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Quincy Jones: A Legacy That Will Resonate Through Generations

November 5, 2024

Quincy Jones, the legendary music titan, has left us at 91, but his spirit endures through every note, melody, and rhythm he touched. From his groundbreaking production on Michael Jackson’s Thriller..

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Compression for Beatmakers

October 18, 2024

Compression is one of the most crucial tools in any beatmaker's toolkit, shaping the dynamics of your track and helping achieve that punchy, polished sound....

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The Best Beginner-Friendly DAWs for Music Production

October 18, 2024

Getting into music production can be an exciting journey, especially for beginners. With so many digital audio workstations (DAWs) available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.

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Top 10 Mixing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

October 18, 2024

Mixing is an art form that requires not only technical skill but also a keen ear and attention to detail. Many producers and engineers fall into common traps...

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Choosing the Best CPU for Music Production

October 18, 2024

When upgrading your CPU for music production, whether you're composing orchestral scores, producing electronic music, or working with intricate multi-track projects, selecting the right processor...

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How to Create Epic Risers and Transition Effects for Electronic Music

October 11, 2024

Creating epic risers and transition effects is essential for electronic music producers to build tension and anticipation before a drop or shift in their tracks. Here’s how you can do it...

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Automating a Drum Bus in Reaper to Create Dynamic Room Effects

October 6, 2024

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EQ in Practice: How to Use Subtractive EQ to Clean Up Muddy Mixes

October 6, 2024

ixing music is an art, and one of the most essential tools for achieving clarity in a mix is the equalizer (EQ). One technique, in particular, known as subtractive EQ, can work wonders for cleaning...

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How to Manage Static Noise in High Frequencies When Compressing Vocals

October 6, 2024

One common frustration in vocal production, especially for home studio and bedroom producers, is encountering static noise in the high frequencies after compressing and brightening vocals...

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Sampling Like a Pro: How to Flip Samples and Avoid Legal Issues

October 6, 2024

Sampling has been a cornerstone of modern music production, allowing producers to reimagine and breathe new life into old tracks. Whether you're producing hip-hop, EDM, or any genre, knowing how to...

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What Makes an EQ or Compressor VST High-Quality: Insights and Examples from Pros

October 6, 2024

When selecting EQ and compressor plugins, musicians and producers look for more than just a shiny interface or brand recognition. It's all about how these tools perform in real-world scenarios...

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Sound Design 101: Crafting Killer Drum Sounds Using Synthesizers

October 6, 2024

Drum sounds form the backbone of many music genres, and while sample packs are popular, designing your own drum sounds from scratch can elevate your production to a whole new level. Crafting custom...

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MTV VMAs snubs and shocks: See who was left out of nominations

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet

A Wide Net — But Not Quite Wide Enough

The 2025 MTV Video Music Award nominations have been announced, boasting a diverse lineup with 33 first-time nominees. Pop icons Taylor Swift and Beyoncé even earned artist of the year nods without releasing music videos during the eligibility period (June 20, 2024 – June 18, 2025). Bruno Mars racked up 11 nominations — all for collaborations — second only to Lady Gaga.

But amid the celebration, a number of major music videos failed to make the cut, leaving fans and industry watchers scratching their heads.

BigXthaPlug & Bailey Zimmerman — All The Way

Despite racking up over 32 million views, the cross-genre hit All The Way — blending rap from breakout star BigXthaPlug with rising country talent Bailey Zimmerman — was completely overlooked. Its strong viewership and genre-crossing appeal seemed like a natural fit for a nomination, but it didn’t land a single nod.

Mariah the Scientist — Burning Blue

Mariah the Scientist’s Burning Blue has pulled in 21 million views in just three months, making it one of the fastest-rising R&B visuals of the year. Still, the acclaimed video — praised for its sleek direction and emotional resonance — received no recognition from MTV.

Lisa’s Collaborative Power Plays

Lisa of Blackpink fame did earn one nomination for her collaboration Born Again with Doja Cat and Raye in the best K-pop category. But many expected more, especially given her high-profile collaborations this year:

  • Lisa & Rosalía — New Woman: A high-concept, star-studded video that amassed 40 million views in its first week.
  • Lisa & Tyla — When I’m with You: A sultry, dance-heavy visual with 21+ million views.

Despite their popularity, neither video found space in the best collaboration category.

The Weeknd — Dancing in the Flames

While The Weeknd earned several nods for Timeless and Hurry Up Tomorrow, another hit from his latest album, Dancing in the Flames, was left in the cold. The cinematic video — shot on an iPhone 16 Pro — features a surreal sequence in which The Weeknd is hit by a semitruck and miraculously recovers. With 70 million YouTube views, its omission feels particularly glaring.

Kesha — Boy Crazy and Joyride

Kesha’s much-discussed comeback era hasn’t yet been embraced by MTV. Her self-directed Boy Crazy, released in June, sparked social media buzz for its unapologetic feminist message. And Joyride, an action-packed November 2024 release featuring desert chases and campy shootouts, showcased her flair for spectacle. Both videos, however, went unrecognized.

The Bottom Line

The 2025 VMAs clearly aimed for broad representation — but even with dozens of new names in the mix, some of the year’s most compelling music videos were overlooked. Whether these omissions are due to stiff competition or shifting industry tastes, they’ve sparked a conversation about what it takes to make the cut in an era when viral reach and artistic ambition don’t always guarantee awards-show recognition.

MTV VMAs snubs and shocks: See who was left out of nominationsmtv-vmas-snubs-and-shocks-see-who-was-left-out-of-nominationsMuhammad SiddiquiAug 07, 2025The 2025 MTV Video Music Award nominations have been announced, boasting a diverse lineup with 33 first-time nominees. Pop icons Taylor Swift and Beyoncé even earned artist of the year nods without...