TheMTV Video Music Awards (commonly abbreviated toVMAs) is an award show presented byMTV to honor the best in themusic video medium. The ceremony has often been called theSuper Bowl for youth, an acknowledgment of the VMA ceremony's ability to draw millions of youth from teens to 20-somethings each year.[1] By 2001, the VMA had become a coveted award.[2]
The statue given to winners is an astronaut on the Moon, one of the earliest representations of MTV, and was colloquially called a "moonman", though it has been called a "moon person" by MTV since the2017 ceremony. The statue was conceived byManhattan Design, who were also designers of the original MTV logo, based on the network's debutnetwork identification animation utilizingApollo 11 mission footage, created byFred Seibert and produced byAlan Goodman andBuzz Potamkin atBuzzco Associates. The statue is now made bySociety Awards, a New York City-based firm.[4] Since the2006 ceremony, viewers are able to vote for their favorite videos in all general categories.[5]
Jon Bon Jovi andRichie Sambora turned out a stripped-down acoustic performance of theBon Jovi hits "Livin' on a Prayer" and "Wanted Dead or Alive", and in the process possibly provided the inspirational spark forMTV Unplugged.[14][15] While theshowrunners have stated that it was already in development by the time of the event, they've also credited the pair's performance with influencing the show to go from initially being meant only for "young, up-and-coming artists" into being a simplified showcase for the "big, stadium, electric-arena-type acts".[16]
WhenMadonna won the Viewer's Choice Award (sponsored by Pepsi-Cola) for her "Like a Prayer" video, she thankedPepsi-Cola in her acceptance speech "for causing so much controversy". Pepsi-Cola had paid Madonna $5 million to appear in a commercial that would predominantly feature the world premiere of "Like a Prayer"; the commercial, titled "Make a Wish", depicted Madonna drinking Pepsi and watching a home video of her eighth birthday. The tone that the commercial sought to convey sharply contrasted with the music video. When Pepsi executives saw the video, they yanked the advertisement after only two airings, in an attempt to dissociate themselves from Madonna.[17] She also gave one of the most memorable performances of her hit "Express Yourself", as a preview of what would become herBlond Ambition World Tour.[14]
1990: at the1990 MTV Video Music Awards,Madonna performed her single "Vogue", which featured Madonna and her backup dancers dressed in an 18th-century French theme, with Madonna bearing great resemblance toMarie Antoinette. The performance consisted of both a dramatic historical reinterpretation of "Vogue" as well as her dramatically becorseted breasts.[18]
1991: during the award show the MTV Video Vanguard Award was renamed to theMichael Jackson Video Vanguard Award from then on, in honor of his contributions to the culture of music videos[19] by changing them from a promotional tool featuring musicians playing instruments and singing, to a "short film" with a storyline.[20]
Prince andThe New Power Generation performed their song "Gett Off" on aCaligula-esque set, with Prince dressed in a yellow mesh outfit which exposed his buttocks. His trousers were parodied numerous times throughout the following year, on the sketch comedy TV seriesIn Living Color, and even at the following year's VMAs by radioshock jockHoward Stern. It also marked the final TV appearance ofKiss withEric Carr prior to Carr's death in November 1991.
1992: in the1992 show, MTV requestedNirvana perform "Smells Like Teen Spirit", while the band itself had indicated it preferred to play new songs "Rape Me" and "tourette's". Network executives continued to push for "Teen Spirit" but finally offered the band a choice to play either "Teen Spirit" or "Lithium", which the band appeared to accept. At the performance, Nirvana began to play, andKurt Cobain played the first few chords of the song, "Rape Me", much to the horror of MTV execs, before continuing their regular performance of "Lithium". Near the end of the song, frustrated that his amplifier had stopped functioning, bassistKrist Novoselic decided to toss his bass into the air for dramatic effect. He misjudged the landing, and the bass ended up bouncing off of his forehead, forcing him to stumble off the stage in a daze.[23]
Backstage and before the show,Guns N' Roses vocalistAxl Rose challenged Cobain to a fight after he, his wife,Hole lead singerCourtney Love, and Nirvana bandmatesKrist Novoselic andDave Grohl egged him on. At the end of Nirvana's performance, while Cobain was trashing the band's equipment,Dave Grohl ran to the microphone and shouted "Hi, Axl! Where's Axl?" repeatedly. Guns N' Roses' video for theballad "November Rain" won the MTV Video Music Award for best cinematography. During the show, the band performed "November Rain" with singerElton John. Because of the dispute Rose had with Cobain, moments before the "November Rain" performance, Cobain spat on the keys of what he thought was Axl's piano. Cobain later revealed that he was shocked to see Elton John play on the piano he had spat on.[10] During the commercial break, the Alien 3 Pepsi commercial was shown.
Radio hostHoward Stern appeared asFartman, Stern's radio superhero, wearing a buttocks-exposing costume obviously inspired by Prince's outfit from the previous year. Stern was a presenter for best hard rock/metal performance with actorLuke Perry (after several other celebrities turned him down).
