The MTV Video Music Awards are back and bigger than ever!
When do the VMAs happen? September 11 at 8/7c at New York's UBS Arena.
How can I watch the VMAs? PARAMOUNT+! Stock up on snacks and grab your blanket, you’re in for a treat.
Let’s take a look at nominees, contenders, performances, and more in the ultimate VMA scoop.
Katy Perry’s Legacy
The legendary Katy Perry is being honored with the prestigious Video Vanguard Award. Her impact on the industry has been phenomenal, and there is no denying she is one of the best in the business.
Her accolades are many! She is the biggest-selling female artist in Capitol Records history and one of only 12 to pass 100 million certified units with her solo singles.
Katy is also the first artist in RIAA history to have three Diamond singles: Firework, Dark Horse, and Roar - and we bet you can sing them all word for word.
Altogether, she has seven Diamond-certified titles to her name, a monumental achievement. Go Katy!
Nominee Profiles: The Top Contenders
Can Taylor remain the queen of pop? Will Eminem scoop it? Or will Sabrina Carpenter need a little Espresso after giving an acceptance speech? Who knows!
Artist of the Year:
- Taylor Swift: With 12 nominations this year, Taylor continues to dominate the industry - as per.
- SZA: Following the massive success of SOS, SZA is likely to take home something!
- Ariana Grande: Up for a few awards, Ari is one to watch.
- Bad Bunny: This Latin music icon continues to break barriers - sure to walk away with an award.
- Sabrina Carpenter: Espresso and Please, Please, Please have set her up for success - the questions isn't will she win, it is how many.
- Eminem: With 8 nominations, including for his hit Houdini, Eminem’s legacy in hip-hop remains unmatched - he already knocked Taylor of the Billboard top spot earlier this year!
Best New Artist is always a category to watch closely. This year, Tyla and Teddy Swims are making big waves, but don’t count out Gracie Abrams or Shaboozey.
For anyone who reads our SongsBrew newsletter, you’ll know that Shaboozey, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar have been on repeat for the marketing team!
Background on the VMAs: What Makes This Night Special?
Since 1984, the VMAs have been known for jaw-dropping performances and moments that define pop culture. Madonna’s Like A Virgin performance or Britney Spears and the python (who could forget this one), the VMAs are all about pushing boundaries.
This year, things are being taken up a notch. Dick Clark Productions has promised a “wholly reimagined” show, with performances taking place at multiple global locations and in bespoke venues, making it a truly international celebration of music.
Paramount+ will be your go-to streaming platform to watch the VMAs live, with fans from around the world tuning in for what’s sure to be an epic night.
And with exclusive behind-the-scenes content and performances across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, you’ll be getting more access than ever before.
How to Stream and Vote: Be a Part of the Action!
Getting involved with the VMAs is easier than ever, whether you’re streaming the show or voting for your favorite artists.
Voting is currently open for categories like Best New Artist, and you can head over to MTV’s Instagram Stories to vote for Best Group. Keep an eye on the polls for Song of Summer, which opens on September 6, and for VMAs Most Iconic Performance, opening September 10.
Of course, you can catch all the action on PARAMOUNT+, starting at 8/7c on September 11. With a digital-first focus this year, you won’t want to miss a single moment, from the red carpet to the final award presentation.
For Song of the Summer we have our money on Sabrina Carpenter!
The Performers You Can’t Miss
What’s a VMA show without some jaw-dropping performances? This year’s lineup is being rolled out, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet.
Katy Perry will be gracing the stage, and we expect nothing less than a larger-than-life performance from the Video Vanguard honoree.
Expect performances from Anitta, Benson Boone, Camila Cabello, Chappell Roan, GloRilla, Halsey, KAROL G, Lenny Kravitz, LISA, LL COOL J, Megan Thee Stallion, Rauw Alejandro, Sabrina Carpenter, and Shawn Mendes. With such a diverse lineup, every genre is covered, making sure this year’s show will be one for all music lovers.
