MTV VMAs 2014 nominees and performers

Back in 2009, it was Kanye West's oh-so-rude Taylor Swift interruption. Two years later it was Beyone's baby bump. Last year, all eyes were on Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke's racy performance.

What will be this year's major must-talk-about-the-next-day VMAs moment?

There's plenty of potential contenders with Nicki Minaj performing (another 'Anaconda' lap dance perhaps?) and Beyonce taking the stage amid reports that her marriage to Jay Z is on the rocks.

Beyonce also leads this year pack of nominees with eight nods, including video of the year for 'Drunk in Love,' featuring Jay Z. She's also receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, a lifetime achievement honor also given to Madonna and Britney Spears.

But Beyonce isn't the only contender up for moonmen this Sunday. Rappers Iggy Azalea and Eminem are each nominated for seven awards. Otter nominees include OK Go, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams and Linkin Park.

Women, meanwhile, dominate this year's video of the year category. Pharrell Williams is the only male performer competing for that honor; he's nominated alongside Beyonce, Azalea's 'Fancy,' Miley Cyrus' 'Wrecking Ball' and Sia's 'Chandelier.'

The two-and-a-half-hour show will get underway with Minaj, Ariana Grande and Jessie J performing their single 'Bang Bang.' Other performers include Usher, 5 Seconds of Summer, Maroon 5, Taylor Swift and Sam Smith. Azeala will perform her single 'Black Widow' with Rita Ora.

Presenters include Gwen Stefani, Kim Kardashian, Demi Lovato, Lorde, Taylor Schilling, Laverne Cox, Uzo Aduba, Dylan O'Brien, Nina Dobrev, Jason Derulo and Trey Songz.

The VMAs will air live Sunday from The Forum in Inglewood, California, starting 9 p.m. ET. A red carpet special will begin at 8 p.m.

The 2014 nominees:

Video of the Year

Best Hip-Hop Video

Childish Gambino, '3005' Drake ft. Majid Jordan, 'Hold On (We're Going Home)' Eminem, 'Berzerk' Kanye West, 'Black Skinhead' Wiz Khalifa, 'We Dem Boyz'

Best Male Video

Best Female Video

Best Pop Video

Best Rock Video

Artist to Watch, Presented by Taco Bell

Best Collaboration

Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea, 'Problem' Beyonce ft. Jay Z, 'Drunk In Love' Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne and Tyga, 'Loyal' Eminem ft. Rihanna, 'The Monster' Katy Perry ft. Juicy J, 'Dark Horse' Pitbull ft. Kesha, 'Timber'

MTV Clubland Award

Best Video With A Social Message

Angel Haze ft. Sia, 'Battle Cry' Avicii ft. Dan Tyminski, 'Hey Brother' Beyonce, 'Pretty Hurts' David Guetta, 'One Voice' J. Cole, 'Crooked Smile' Kelly Rowland, 'Dirty Laundry'

Best Cinematography

Best Editing

Best Choreography

Beyonce, 'Partition' Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz, 'Talk Dirty' Kiesza, 'Hideaway' Michael Jackson ft. Justin Timberlake, 'Love Never Felt So Good' Sia, 'Chandelier' Usher, 'Good Kisser'

Best Direction

Best Art Direction

Best Visual Effects