1993: at the1993 MTV Video Music Awards,Madonna opened the show in a gender-bending performance of her song "Bye Bye Baby", in which Madonna and her two backup singers, dressed in tuxedos and top hats, danced with women in corsets in a choreographed, highly sexual routine.[24]
RuPaul andMilton Berle, who had conflicts backstage, presented an award together. When Berle touched RuPaul's breasts, RuPaul ad-libbed the line "So you used to wear gowns, but now you're wearing diapers."[24]
RapperSnoop Dogg presented the Best R&B Video award withDr. Dre andGeorge Clinton. At the time, Snoop was wanted in connection with the week-old drive-by murder of an L.A. gang member.[24]
Recently betrothed coupleMichael Jackson andLisa Marie Presley received a standing ovation as they walked on stage hand-in-hand. After turning to the audience and proclaiming, "And just think, nobody thought this would last", Jackson grabbed Presley and kissed her.[26][27]
1995: at the1995 MTV Video Music Awards,Hole perform the song "Violet" from their major-label debut albumLive Through This. This was one of the first major televised performances given by frontwomanCourtney Love followingthe death of her husbandKurt Cobain and the death of her band's bassistKristen Pfaff in 1994. Before beginning the song, Love dedicated the performance to her husband and different people in the entertainment industry who had recently died: "This is for Kurt, and Kristen, andRiver, andJoe, and today Joni Abbott, this is for you." Abbott worked in the Talent Relations department at MTV and had recently committed suicide.[28] The song ended with Love throwing her guitar, knocking the microphone stand into the crowd and pushing over speaker-boxes with bandmateEric Erlandson before exiting the stage.[29] Love also caused a stir when she interrupted a post-ceremony interview withKurt Loder andMadonna by throwing her make-up compacts at the singer as they broadcast outside the awards venue.[30]
Michael Jackson performed for over 15 minutes to a medley of his main songs, including "Scream", and danced his signature moves, including the robot, moonwalk and the relatively unknown "Bankhead Bounce". While Slash accompanied Jackson and played guitar on "Black or White and the beginning of Billie Jean".[31] This performance was voted by the public as the Best VMA Pop Performance and Most Iconic VMA Performance in 2011 with more than half the votes.[32][33]
TLC was the big winner of the night won four awards, including "Viewer's Choice", "Best Group Video", and "Video of the Year" (Waterfalls).
Several weeks later, the public learned that Van Halen would not reunite with Roth. Roth released a statement apologizing to fans, stating that he was an unwitting participant in a publicity stunt to sell more copies of the greatest hits album,Best Of Vol. 1, and that he had been led to believe that he was rejoining Van Halen. The following day, Eddie andAlex Van Halen released a statement, stating that they had been honest with Roth, and never led him to believe that he had been re-hired.[citation needed]
During British bandOasis' performance at the show, lead vocalistLiam Gallagher made rude gestures at brotherNoel as he was playing his guitar solo, then spat beer all over the stage before storming off.[34]
TheSpice Girls, who won the best dance video award for their music video "Wannabe", wore a black strap on their left arms as a sign of grief because ofDiana, Princess of Wales'sdeath four days prior to the event.
While accepting the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist Video that year for "Sleep to Dream",Fiona Apple appealed to her audience not to be enamored ofcelebrity culture. She proclaimed, "this world is bullshit" and quotedMaya Angelou, saying "go with yourself". Though her comments were generally greeted with cheers and applause at the awards ceremony, the media backlash was huge. Some considered her remarks to be hypocritical, however she was unapologetic: "When I have something to say, I'll say it."[37][38][39]
Marilyn Manson performed the song "The Beautiful People", as the grand finale, and the video for this song was nominated for "Best Rock Video" and "Best Special Effects", marking one of the most significant performances for the band.[40]
1998: at the1998 MTV Video Music Awards, during the original broadcast of the show, a commercial faded in theNine Inch Nails NIN logo on a black screen while playing a combination of music that started as a solo piano piece and morphed into an electronic/industrial beat (which would later found out to be the songs "La Mer" and "Into the Void", which share many melodic components and can be considered variations on a theme) and ended withTrent Reznor screaming "Tried to save myself, but myself kept slipping away" and the word "ninetynine" in the trademark NIN reversed-N font. This was only shown once during the original broadcast, was edited out of all repeats.
At the red carpet, actressRose McGowan was wearing a see-through dress, no bra, and a thong,[42] whileMariah Carey andWhitney Houston poked fun at their rumored rift by wearing lookalike chocolate brown dresses byVera Wang. In an attempt to outdo each other, the singers tore off pieces of their dresses to reveal minidresses then staged a fauxcatfight that left the audience in disbelief. "People thought Whitney and I had some kind of beef", explained Carey.[43]
1999:Lil' Kim showed up at the1999 MTV Video Music Awards with an entire breast exposed and only a small pasty over the nipple. Kim's outfit became even more controversial later when she appeared on stage withDiana Ross andMary J. Blige to present the Best Hip-Hop Video award, and Ross reached over, cupped her hand under Kim's exposed breast and jiggled it while Kim laughed.[44]
During the following acceptance speech by theBeastie Boys, group memberAd-Rock addressed the instances of rape and sexual assault that occurred in the crowd at the recentWoodstock 1999 concert event. He pleaded to other musicians in the room to make a change in the way they treat fans at concerts; to pledge to talk with promoters and security to ensure "the safety of all the girls and the women who come to our shows".[45]
TLC won Best Group Video for "No Scrubs", receiving astanding ovation from the audience and artists. For the second year in a row, theBackstreet Boys took the Viewer's Choice Award for "I Want It That Way", a song they performed during the broadcast.
