Kanye, Drake, Nicki Minaj Duke It Out For Best Hip-Hop VMA Kanye and Jay-Z, YMCMB or Childish Gambino: Who will own bragging rights in the competitive category?

It'll be hard to pick a favorite in the Best Hip-Hop Video category at the 2012 Video Music Awards, it just depends on what you like.

If you're into over-the-top bar mitzvahs with your bubby and Lil Weezy, then Drake's "HYFR" is for you. Or if you prefer a good-old-fashioned Paris party, then clearly you're more of a Watch the Throne type. Whatever your preference, between Nicki Minaj's "Beez in the Trap," Kanye West's "Mercy," The Throne's "Paris," Drake's "HYFR" and Childish Gambino's "Heartbeat," there's something for every rap fan.

Voting is open now but to find out who'll win, you'll have to wait until Thursday, September 6, at 8 p.m. ET, when the 29th annual MTV VMAs kick off live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The soulful Alicia Keys and VMA newcomers One Direction are set to perform, and the full list of VMA nominees is online now!

Drake, who leads all nominees with five nods really did the unexpected with Director X for his "HYFR" video. Instead of going to the club like every other rapper, Drizzy took his party to the synagogue, where he professed his Jewish faith alongside his real familia and his Cash Money fam, Birdman and Lil Wayne.

Kanye West and Jay-Z took their show on the road and filmed a live video for their inescapable jam "Paris," but the Throne's concert-clip had a kaleidoscopic effect. The pair of rap kings combined live footage with stunning visual effects to give their catchy tune a twist.

Yeezy took a different approach when he linked with his G.O.O.D. Music pals, Pusha T, Big Sean and 2 Chainz, for their "Mercy" video. The stunning black-and-white visual features well-choreographed interactions between the (better than) G.O.O.D. MCs, and while 'Ye might not be front and center throughout the whole clip, Swag King Cole makes sure his presence is felt.

Childish Gambino's "Heartbeat" is the dark horse of the category, only because the actor-turned-rapper is up against such established rap acts. It may be an uphill battle for Donald Glover, but the underground spitter has already won over tons of fans with his open and emotional clip for his fist-pumping breakup ode.

Last year it was Nicki Minaj who won the VMA for Best Hip-Hop Video for "Super Bass," and if rap's reigning queen and her legion of Barbz have anything to say about it, Roman very well be reclaiming her crown this year. In Nick's "Beez in the Trap," the YMCMB superstar recruits 2 Chainz and hits the strip-club to shake her money-maker. Sounds like a winner to us, but ultimately it's up to you, the fans.

Beginning today (July 31), viewers can vote for general VMA categories, including Video of the Year, Best New Artist and more, by visiting VMA.MTV.com or m.mtv.com on their mobile phone. In addition, Best New Artist is available for voting via all wireless carrier subscribers by texting BNA to 22444 or by visiting MTV's official Facebook page.

The 2012 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Head to VMA.MTV.com now through August 24 to vote for your favorites, or text BNA to 22444 to vote for Best New Artist all the way through the show!