Rihanna, Taylor, Lil Wayne - all the pieces in place for another memorable Video Music Awards

There may be no baby bump to talk about this year, but given its track record, the MTV Video Music Awards will surely provide some water cooler moments when the show airs Thursday from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Last year, Beyonce set a tweets-per-second record on Twitter when she revealed her pregnancy. While that's a tough act to follow, there may be other opportunities to keep tongues wagging and fingers typing.

Nicki Minaj, who recently caused a stir with a rhyme endorsing Republican Mitt Romney for president, is set to perform with a special guest. Green Day is expected to perform despite lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong's recent trip to an emergency room.

Rihanna will kick off the show. She and Drake are the top nominees with five apiece.