Before presenting the final award, a group ofdrag queens paid tribute to Madonna wearing her most iconic outfits with a medley of her hit songs. Madonna herself then appeared onstage and remarked, "All I have to say is that it takes a real man to fill my shoes." She then introducedPaul McCartney, who presented the Video of the Year to "some guy called Laurence Hill" (Lauryn Hill).
2000: at the2000 Video Music Awards,Limp Bizkit won the award for Best Rock Video. As vocalistFred Durst spoke,Rage Against the Machine bassistTim Commerford climbed onto the scaffolding of the set. Durst egged Commerford on, saying "Stage dive, dude" and "Take a dive", finally ending his speech with "and [Commerford]'s a pussy 'cause he won't jump". Commerford and hisbodyguard were sentenced to a night in jail. RATM vocalistZack de la Rocha reportedly left the awards after Commerford's stunt. RATM guitaristTom Morello recalled that Commerford related his plan to the rest of the band before the show, and that both de la Rocha and Morello advised him against it immediately after Bizkit was presented the award.[48][49]
Eminem performed his two singles "The Real Slim Shady" and "The Way I Am". The performance began with Eminem's single "The Real Slim Shady" which started outside theRadio City Music Hall on6th Avenue, Manhattan. Eminem continued his performance into the arena and was followed by a hundred Eminem 'clones' wearing white tank tops and baggy jeans with bleached blonde hair.[50]
At the end ofChristina Aguilera's performance, Durst walked onstage and performed part of his band's song "Livin' It Up" with Aguilera. After eliciting charged reactions from his fans, Durst stated: "I already told you guys before, I did it all for thenookie, man."[52] The feud died weeks later. Aguilera denied Durst's statement, saying Durst "got no nookie".[53]
Aguilera and Spears disproved rumors of a rivalry when they came onstage, holding hands, and introducedWhitney Houston. Houston, who had been targeted by the media for erratic behavior, canceled appearances, drug use rumors and being busted for carryingmarijuana at a Hawaii airport just a few months prior, came out to a standing ovation and introduced an award to Eminem with husbandBobby Brown, who was recently let out from jail. Houston revealed more erratic behavior, jumping up and down saying "free" in reference to Brown's recent jail release.Aaliyah would win two MTV Video Music Awards for Best Female Video and Best Video from a Film for"Try Again".[citation needed]
2001: at the2001 Video Music Awards,Britney Spears performed her single, "I'm a Slave 4 U". while dancing in a very revealing outfit, the performance featured the singer in a cage with atiger and briefly dancing with a realalbino snake on her shoulders. The inclusion of a tiger and a snake in the performance bought a great deal of criticism fromPETA.[51][54]
U2 had been set to perform a medley including "Elevation", "Beautiful Day" and "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of". The riser they were performing on lost power and MTV had to cut to several minutes of promos while everything was set up again. They lost power again and finally the band was lowered to the ground and performed without the riser. After the performance, lead singerBono explained that MTV "forgot to pay the electricity bill".[55]
The show paid tribute to theR&B singer/actressAaliyah, who was supposed to present an award butdied two weeks before in a plane crash. U2 paid tribute topunk-rock singerJoey Ramone, who died oflymphoma 4 months before.[56]
2002: in 2002,the VMAs took place onMichael Jackson's birthday, and as a tribute,Britney Spears introduced him saying she "considered him the artist of the millennium". Jackson said, "When I was a little boy growing up in Indiana if someone told me I'd be getting 'the artist of the millennium award,' I'd have never believed it."[57] A year later, at the2003 VMAs, this was parodied by presentersFred Durst andJack Black, with Durst stating that Black was the "funniest man alive".[51][58]
The Hives andThe Vines both performed on the night after the suddengarage rock revival during the year, with rumors spreading around that it was to be 'battle of the bands' performance. Once The Hives performed, singerHowlin' Pelle Almqvist said to the crowd "I know you want us to play more, but that's all the time we have for so you can turn off [your TV] now",[59] just before The Vines came on the bigger stage to perform their hit single "Get Free", ultimately destroying their set after their performance.