Exclusive Access: Be the First to Know
The VMAs are heavily leaning into fan interaction this year. Something we saw with the Billboard x Spotify collaboration last year.
Thanks to partnerships with brands like Spotify (who are everywhere right now), fans will have exclusive opportunities to interact with their favorite artists in cool new ways.
From live-streaming performances to BTS content , fans are getting unprecedented access. Yay!
MTV’s social media channels will be packed with content you won’t want to miss, including live reactions, exclusive performances, and fan-driven content.
Whether you're following along on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, there will be plenty of ways to stay plugged into the VMAs, no matter where you are.
Who Is Nominated For What?
Not only have we listed all of the nominees, but we’ve added links to songs and albums for you. Enjoy!
Song of Summer (Voting opens September 6)
Ariana Grande – we can't be friends (wait for your love)
Benson Boone – Beautiful Things
Billie Eilish – BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Charli XCX & Billie Eilish – Guess (featuring Billie Eilish)
Eminem – Houdini
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like That
GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion – Wanna Be
Hozier – Too Sweet
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
Sabrina Carpenter – Please, Please, Please
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
SZA – Saturn
Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – Fortnight
Tommy Richman – MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Who are you voting for? We’ve been enjoying a lot of these the last few weeks! And, are there any surprises on the list for song of the summer?
VMAs Most Iconic Performance (Voting opens September 10)
Beyoncé – Love On Top
Eminem – The Real Slim Shady / The Way I Am
Katy Perry – Roar
Lady Gaga – Paparazzi
Madonna – Like A Virgin
Madonna, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliott – Like A Virgin / Hollywood
Taylor Swift – You Belong With Me
You can check out all of the performances on the MTV YouTube Channel!
Video of the Year
Ariana Grande – we can't be friends (wait for your love)
Billie Eilish – LUNCH
Doja Cat – Paint The Town Red
Eminem – Houdini
SZA – Snooze
Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – Fortnight
This one might be tough. Doja Cat’s Paint The Town Red has the internet on fire with comments and shares, but the editing on Houdini is something pretty special!
Artist of the Year
Ariana Grande
Bad Bunny
Eminem
Sabrina Carpenter
SZA
Taylor Swift
This could be a close call; Taylor and Ariana are tried and true pop superstars, while Sabrina Carpenter is fresh on the scene. SZA and Eminem are incredible choices, but will Bad Bunny scoop it?
This one is HARD to call. Who are you bet on?
Song of the Year
Beyoncé – TEXAS HOLD'EM
Jack Harlow – Lovin On Me
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – Fortnight
Teddy Swims – Lose Control
Teddy and Jack had TikTok on fire with these tracks; everyone was puttin’ lovin on something, or belting out along to Lose Control.
Bey, true to form, broke barriers and boundaries with TEXAS HOLD’EM and the album COWBOY CARTER.
Espresso was another social media wildfire, and Not Like Us knocked Drake off the top spot quick-smart. The game-changing track is Not Like Us, but the favorite of the public? Yet to be seen!
PUSH Performance of the Year
Kalii – Area Codes (August 2023)
GloRilla – Lick or Sum (September 2023)
Benson Boone – In The Stars (October 2023)
Coco Jones – ICU (November 2023)
Victoria Monét – On My Mama (December 2023)
Jessie Murph – Wild Ones (January 2024)
Teddy Swims – Lose Control (February 2024)
Chappell Roan – Red Wine Supernova (March 2024)
Flyana Boss – yeaaa (April 2024)
Laufey – Goddess (May 2024)
LE SSERAFIM – EASY (June 2024)
The Warning – Automatic Sun (July 2024)
Our money is on Chappel Roan or Teddy Swims! What about you?
Best Collaboration
Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA – Rich Baby Daddy
GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion – Wanna Be
Jessie Murph feat. Jelly Roll – Wild Ones
Jung Kook feat. Latto – Seven
Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – Fortnight
We’ve had some amazing collaborations this year, but Posty and Taylor might take this one!
