NEW YORK - MTV has rid itself of gender-specific categories as the network revealed nominees Wednesday for this year's Video Music Awards, in which rapper Kendrick Lamar is in the lead.

In the age of President Donald Trump and the fierce backlash he has generated among cultural leaders, MTV also announced a new category of "Best Fight Against the System" to recognize activist music.

The awards will air worldwide from Los Angeles on Aug. 27. Reflecting its social media push, the music and youth culture network announced the nominations through posts by well-followed figures on Instagram.

Lamar, one of the most acclaimed figures in hip-hop, received the most nominations at eight, including Video of the Year for "HUMBLE." - an ironic look at fame.

Tied for second with five nominations are Katy Perry for her sci-fi amusement park fantasy "Chained to the Rhythm" and The Weeknd for his star-studded "Reminder."

The Video Music Awards for the first time will not divide by gender with a new Artist of the Year prize incorporating the top male and female categories.

The network said in a statement that it was out to "break barriers" and had a positive response when it eliminated gender groups at this year's MTV Movie and TV Awards.

Nominees for Artist of the Year include four men - Lamar and The Weeknd, along with Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran - and two women, Ariana Grande and Lorde.

Virtually all major US awards including the Grammys and Oscars have separate male and female categories.

Nominees for Best New Artist -- often a sign of fast-rising stardom -- were R&B singers SZA and Khalid, rappers Kodak Black and Young M.A., pop songwriter Julia Michaels and Noah Cyrus, the 17-year-old actress and sister of Miley Cyrus who is readying her debut album. - AFP