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog appeared and had a confrontation with Eminem. Eminem had a confrontation withMoby, who had called the rapper's musicmisogynistic andhomophobic. By that time, there were multiple boos from the crowd. The Best Male Video award was given to Eminem right after the confrontation with Triumph and Moby, and when Eminem went to stage to pick up the award, in the middle of his speech, he challenged Moby to fight if he continued to boo him.[60]
Christina Aguilera shocked the audience by wearing a skimpy outfit and heavy makeup, with a dirty look removing her good-girl image.[61] She was part of an awkward moment at the awards when presenting the Best Male Video Award to Eminem, who had insulted her in 2000.[62]
Canadian artistAvril Lavigne won her first award ever as Best New Artist in a Video, getting the record for the youngest artist so far to win this award at the age of 17. She kicked off the 2002 VMAs with a "Complicated" / "Sk8er Boi" pre-show performance and together withLisa Marie Presley they gave the award for Best Female Video toPink who was under the effects of alcohol during her acceptance speech.[60]
Axl Rose unveiled the new lineup ofNew Guns N' Roses. The band's set was the show's finale, and although the performance was meant to be kept a secret, some New York radio outlets announced the performance earlier in the day. The band played a set consisting of "Welcome to the Jungle", "Madagascar", and "Paradise City".[63]
2003: at the2003 Video Music Awards,Madonna played agroom kissing herbrides,Britney Spears andChristina Aguilera, on stage. The gender role-reversal andlesbian theme instantly made front-page headlines. The three singers performed amedley of her classic hit, "Like a Virgin", and her then latest release, "Hollywood", with a guest rap byMissy Elliott. A quick camera cut to the reaction ofJustin Timberlake, who dated Spears until 2002, also gained media attention.[64] The design resembled Madonna's performance of "Like a Virgin" at the1984 VMAs: the same wedding cake set, wedding dresses and "Boy Toy" belt worn by Madonna 19 years ago now adorned Aguilera and Spears.[65]
Beyoncé opened her performance by descending upside down from therafters at Radio City Music Hall. Knowles performed "Baby Boy" as she was gently lowered to the stage, dressed in harem pants. She was later joined byJay-Z as they performed their duet "Crazy in Love". The performance marked Knowles' solo debut.[66]
2005: at the2005 show,Green Day returned, taking home the Best Rock Video, Best Group Video, and Video of the Year Moonmen for "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", which they performed during the broadcast. They also took the Viewer's Choice award for "American Idiot".
The 2005 VMAs were the first to have a performance inSpanish, whenShakira performed her single "La Tortura" withAlejandro Sanz. It was also the first time that Spanish-language videos were nominated at the awards.[68]
Also at the show, while introducing thereggaeton spot,Fat Joe made a disparaging comment aboutG-Unit: "I'd like to tell the people home I feel so safe tonight with all this police protection courtesy of G-Unit...". Later in the show, after G-Unit's performance,50 Cent directed profanities at Fat Joe which were edited out before the shows airing although some broadcasts played the uncensored version of the show.[69] Reggaeton artistsDaddy Yankee,Tego Calderón andDon Omar performed.
ActressEva Longoria caused a stir when she appeared barely dressed to introduceMariah Carey.[70]Gwen Stefani andSnoop Dogg won best dressed female and male and received prizes to donate to a charity of their choice.[71]
Kelly Clarkson performed a high energy version of her song "Since U Been Gone" barefoot wearing a graphic belly top and capri pants. Clarkson moved through the crowd during the performance, which culminated in the singer getting sprayed with water. By the end of the song, she and a portion of the audience were soaking wet.[72]R. Kelly performed his rap opera, "Trapped in the Closet".[68]
Animated duoBeavis and Butt-head appeared in several Viewer's Choice award skits, saying to "Vote to put Beavis and Butt-head back on MTV!".[73] Rather belatedly, the TV show returned to MTV in 2011.
