The Eye: Garbage, Busta, Squarepusher Among Nominees For Mvpa Awards

MVPA AWARDS: Sometimes good things come to those who wait. Garbage is the leading nominee for the 1999 Music Video Production Assn. (MVPA) Music Video Awards, with six nominations so far for its videos "Push It" and "Special." (At press time, the nominations for best editing had not been announced.)
We think it's about time that this under-appreciated music-video band received some honors after being snubbed at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards. We know that Garbage was nominated for numerous awards by MTV, and it's nice to be nominated. But let's face it: It's more important to win, and we hope Garbage wins at least one MVPA Award this year.
We're also thrilled to see that Busta Rhymes, who consistently makes great videos, also received multiple MVPA nominations for his clips "Gimme Some More" and "Turn It Up." (We also predict that Rhymes will get many nominations next year for his outstanding clip with Janet Jackson, "What's It Gonna Be?!")
Other multiple MVPA nominees were Madonna's "Frozen" and "Ray Of Light" and the Smashing Pumpkins' "Ava Adore." Although Squarepusher's brilliant clip "Come On My Selector" didn't receive a lot of nominations (or even a lot of national exposure), we're also pleased to see that the clip got a well-deserved nod for video of the year. However, no Madonna video was nominated in the best video category, and we think it's because her domination of the 1998 MTV Awards may have caused a backlash with MVPA voters.
Overall, we think this year's leading nominee clips are much stronger creatively than last year's leading nominees, Jackson's "Got Till It's Gone" and Fiona Apple's "Criminal." The 1999 MVPA Awards will be held Friday (9) at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles. Eligible videos were produced in 1998. Voting is done by MVPA members.
Following is a list of nominees in the major categories.
Video of the year: Busta Rhymes, "Gimme Some More" and "Turn It Up"; eels, "Last Stop: This Town"; the Smashing Pumpkins, "Ava Adore"; Squarepusher, "Come On My Selector."
Director: Jonas Akerlund for Madonna's "Ray of Light"; Chris Cunningham for Madonna's "Frozen"; Paul Hunter for Marilyn Manson's "The Dope Show" and Busta Rhymes' "Turn It Up"; and Hype Williams for Busta Rhymes' "Gimme Some More."
Pop video: Ben Folds Five, "Song For The Dumped"; dc Talk, "My Friend So Long"; Madonna, "Ray Of Light"; Shawn Mullins, "Lullaby."
Rock video: Green Day, "Nice Guys Finish Last"; Jamiroquai, "Deeper Underground"; Marilyn Manson, "The Dope Show"; Metallica, "Turn The Page"; and Monster Magnet, "Space Lord."
Urban/R&B video: John Fort , "Ninety-Nine (Flash The Message)"; Lauryn Hill, "Ex-Factor"; Tamia, "Imagination"; Will Smith, "Miami"; and Total Featuring Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, "Trippin'."
Rap video: Busta Rhymes, "Gimme Some More" and "Turn It Up"; Puff Daddy, "Victory"; the Roots Featuring Erykah Badu, "You Got Me"; and Timbaland Featuring Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott & Magoo, "Here We Come."
AC video: Bryan Adams, "On A Day Like Today"; Chris Isaak, "Please"; the Brian Setzer Orchestra, "Jump, Jive An' Wail"; Seal, "Human Beings"; and U2, "Sweetest Thing."
Country video: Dixie Chicks, "You Were Mine"; Faith Hill, "This Kiss"; Toby Keith, "Get You Some"; Sawyer Brown, "Another Side"; and Randy Travis, "Spirit Of A Boy, Wisdom Of A Man."
Alternative video: Air, "Kelly Watch The Stars"; eels, "Last Stop: This Town"; Garbage, "Push It"; Sean Lennon, "Home"; and Squarepusher, "Come On My Selector."
BET SHAKE-UP: Gregg Diggs has exited as BET music director (BillboardBulletin, March 26). Diggs could not be reached for comment, but BET has confirmed that Diggs resigned over "creative differences."
BET has named Paul Porter as an interim replacement. Porter was previously an air personality at R&B stations WMMJ Washington, D.C., and WBLS New York. Sources say that Porter, who worked in BET's music department in the mid-'90s, has been offered the music director position on a permanent basis, but, at press time, no deal had been finalized. BET had no comment on any pending deal.
NOTE: Local Show Spotlight will return next issue.