Drake, Rihanna top MTV video awards list

MTV announced the nominees for this year's Video Music Awards, and there were clear leaders -- and one eyebrow-raising omission, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Drake and Rihanna led the field with five nods apiece. The latter was heavily featured on Drake's album "Take Care," and the two frequently spur speculation about their relationship (most recently when Drake's and Chris Brown's posses erupted in a champagne-hurling brawl, reportedly over Rihanna). The two will each compete with Brown in different categories, Rihanna in choreography and Drake for male video.

Katy Perry landed four nominations, while Coldplay, M.I.A., Jay-Z and Kanye West's "Watch the Throne" and newcomer Frank Ocean scored three apiece.

The snub? Lady Gaga, the figurehead of last year's ceremonies, got zero. She was eligible in two categories.

The always-eventful telecast takes place at Staples Center on Sept. 6 and will feature live performances by Alicia Keys and British boy band phenom One Direction.