2006:Justin Timberlake opened the2006 Video Music Awards performing his singles "My Love" and "SexyBack". The awards were distributed evenly widespread all genres, as hip-hop, pop and rock artists alike all won Moonmen. 2006 was also the first time that viewers voted for all the performer's categories (Video of the Year, Best Male Video, Best Group Video, among others, except professional categories).[74]
2007: the2007 Video Music Awards was opened byBritney Spears performing her comeback single "Gimme More". To many, Spears failed to live up to the pre-show hype. She wore black sequined lingerie and put in less energy than her previous performances.[75][76] The performance was called "career crippling".[44]
Kid Rock andTommy Lee were involved in an altercation duringAlicia Keys's performance. Lee was sitting with magicianCriss Angel when the two went to visitDiddy, who was sitting close to Kid Rock. Kid Rock allegedly punched Tommy Lee in the face. The two were broken up, and both were escorted from the resort. Angel was removed a short time later.[77]
2008: the2008 Video Music Awards were opened byBritney Spears which welcomed everybody to the 25-year anniversary of the Video Music Awards. Barbadian singerRihanna opened the show with her song "Disturbia" in a very revealing black leather outfit. After 16 nominations,Britney Spears finally won her first VMA, taking Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, and Video of the Year for "Piece of Me", considered as Spears' comeback.[citation needed]
HostRussell Brand commented on Democratic presidential nomineeBarack Obama, begging the audience to vote for him. Brand called PresidentGeorge W. Bush a "retarded cowboy" and claimed Bush "wouldn't be trusted with a pair of scissors in Britain".[78]
Russell Brand also made comments on theJonas Brothers for wearingpurity rings. Brand later faced criticism for his swipes at the trio. He confirmed his apology at theMTV Video Music Awards 2009 by saying "I upset the Jonas Brothers last year, I had to say sorry to them and they forgave me. They had to, they're Christians." During her introduction of T.I. and Rihanna's performance,Jordin Sparks, who also wears a purity ring, defended the boy-band by saying "It's not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody, guy or girl, wants to be a slut." Sparks was in turn criticized for implying that those who do not wear purity rings or do not abstain are promiscuous.[79]
2009: at the2009 Video Music Awards, singer-songwriterTaylor Swift won Best Female video for "You Belong with Me". During her acceptance speech, rapperKanye West unexpectedly showed up on stage. Taking the microphone from Swift, he announced "Yo Taylor, I'm really happy for you, and Imma let you finish, butBeyoncé had one of the best videos of all time. One of the best videos of all time!".[80][81] MTV cut away from the stage (showing Beyoncé with a shocked and disapproved look) after West gave the microphone back to Swift and giving the middle finger to the audience as they started booing him off stage, and so Swift did not finish her speech. West was removed for the rest of the show. However, when Beyoncé won Video of the Year for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", she called Swift back on stage to "have her moment" (finishing her speech from winning Best Female Video). In an off-the-record portion of an interview the following day, PresidentBarack Obama called West a "jackass" for his antics.[82] During a post-interview, Jay-Z admitted West was wrong to go on stage, but he thought people were overreacting to the incident.[83]
Madonna opened the show talking about her experiences withMichael Jackson. After her speech, a Michael Jackson tribute commenced, includingJanet Jackson performing the duet "Scream". The show closed with a sneak preview of Michael Jackson'sThis Is It movie.[84]
At the show's red carpet, Colombian singerShakira and American singerPink attended with the same dress. Both singers took it humorously and posed together for the paparazzi.
Lady Gaga later performed her song "Paparazzi" and shocked the audience when she appeared to bleed out on stage. It was actually a contraption in her outfit.[85]Beyoncé performed her song "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" with over two dozen female dancers dancing with her.[86]Pink performed her single "Sober" while doing a trapeze act during the entire performance while singing live.
RapperLil Mama jumped on stage asJay-Z andAlicia Keys performed "Empire State of Mind".[87] Lil Mama later apologized.[88] During an interview with New York Radio DJAngie Martinez, Jay-Z said that he thought the unrehearsed move was something similar to the West and Swift incident.[88]
Beyoncé, Lady Gaga andGreen Day were the big winners of the night, with three awards each.[86]
Lady Gaga won eight awards, including Video of the Year, Best Female Video, and Best Pop Video for "Bad Romance"; she also won Best Collaboration for "Telephone" withBeyoncé. Upon accepting her Video of the Year award, Gaga wore adress made entirely of raw meat, which drew criticism fromPETA.[93] While accepting her Video of the Year award,Lady Gaga announced the title of her next album,Born This Way, and sang the chorus of its title track and lead single.Justin Bieber won Best New Artist, making him the second youngest Canada-born artist to ever win a VMA (first being Avril Lavigne in 2002).[94]
Overall, the show grabbed 11.4 million viewers—the largest audience for an MTV Video Music Awards since2002, and until2011's new record.[95]
2011: the2011 MTV Video Music Awards returned to theNokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. In the entire history of the show, this was the third time no host was scheduled, althoughKevin Hart, who would receive the position a year later, delivered an opening monologue.
The tribute toBritney Spears included performances by young talents, who danced to various hit singles by Spears including "...Baby One More Time" and "Till the World Ends". After the tribute,Lady Gaga went onstage to present Spears theMichael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.[96] While accepting her award she and Gaga (dressed as her alter ego Joe Calderone) teased a kiss. Spears rejected the exchange saying, "I've done that already", referring to her liplock with Madonna at the 2003 show.[97]
DuringKanye West andJay Z's surprise performance of "Otis", a man attempted to rush the stage but was quickly taken off by security.[98]
Katy Perry andKanye West won the Award for Best Video for a Collaborative Single. As they went onstage to receive the award, Perry made a reference to West's incident withTaylor Swift two years back. This was the first award Perry won in four years of being nominated.[99]
Prior to her performance,Beyoncé announced on the red carpet that she and husband/rapperJay Z were expecting a child. Straight after Beyoncé finished performing her song "Love on Top", she also revealed again that she was pregnant by showing off her baby bump and rubbing it. That evening, Beyoncé set the record for the most mentions onTwitter per second (with 8,868) and helped this year's VMAs become the most-watched broadcast in MTV history, pulling in 12.4 million viewers.[100]
Katy Perry won three awards including Video of the Year for "Firework", and Lady Gaga won two awards, including the new category Best Video With a Message for "Born This Way".[102]
2012: The2012 MTV Video Music Awards aired live from theStaples Center in Los Angeles, California on September 6, 2012. British boy bandOne Direction was the big winner of the night receiving Best New Artist, Best Pop Video, and Most Share Worthy Video.Rihanna won the Video of the Year Award for "We Found Love".