Best Pop
Camila Cabello
Dua Lipa
Olivia Rodrigo
Sabrina Carpenter
Tate McRae
Taylor Swift
The names on the grapevine for this one are Taylor or Sabrina.
Best Hip-Hop
Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA – Rich Baby Daddy
Eminem – Houdini
GloRilla – Yeah Glo!
Gunna – fukumean
Megan Thee Stallion – BOA
Travis Scott feat. Playboi Carti – FE!N
BOA was incredible, and so was Houdini - but will Rich Baby Daddy take this one? Take a listen and see which one you think is the best!
Best R&B
Alicia Keys – Lifeline
Muni Long – Made For Me
SZA – Snooze
Tyla – Water
USHER, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – Good Good
Victoria Monét – On My Mama
Water had millions of people desperately trying to dance to it on TikTok… not to mention it is catchy as heck!
Best Alternative
Benson Boone – Beautiful Things
Bleachers – Tiny Moves
Hozier – Too Sweet
Imagine Dragons – Eyes Closed
Linkin Park – Friendly Fire
Teddy Swims – Lose Control (Live)
Linkin Park has a lot of love, and it is nice to see them on the awards, but Hozier Too Sweet and Teddy Swims Lose Control were everywhere!
Best Rock
Bon Jovi – Legendary
Coldplay – Feels Like I'm Falling in Love
Green Day – Dilemma
Kings of Leon – Mustang
Lenny Kravitz – Human
U2 – Atomic City
Some absolutely mammoth names on this list. Kings of Leon recently released a long-awaited album - Can We Please Have Fun, and Mustang is one of the best tracks on there.
But Bon Jovi, U2, and Greenday are colossal in terms of music and fan base. This would be a tough call, but could you really call Coldplay Rock?
Best K-Pop
Jung Kook feat. Latto – Seven
LISA – Rockstar
NCT DREAM – Smoothie
NewJeans – Super Shy
Stray Kids – LALALALA
Tomorrow x Together – Deja Vu
We heard that Jung Kook is the one to watch…
Best Afrobeats
Ayra Starr feat. Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
Burna Boy – City Boys
Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay – Sensational
Tems – Love Me JeJe
Tyla – Water
USHER, Pheelz – Ruin
Tems, Burna Boy AND Tyla? Wouldn’t like to guess this one!
Best Latin
Anitta – Mil Veces
Bad Bunny – MONACO
KAROL G – MI EX TENÍA RAZÓN
Myke Towers – LALA
Peso Pluma & Anitta – BELLAKEO
Rauw Alejandro – Touching The Sky
Shakira & Cardi B – Puntería
Latin music is having more than a moment; as we reported recently in the SongsBrew newsletter, this category is hot, hot, hot! Peso Pluma has been on fire recently, so we wouldn’t be surprised if he scoops it.
But Bad Bunny has been consistently releasing bangers.
Video for Good
Alexander Stewart – If You Only Knew
Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For? (from Barbie)
Coldplay – I Feel Like I'm Falling in Love
Joyner Lucas & Jelly Roll – Best For Me
RAYE – Genesis
Tyler Childers – In Your Love
Here is the link to get your votes in for Video for Good.
All of these have a lot of heart, and all would make a worthy winner.
Best Trending Video (Voting closed)
Beyoncé – TEXAS HOLD'EM
Camila Cabello feat. Playboi Carti – I LUV IT
Chappell Roan – HOT TO GO!
Charli XCX – Apple
Megan Thee Stallion feat. Yuki Chiba – Mamushi
Tinashe – Nasty
Could you even open a social media platform in the last few weeks without hearing sta-sta-sta? Maybe, but instead, you had Nasty - right? Our money is on Megan or Bey!
Best Direction
Ariana Grande – We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)
Bleachers – Tiny Moves
Eminem – Houdini
Megan Thee Stallion – BOA
Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please
Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – Fortnight
The VMAs are one of the best music nights of the year, so grab some snacks, open your social media and indulge in a night of the best music!
Remeber you can catch it September 11 at 8/7c on PARAMOUNT+!
