What would the world be like without MTV? The channel practically defines pop culture. Tonight, comedian Chris Rock will host the 2003 Video Music Awards. With acts and nominations ranging from Jay-Z and Missy Elliott to Coldplay and Good Charlotte, the night will bring together many influential artists from this year’s mainstream music scene. The music staff at The Oracle took the liberty of selecting our top picks for tonight’s awards ceremony. Check out the picks, watch the awards, and laugh when we’re wrong.

And the nominees are …

Best Video of the Year

50 Cent, “In Da Club”
Johnny Cash, “Hurt”
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, “Work It”
Eminem, “Lose Yourself”
Justin Timberlake, “Cry Me a River”

Breakthrough Video

Coldplay, “The Scientist”
Floetry, “Floetic”
Kenna, “Freetime”
Queens of the Stone Age, “Go With the Flow”
Sum 41, “The Hell Song”

Best New Artist In A Video

50 Cent, “In Da Club”
The All-American Rejects, “Swing, Swing”
Kelly Clarkson, “Miss Independent”
Evanescence (f/Paul McCoy), “Bring Me To Life”
Sean Paul, “Get Busy”
Simple Plan, “Addicted”

Best Group Video

B2K (f/P. Diddy), “Bump Bump Bump”
Coldplay, “The Scientist”
The Donnas, “Take It Off”
Good Charlotte, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”
The White Stripes, “Seven Nation Army”

Best Rock Video

Evanescence (f/Paul McCoy), “Bring Me To Life”
Good Charlotte, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”
Linkin Park, “Somewhere I Belong”
Metallica, “St. Anger”
The White Stripes,”Seven Nation Army”

Best Pop Video

Christina Aguilera (f/Redman), “Dirrty”
Kelly Clarkson, “Miss Independent”
Avril Lavigne, “Sk8er Boi”
No Doubt (f/Lady Saw), “Underneath It All”
Justin Timberlake, “Cry Me a River”

Best Rap Video

50 Cent, “In Da Club”
Eminem, “Lose Yourself”
Ludacris (f/Mystikal), “Move B***h”
Nas, “I Can”
Tupac (f/Nas), “Thugz Mansion”

Best Male Video

50 Cent, “In Da Club”
Johnny Cash, “Hurt”
Eminem, “Lose Yourself”
John Mayer, “Your Body is a Wonderland”
Justin Timberlake, “Cry Me a River”

Best Female Video

Christina Aguilera (f/Redman), “Dirrty”
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, “Work It”
Beyoncé Knowles (f/Jay-Z), “Crazy In Love”
Avril Lavigne, “I’m With You”
Jennifer Lopez, “I’m Glad”

MTV2 Award

A.F.I., “Girls Not Grey”
Common (f/Mary J. Blige), “Come Close”
Interpol, “PDA”
Queens of the Stone Age, “No One Knows”
The Roots (f/Cody ChestnuTT), “The Seed 2.0”

Video of the Year
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, “Work It”

This video produces a laugh every time it comes on. The song is jumpy, the special effects are in Missy’s original off-the-wall style and the choreography is superb.
— Whitney Meers

Breakthrough Video
Queens of the Stone Age, “Go With The Flow”

It doesn’t get better than this, but what do you expect from a band Dave Grohl is affiliated with? A video of a dead renegade deer that drives a Jeep… Priceless.
— Rorik Williams

Best Male Video
Johnny Cash, “Hurt”

The somewhat graphic nature of this video leaves a lasting impression. There’s definitely a reason why the video is up against artists like 50 Cent and Eminem. Johnny Cash’s video is strong and emotional, much like his music.
— W. M.

Best Female Video
Missy Elliott, “Work It”

Missy takes it, hands down And for all those who don’t like it, here are ten words for you: put my game down flip it and reverse it.
— R. W.

Best New Artist in a Video
Evanescence ft. Paul McCoy, “Bring Me To Life”

The presentation of this video is astounding. It makes you think you are watching a movie. The dark tones and the lead singer’s pale face hypnotically draw the viewer into this five-minute short-film.
— R. W.

Best Group Video
The White Stripes, “Seven Nation Army”

A group with only two members can certainly cause a lot of hype. The video is innovative, colorful and a marvel to experience.
— W. M.

Best Pop Video
Justin Timberlake, “Cry Me a River”

There was some speculation in the music world that this video was meant to serve as an open message to Timberlake’s ex, pop diva Britney Spears. Now isn’t that a little bit cold-hearted? Regardless of whether the young woman in the video was supposed to represent Britney or not, the video contains the kind of emotion to be expected from a broken-hearted pop star.
— W. M.

Best Rap Video
Nas, “I Can”

Nas brought hip-hop out of the trenches during a time when West-coast rap reigned supreme. This video shows why his undying versatility has made him such an influential artist.
— R. W.

Best Rock Video
Linkin Park, “Somewhere I Belong”

Linkin Park’s sophomore effort didn’t create as much buzz as the debut album, but this video was just as intriguing as any of the band’s others. It’s just weird, yet innovative, enough to snatch this award.
— R. W.

MTV2 Award
Interpol, “PDA”

Interpol managed to satisfy the musical tastes of rock fans across the country this year. The video is mind-boggling, full of special effects and completely unorthodox. It showcases a great band that has an enormous amount of style.

— W. M.