[photogallerylink id=40978 align=right]The 2011 MTV VMAs will have a new category this year, and it’s hard to not be a fan of it: Best Video With A Message. This new category highlights those artists that join music and social activism. Best Video With A Message artists are those whose videos made us think an extra second about the world we live in – addressing issues like bullying, LGBT rights, and domestic abuse.

High-fives to MTV/VMA execs for doing the right thing and recognizing the music videos that take the risk by shining a spotlight on issues that affect us all.

The inaugural nominees include 1025 favorites like [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Lady Gaga[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Katy Perry[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Eminem[/lastfm] feat. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Rihanna[/lastfm], and [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Pink[/lastfm].  [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Rise Against[/lastfm] and [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Taylor Swift[/lastfm] are also nominated.

You can vote for the “Best Video With a Message” through August 16th at MTV.com.

Click NEXT for the full list of nominees!