The MTV Video Music Awards began the night of September 11, 2024, its 40th anniversary, taking place in UBS Arena, New York.
Megan Thee Stallion, the host of the night as well with a hype performance. Thee Stallion’s performance consisted of many outfit changes including a gymnast Olympic uniform and 4, recreating an iconic Britney Spears outfit that she wore during a VMA performance.
Starting with the opening ceremony, the rapper Eminem performed his popular songs, “Houdini” and “Somebody Save Me”. The crowd went crazy once he appeared on stage, causing the public to remember how popular and great he was. Eminem secured Best Hip-Hop and Best Visual Effects causing to break the tie with Peter Gabriel making Eminem have the most VMA wins as a solo male artist.
Following Eminem’s performance was the first award of the night, Best Collaboration. Those nominated were Fortnight by Taylor Swift and Post Malone; Wanna Be by Thee Stallion and Glorilla; Rich Baby Daddy by Drake, SZA, and Sexyy Red; I Had Some Help by Malone and Morgan Wallen. Not only did Swift start off the night well, she ended it with success; Swift took home Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer, Direction, and Pop Video. She now owns 20 VMAs in total. So many diverse performances that not only did it consist of a new generation of artists but most of them taking their first VMA award home.
Lisa’s performance was unique compared to others. She brought out new energy onto the stage that had never been seen before. She took home Best K-pop defeating artists like NCT Dream, Jungkook, and Stray Kids. Tyla also won Best Afrobeats, yet when she received her award, many called her a “pick me” for commenting on how heavy the award was and asked Lil Nas X to hold it for her.
A new artist who surfaced all over social media and became a big hit to the music industry, Chappell Roan, performed one of her most iconic songs, “Good Luck, Babe!”. Being a new artist, especially at an award show must be such a memorable moment that would be unforgettable. Yet being a new artist like Roan is an advantage; bringing a new vibe and aesthetic to such a vast music industry helped her take a big step forward in her music career. She did not leave the VMA’s empty-handed, she won Best New Artist going up against good artists like Tyla, Benson Boone, and Gracie Abrams.
Let’s go get some espresso because this performance was a lot to process yet forever will be a memorable event for the VMA’s. Sabrina Carpenter, an icon, not only did she steal the night with her beautiful look but her performance was definitely gossiped about. She performed her current top songs, “Please Please Please”, “Taste”, and “Espresso.” While performing on stage, an alien and an astronaut were present, everything was going quite well when the jaw-dropping moment occurred. Sabrina and the alien kissed in front of a live audience! Looking back at it, this moment will forever be remembered by the VMA’s and can even be used as inspiration for other artists. Carpenter did indeed win the night, she took home Song of the Year going up against competitive-talented artists like Swift.
Camila Cabello performed quite after Sabrina brought out theories that each of their performances was targeted toward each other. This love triangle between the two and Shawn Mendes made both of them go all out for their performances, especially Cabello. Cabello performed “Godspeed” and “June Gloom”. Lastly an ultimate icon, she retired this year, Karol G! Unfortunately for her she didn’t win any awards but stole the night performing, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.”
