Since 1984, the coveted, glimmering Moonman award has stood to represent some of pop culture’s most groundbreaking moments. The award belongs to some of pop music’s greatest-of-all-timers with the likes of Michael Jackson, Madonna, The Beastie Boys, and Justin Timberlake all among the ranks of honorees. Now, in 2014, as the world’s mainstage lineup becomes increasingly populated by dance music’s top performers and producers, a passing of the torch may be upon us. For the first time ever, it seems as though dance music might have the opportunity to take more than a few Moonmen home this year.

Announced nearly a month before the award ceremony is televised, the Video Music Award nominees were introduced today via Snapchat (brave new world, right?). Among them are the usual suspects, Beyonce leads the pack with eight nods, with Eminem, Kanye, and Pharrell all nominated as well. However this year dance music is very well represented, as super producers Zedd, and Calvin Harris, newcomer Martin Garrix as well as Mad Decent champion DJ Snake all find themselves competing for honors as well. The addition of the MTV Clubland Award this year speaks volumes to the pop-scale attention dance music has garnered in 2014.

Avicii‘s “Wake Me Up” will contend for the Best Pop award, as well as “Hey Brother” for Best Video With a Social Message. French techno guru Gesaffelstein‘s “Hate or Glory” is nominated for Best Cinematography and Disclosure‘s video for “Grab Her!” is among the nominees for Best Visual Effects. The list of nods is full of dance music’s finest this year, further pushing electronic music into the global spotlight.

Full list of nominations and voting ballots

Tags: avicii, calvin harris, Disclosure, DJ Snake, Gesaffelstein, Mad Decent, Martin garrix, Zedd

Categories: Music