2013: For the2013 MTV Video Music Awards, MTV redesigned its moonman statue[103] for one year only due to the ceremony's being held inBrooklyn for the first time. Brooklyn-based artistKAWS usedMichelin Man as inspiration to redesign the image of the renownedMTV moonman.Barclays Center, which served as the venue for the2013 show, was decorated also by KAWS, themed around the redesigned moonman. The 2013 VMAs also marked the fourth time in the award show's history that a host had not been appointed for the annual event.[104]Lady Gaga opened the ceremony, performing her single "Applause". During the performance, Gaga changed three times on stage and gave a tribute to her past eras (The Fame,The Fame Monster andBorn This Way). At the end, Gaga came on stage wearing nothing but a seashell bikini.
Miley Cyrus' performance of her song "We Can't Stop" featured the former Disney star entering the stage through a giant teddy bear wearing a one-piece bodice with a teddy bear design on it. The singer performed with a group of female backup dancers dressed as giant bears before singerRobin Thicke joins with Cyrus on stage to perform his single "Blurred Lines". Cyrus then stripped down to a nude-colored lingerie and proceeded to perform her signaturetwerking dance moves, simulating sex with Thicke and grabbing his crotch with a giant foam finger.[105] The unimpressed reactions of several celebrity audience members, includingRihanna and members ofOne Direction, also gained attention in the media.[106]
Justin Timberlake's "Mirrors" won Video of the Year, making him the first male solo artist to win this category since Eminem in 2002 with "Without Me". Timberlake also became the second artist to be honored with theVideo Vanguard Award and win Video of the Year in the same night, afterPeter Gabriel did it in 1987. To celebrate his Video Vanguard Award, Timberlake performed a 15-minute medley performance, which included a mini-reunion with his former band*NSYNC.[107] The set list of the most watched performance of the night[108] included hit singles from his first four solo albums, such as "Cry Me a River", "SexyBack" and "Suit & Tie".
Nicki Minaj ended her acceptance speech forBest Hip-Hop Video by passing the show back to Cyrus, saying: "And now, back to this bitch who had a lot to say about me the other day in the press: Miley, What's good?".[115] Minaj was referring to Cyrus' comments about how she handled "Anaconda" being snubbed for a Video of the Year nomination. Cyrus appeared stunned by Minaj's remarks and replied, "We're all in this industry. We all do interviews and we all know how they manipulate shit. Nicki, congratu-fuckin-lations."[115] The camera then cut back to Minaj who seemed to mouth back the word "bitch".[115] Cyrus closed the show by performing along with a group ofdrag queens who participated onRuPaul's Drag Race and surprisingly released her fifth studio albumMiley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz for free.[116]
2016: the2016 show was held at theMadison Square Garden inManhattan.Rihanna performed four times during the show, including opening and closing the ceremony. After her final performance, Rihanna was presented the Video Vanguard Award byDrake, who declared, "She's someone I've been in love with since I was 22 years old."[117] While accepting her award, Drake leaned in for a kiss that Rihanna dodged.[118]Britney Spears returned to perform at the VMAs for the first time since her heavily criticized performance at the 2007 show.[118]Kanye West gave a seven-minute long speech covering different topics, including his feud withTaylor Swift.[119]
Beyoncé performed a 16-minute medley of her albumLemonade and won eight awards, including Video of the Year for "Formation".[118][120] She became the most awarded artist in VMA history with 24 moonmen, surpassing Madonna's previous record of 20.[120] The telecast saw a drop in audience for third year in a row.[121]
2017: the2017 show was hosted byKaty Perry.Kendrick Lamar won six awards, including Video of the Year for "Humble", becoming the first artist to have won the award for a video he co-directed, whilePink was honored with the Video Vanguard Award.[122]Jared Leto paid tribute toChester Bennington andChris Cornell, who both died over the past three months.[123] The music video forTaylor Swift's song "Look What You Made Me Do" premiered during the broadcast.[122] Compared to the previous year, viewership was down from 6.5 million to 5.4 million viewers, making it the lowest viewed VMAs sinceNielsen started measuring the show in 1994.[124]
At the start ofFifth Harmony's performance there were five silhouettes; one of them fell off the stage, referencing former group memberCamila Cabello leaving the group the previous year.[125]
Logic performed his song "1-800-273-8255" along withAlessia Cara andKhalid. Their stage was outlined with survivors of suicide loss and attempts, who wore T-shirts that had the phone number on the front and the phrase "You Are Not Alone" written on the back. During their performance, Logic gave a speech about thanking the audience for giving him a platform to talk about the issues "that mainstream media doesn't want to talk about: mental health, anxiety, suicide, depression".[126] He further added, "I don't give a damn if you're black, white, or any color in between. I don't care if you're Christian, you're Muslim, you're gay, you're straight – I am here to fight for your equality, because I believe that we are all born equal, but we are not treated equally and that is why we must fight."[126] Following the performance, theNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline experienced a 50% increase in calls.[126]
