Hip-Hop news
Kendrick Lamar's Fort Worth-filmed 'N95' video nominated for 2 MTV Video Music Awards
The explosive music video for hip-hop superstar Kendrick Lamar's hit "N95" — which features prominent Fort Worth landmarks — has been nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards, and the public can help vote one to victory.
The Grammy-winning lyrical genius dropped the video in May, and to Fort Worth fans' surprise, it included scenes shot at the Kimbell Art Museum's Renzo Piano Pavilion, the Active Pool at the Fort Worth Water Gardens, and more.
Lamar had worked with Fort Worth-based Red Productions to scout locations to match his ideas for the shoot.
To date, the video has more than 41 million views on YouTube. And now, some awards can come home to Fort Worth (fingers crossed).
Visit Fort Worth announced in a July 26 Facebook post that the video — and Red Productions — had been nominated for two of the prestigious MTV awards: Best Hip Hop and Best Cinematography.
In the Best Hip Hop category, Lamar's "N95" is up against:
- Eminem & Snoop Dogg – “From The D 2 The LBC”
- Future ft. Drake, Tems – “WAIT FOR U”
- Latto – “Big Energy”
- Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Baby – “Do We Have A Problem?”
- Pusha T – “Diet Coke”
Best Hip Hop is one of 22 vote-able categories, meaning fans can vote for their favorites at vote.mtv.com, up to 20 times per day. Voting started Tuesday, July 26 and closes Friday, August 19
Best Cinematography will not be voted on by fans. Lamar is also nominated for a collaboration with Baby Keem. In addition to "N95," the nominees are:
- Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “family ties”
- Camila Cabello ft. Ed Sheeran – “Bam Bam”
- Harry Styles – “As It Was”
- Normani ft. Cardi B – “Wild Side”
- Taylor Swift – “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)”
Lamar (who just played a show in Dallas July 23) is tied with Jack Harlow and Lil Nas X for the most nominations, at seven apiece.
Red Sanders, owner of Red Productions, told WFAA he hopes the success of "N95" will lead to more film and music opportunities in Fort Worth. "This was a very collaborative piece both with the city and with the film commission. With the museums and the cultural district," he said.
The VMAs will take place Sunday, August 28, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. According to Billboard, the show will simulcast on The CW Network, BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TVLand, and VH1.