Drake heads MuchMusic Video nominations

Just two years into his music career, Toronto rapper Drake has raked in a leading seven nominations for next month's MuchMusic Video Awards.

The splashy June 20 awards gala will be held in Toronto just a few days after the 23-year-old newcomer releases his long-awaited debut album, Thank Me Later, on June 15.

He received a nod for best hip-hip video for the song Successful, and separate best international video nods for the singles Over and Forever, which also features verses by Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem.

Formerly an actor on Degrassi: The New Generation, Drake has skyrocketed to fame since recording with American rapper Lil Wayne in 2008.

He won two Juno Awards last month for best new artist and best rap recording, and was nominated for two 2010 Grammy Awards.

Vancouver pop rock band Hedley is running close behind him with six nominations, including best video. Winner of four MMVAs in 2008, the group performed its hit song Cha Ching at the closing ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Justin Bieber, the 16-year-old pop sensation from Stratford, Ont., made his entrance onto the MMVA shortlist with four nominations.

The best video competition will pit Billy Talent's Devil on My Shoulder and Danny Fernandes' Addicted against Hedley's Perfect, Nickelback's I'd Come For You and Summer Girl from Edmonton's Stereos rock band.

Other MMVA nominees include American performers Adam Lambert, Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus, who will host the awards show at MuchMusic headquarters on Toronto's Queen Street West.

Bieber, Cyrus and Perry will perform at the show, which will air live on the MuchMusic cable channel.