2018:Cardi B, the most nominated artist of the night, opened the2018 show with a brief speech, holding a VMA like a baby.[127] While receiving one of her awards, Cardi B stated, "all the love.. it's genuine, it's beautiful, and that's something that God give me that you can't buy. B-tch."[128]Camila Cabello won Video of the Year for "Havana" andJennifer Lopez received the Vanguard Award.[129] WithMaluma among the performers as well, it marked the VMAs with the most Latin music artists present at the ceremony since the 2005 show.[130]
Before introducing Cabello's category,Madonna gave a tribute to the lateAretha Franklin. Most of the speech said the early origins of Madonna's career and was only tangentially Franklin-related,[131] which made critics describe the "bizarre" tribute as a "lengthy" anecdote about herself that involved Franklin's music.[132][133][134] Afterwards, Madonna explained that she was there to give the Video of the Year award as asked by MTV and to speak about some experience in her career with some connection with Aretha, not to make any kind of tribute.[135]
The viewership of the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards was down 9% overall and 15% in the important 18- to 49-year-old demographic group. The total viewership was 4.8 million.[136]
2020: The2020 MTV Video Music Awards were held on August 30, 2020. The show was originally scheduled to take place at theBarclays Center inBrooklyn, New York City, but was moved outdoors because of security concerns caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic.[152] Instead, the 37th annual ceremony would "highlight the boroughs in an exciting show and return to Barclays Center in 2021".[153] For the first time in its history the VMAs were simulcast on over-the-air television onThe CW, which is jointly owned by MTV parent companyViacomCBS andAT&T parent companyWarnerMedia.[154]
Lady Gaga received the first-ever (and only thus far as of 2024) Tricon Award, introduced byBella Hadid. After giving her speech, Gaga performed a medley of her songs, including "Chromatica II"/"911", "Stupid Love" and "Rain on Me", the latter performed withAriana Grande. Grande also won four awards, including Song of the Year and Best Collaboration.
The show was dedicated to actorChadwick Boseman, who died less than 48 hours before the ceremony due to colon cancer.
2021: The2021 MTV Video Music Awards were held September 12, 2021, at theBarclays Center inBrooklyn, New York City, for the first time in eight years.[155] The award show also served as a celebration of MTV's 40th anniversary. An opening monologue was delivered byMadonna.[156] ArtistKehinde Wiley redesigned the year's moonperson trophy, marking the third time that the statue had been transformed and the first from an artist of African-American descent.[157][158]
Lil Nas X won three awards for "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)", including Video of the Year and Best Direction. He became the second artist and first LGBTQ+ artist to win both categories for a video they co-directed. He jokingly thanked thegay agenda in his acceptance speech.[160]
Olivia Rodrigo andJustin Bieber also received awards in big categories, winning Song of the Year and Artist of the Year respectively.BTS won three awards, winning Group of the Year for the third consecutive time, in addition to Best K-Pop and Song of Summer for "Butter".[161]
2022:Taylor Swift announced the release of her tenth studio albumMidnights during her Video of the Year award acceptance speech. Swift also became the first ever artist to win Video of the Year three times.
Nicki Minaj won theMichael Jackson Video Vanguard award that night and performed a 9-minute medley of her hits including "Anaconda," "Super Bass", "Monster", "Beez in the Trap", and her newest hit "Super Freaky Girl" along with other songs. The award was presented by five members of herfan club the Barbz. In her acceptance speech, Minaj shouted out multiple people who had inspired her and people who have given her big opportunities early in her career including Madonna,Eminem,Britney Spears,Lil Wayne,Drake,Taylor Swift,Beyoncé,Rihanna, and more who had help boost the popularity of her 2011 hit, "Super Bass". Minaj also said that she wished musiciansWhitney Houston andMichael Jackson were there to witness her.[162] She also paid respects to her father, Robert Maraj, who died in a tragichit-and-run accident in 2021. She said she wished people took mental health more seriously. Minaj thanked the Barbz, told the audience about her son, nicknamed Papa Bear, and announced her first greatest hits album,Queen Radio Vol. 1.
Harlow opened the show with a performance of his single, "First Class". The performance took place on an airplane with Harlow acting as anattendant. Several celebrities were seated in the plane including Lil Nas X,Saucy Santana,Avril Lavigne, and more. The plane "landed" at the award show and mocked a red carpet interview, with Harlow saying "Ladies and Gentlemen,Fergie!". Fergie had come out onstage to perform her 2007 hit "Glamorous" which "First Class" samples, marking her first televised performance since her controversial performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the2018 NBA All Star Game. The performance ended with Fergie and Harlow hugging.
Anitta becomes the first Brazilian singer to win a category at the MTV Video Music Awards.
2023:NSYNC reunited for the first time in 10 years at the ceremony, to present the award forBest Pop, which was toTaylor Swift's "Anti-Hero". Swift acknowledged that she still has the 'N Sync dolls, referencing the "It's Gonna Be Me" music video, and they gave her friendship bracelets.
