Usher – “Climax”

Best Female Video:

Rihanna – “We Found Love”
Katy Perry – “Part of Me”
Beyoncé – “Love on Top”
Nicki Minaj – “Starships”
Selena Gomez & The Scene – “Love You Like a Love Song”

Best Pop Video:

One Direction – “What Makes You Beautiful”
fun. Feat. Janelle Monae – “We Are Young”
Rihanna – “We Found Love”
Justin Bieber – “Boyfriend”
Maroon 5 Feat. Wiz Khalifa – “Payphone”

Best Rock Video:

Coldplay – “Paradise”
The Black Keys – “Lonely Boy”
Linkin Park – “BURN IT DOWN”
Jack White – “Sixteen Saltines”
Imagine Dragons – “It’s Time”

Best Electronic Dance Music Video:

Duck Sauce – “Big Bad Wolf”
Calvin Harris – “Feel So Close”
Skrillex – “First of the Year (Equinox)”
Martin Solveig – “The Night Out”
Avicii – “Le7els”

Best Video with a Message:

Demi Lovato – “Skyscraper”
Rise Against – “Ballad of Hollis Brown”
Kelly Clarkson – “Dark Side”
Gym Class Heroes – “The Fighter”
K’Naan Feat. Nelly Furtado – “Is Anybody Out There?”
Lil Wayne – “How to Love”

Best Art Direction:

Katy Perry – “Wide Awake”
Drake Feat. Rihanna – “Take Care”
Lana Del Rey – “Born to Die”
Regina Spektor – “All the Rowboats”
Of Monsters & Men – “Little Talks”

Best Choreography:

Chris Brown – “Turn Up the Music”
Rihanna – “Where Have You Been”
Beyoncé – “Countdown”
Avicii – “Le7els”
Jennifer Lopez Feat. Pitbull – “Dance Again”

Best Cinematography:

M.I.A. – “Bad Girls”
Adele – “Someone Like You”
Drake Feat. Rihanna – “Take Care”
Coldplay Feat. Rihanna – “Princess of China”
Lana Del Rey – “Born to Die”

Best Direction:

M.I.A. – “Bad Girls”
Duck Sauce – “Big Bad Wolf”
Coldplay Feat. Rihanna – “Princess of China”
Frank Ocean – “Swim Good”
Watch the Throne – “Otis”

Best Editing:

Beyoncé – “Countdown”
A$AP Rocky – “Goldie”
Gotye – “Somebody That I Used to Know”
Watch the Throne – “Paris”
Kanye West Feat. Pusha T, Big Sean and 2 Chainz – “Mercy”

Best Visual Effects:

Katy Perry – “Wide Awake”
Rihanna – “Where Have You Been”
David Guetta Feat. Nicki Minaj – “Turn Me On”
Linkin Park – “BURN IT DOWN”

Previously (2011 MTV VMA’s Edition):
2011 MTV VMA Performances From Chris Brown, Adele, Lady Gaga & Lil’ Wayne (Videos)
Beyoncé Rubs Her Baby Belly at VMAs While Proud Papa Jay-Z Cheers (Video)
What Are They Wearing?! The 2011 VMA Red Carpet Live Blog
Odd Future at the 2011 MTV VMAs: Tyler The Creator Wins ‘Best New Artist,’ Frank Ocean Ignores Media
Rick Ross Claims Kreayshawn Is Cool But She Might Owe Khaled A Steak (Huh?)
Rick Ross Screams On Kreayshawn at the VMAs: A Beef Recap