MTV announced the nominations for this year’s Video Music Awards yesterday, and BEYONCE is tied with LADY GAGA for the most nominations, with nine each. BRITNEY SPEARS came in second with seven nominations.

All of Beyonce’s nominations were for her “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” video.

Lady Gaga was recognized for her “Poker Face” and “Paparazzi” videos and Britney was nominated for her “Womanizer” and “Circus” videos.

All three of them are up for the Video of the Year award along with KANYE WEST for “Love Lockdown and EMINEM for “We Made You”.

Kanye and Eminem were both nominated for four VMAs in the same four categories. In addition to Video of the Year, the other three are: Best Male Video, Best Hip-Hop Video, and Best Special Effects.

In addition to all the usual categories this year, MTV is giving classic videos a chance to win a VMA “Moonman” award . . . in retrospect.

There are 10 nominees for that, including the BEASTIE BOYS’ awesome “Sabotage” video.

As previously announced, RUSSELL BRAND will host for the second straight year . . . and the confirmed performers are: GREEN DAY, PINK, TAYLOR SWIFT and MUSE.

More performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

This year’s “MTV Video Music Awards” will air live on Sunday, September 13th.