Shakira was awarded with theMichael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, performing a medley of her hits. She became the first South-American born artist to receive the award. Later, Shakira andKarol G won theBest Collaboration award, for "TQG", making the first time a Spanish-language video and a Latin female collaboration won the award.
Taylor Swift won Video of the Year for a second consecutive year for "Anti-Hero", making her the artist with the most wins (four) in this category.
2024: The ceremony was originally scheduled to take place on September 10, 2024, but was pushed back by a day to avoid an overlap with thepresidential debate betweenDonald Trump andKamala Harris.
Taylor Swift won seven awards, including Video of the Year and Artist of the Year, breaking the record for most awards won overall, with thirty wins since 2009. Her Video of the Year win for "Fortnight" extended her record for the most wins and most consecutive wins in this category, with five wins and three years respectively.
Best New Artist (awarded as Best New Artist in a Video from 1984 to 2006, Artist to Watch from 2013 to 2015, and Push Best New Artist in 2020)
Push Performance of the Year
Best Group (awarded as Best Group Video from 1984 to 2007)
Best Collaboration (awarded as Most Earthshattering Collaboration in 2007)
Best Pop (awarded as Best Pop Video from 1999 to 2016)
Best Rock (awarded as Best Heavy Metal Video in 1989, Best Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Video from 1990 to 1995, Best Hard Rock Video in 1996, and Best Rock Video from 1997 to 2016)
Best Hip-Hop (awarded as Best Hip-Hop Video from 1999 to 2016)
Best R&B (awarded as Best R&B Video from 1993 to 2006)
Best Alternative (awarded as Best Alternative Video from 1991 to 1998)
Best Latin (awarded as Best Latino Artist from 2010 to 2013)
Video for Good (awarded as Best Video with a Message from 2011 to 2012, Best Video with a Social Message from 2013 to 2015, Best Fight Against the System in 2017, and Video with a Message in 2018)
The following awards have special significance and are not necessarily awarded annually.[197]
Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award (awarded as the Video Vanguard Award from 1984 to 1990, 2006, awarded as the Lifetime Achievement an Award in 1994 and 2003)
Global Icon Award was introduced in2021 and it is awarded to bands and musicians with “an unparalleled career and continued influence” and has achieved “global success in music and beyond.”
Push Artist of the Year (2018–2019; merged withBest New Artist in 2020)
Best Power Anthem (2019)
Best Dance (1989–2019; awarded as Best Dance Video from 1989 to 2006, Best Dancing in a Video in 2008, Best Dance Music Video in 2010, Best Electronic Dance Music Video in 2012, MTV Clubland Award in 2014, Best Electronic Video in 2016)
The MTV Video Music Awards have been described as a prominent event in the mainstreammusic industry since its inauguration. However, some publications such asThe Washington Post andHuffPost opined that the stature of the ceremony had declined by 2019.[198][199]HuffPost cited reasons such as a lack of interest (declining attendances and viewership: in 2019 ratings hit an all-time low for the third straight year),[200] lack of musical diversity, lack of celebrity, lack of credibility,[199] and access to music online.[198]The Washington Post states, "The moment the VMAs ceased to matter might have happened in 2014, when Drake didn't bother appearing to receive his award. Or maybe it was even earlier than that: The Associated Press compared the energy of the VMAs to the scripted reality-TV showCribs all the way back in 2006."[198] MTV has also faced criticism for devoting most of its airtime outside the VMAs to reality shows and dramas, with music videos mainly airing in off-peakgraveyard slots to suffice the minimum amount of music programming in the network's carriage agreements.[199]
Ratings are not available prior to 1994 because MTV was not subscribing toNielsen Media Research's program ratings prior to 1994.[201] The field "Cumulative viewers" shows the audience of the live simulcasts of the ceremony across many ViacomCBS channels as a whole.
"Alívio Imediato" (1); "Refrão de Bolero" (1); "O Exército de um Homem Só" (1); "Parabólica" (1); "A Promessa" (1); "A Montanha" (1); "Eu Que Não Amo Você" (1); "Negro Amor" (1); "3a do Plural" (1); "Até o Fim" (1)
"Perplexo" (1); "Caleidoscópio" (1); "Trac Trac" (1); "Uma Brasileira"* (1); "Lourinha Bombril" (1); "La Bella Luna" (1); "Ela Disse Adeus" (1); "Depois da Queda o Coice" (1); "Aonde Quer Que Eu Vá" (1); "Cuide Bem do Seu Amor" (1)
Artist of the Year (for Eilish); "Bad Guy" (5); Best New Artist (for Eilish); "Hostage" (1); Push Artist of the Year (for Eilish); "When the Party's Over" (1)
^Mico, Nate (September 13, 2010)."Can you Handler this?".blaze.gaynewsnetwork.com.au. Evolution Publishing. Archived fromthe original on September 18, 2010. RetrievedSeptember 20, 2010.
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