MTV Awards Set To Get Some Gangnam Style

The video for Psy's Gangnam Style, which became a viral hit on YouTube, is chasing one of the top honours at Sunday's MTV Europe Music Awards.

His internet hit is up for the Best Video award, after being viewed more than 680 million times and receiving a record-breaking 4.9 million "likes" on Facebook since being released in mid-July.

Rihanna is leading the nominations with nods in six categories including Best Song, Best Video and Best Female.

The Barbadian R&B singer is favourite for Best Song and Best Female, according to odds offered by bookmaker William Hill, while Gangnam Style is tipped to win Best Video.

The satirical video featuring Psy's horse-riding dance has sparked a wave of copycat versions from Eton schoolboys to Californian lifeguards.

It even caught the attention of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Psy will become the first South Korean artist to perform at the annual awards, one of the pop industry's biggest nights outside the United States, when he takes the stage at Frankfurt's Festhalle venue.

German model and presenter Heidi Klum will host the awards. She said she had been practising her Gangnam moves in case she gets called on to dance.

"My kids are obsessed with the song, even though it's Korean and they have no idea what he's talking about," she said ahead of the event.

Despite being billed as the Europe Music Awards, the vast majority of nominees are traditionally North American, and 2012 is no exception.

Other acts due to take the stage at the show include country singer Taylor Swift, 14-times Grammy winner Alicia Keys, The Killers and Carly Rae Jepsen.

Following close behind Rihanna, with five nominations is Swift, while other top nominees include Justin Bieber and Katy Perry, with four each.

Lady Gaga, who cleaned up last year with four prizes, is in the running for three awards.