VMAs
BLACKPINK Delivers Biting First U.S. Award Show Performance With ‘Pink Venom’ at 2022 VMAs
Just after 2022 MTV Video Music Award co-host LL Cool J crowned this year’s event as the “most diverse and global ever,” Latto introduced K-pop sensation BLACKPINK to the stage. “This next group has not only dominated K-pop, they’ve taken over the world,” said Latto, a four-time VMA nominee this year. She then noted it was not only the girl group’s first time ever at the VMAs but also the act’s first ever U.S. award show performance. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news To celebrate, BLACKPINK treated BLINKs to a performance of its new hit single “Pink Venom.” The song is the first single from the group’s upcoming second studio album, Born Pink, out Sept. 16. “Black Venom” hit No. 1 on Hot Trending Songs, becoming BLACKPINK’s first lead...
J Balvin & Ryan Castro Bring Reggaeton Collab ‘Nivel De Perreo’ to 2022 VMAs
Following BLACKPINK‘s debut at the MTV Video Music Awards, J Balvin and Ryan Castro immediately took center stage for their televised premiere of “Nivel de Perreo.” Honoring the music award’s most diverse lineup yet, the two Colombian acts from Medellin brought their latest reggaeton collaboration to the masses with a live performance. On stage, Balvin rocked an all-zebra-print pants and a coat that matched his animal print hairdo, and Castro rocked black wide-leg slacks and a fuzzy red sweater. The two were joined on stage by a group of robot-like dancers while a large 3D robot doll flaunted her best perreo (reggaeton dancing) skills. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Directamente desde Medellin, Colombia,” Castro, a former Billboard Latin Arti...
Here’s Why Yung Gravy Brought Addison Rae’s Mom to the 2022 VMAs
Yung Gravy sure is vicious, and the “Betty (Get Money)” artist proved that “all the mamas love him” when he brought TikTok star Addison Rae‘s mother, Sheri Easterling, as his date to the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night (Aug. 28). For those who are unaware of the TikTok drama surrounding Yung Gravy and Addison Rae’s parents, the red carpet couple might seem random, but it all stems from Easterling’s estranged husband Monty Lopez — from whom she’s reportedly separated — allegedly seeing younger women. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Amid the drama, 26-year-old Gravy began flirting with Easterling on an episode of the Jeff FM podcast as well as in a number of TikTok videos, and the unexpected duo have a playful banter on social...
Marshmello & Khalid Deliver a Blissful Vibe With ‘Numb’ at the 2022 VMAs
After some truly groundbreaking performances from all-stars such as Jack Harlow, Lizzo, BLACKPINK and more at 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, Marshmello and Khalid brought something else for the crowd: good vibes. The pair arrived early in the broadcast on Sunday (Aug. 28) to deliver a laid-back, trippy performance of their new single “Numb.” Pulling up to the stage in a lime green sweater and sweatpants jamming on a bass guitar, the masked DJ introduced his collab-mate Khalid, who appeared among the crowd in New Jersey, singing the opening lines to their latest song together. “Like lookin’ at the sun/ I feel like you’re the moon,” he sang. “I feel like I’m the one/ I wanna get numb.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Jumping up to the stage, Khalid...
The 22 Best VMAs Performances of All Time: Critics’ Picks
The annual MTV Video Music Awards have been one of pop culture’s biggest nights for decades. Good, bad or ugly, the show has had more than its fair share of headline-making moments since its debut in 1984. Remember when Drake professed his love for Rihanna on stage in 2016? Or Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley’s awkwardly long kiss in 1994? Oh, and need we even mention Lady Gaga’s 2010 meat dress? Despite its anything-goes reputation, the ceremony has always been a celebration of the year in music. Musical acts across genres are recognized not just for their records and albums, but for the hard work and creativity they put into accompanying visual works. And although going home with a moon person trophy (most notably for video of the year) is surely a goal for nominees, for viewers, i...
Photos From the First MTV Video Music Awards & Afterparties in 1984
No one knew quite what to expect at the first MTV Video Music Awards, which was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984. The show seemed likely to have a younger, hipper vibe than the Grammy Awards or the American Music Awards. But no one could have predicted that Madonna would steal the show with a daring performance of “Like a Virgin” that would have broken the Internet if such a thing had existed back then. Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler co-hosted the show. That may seem like an odd choice, but it made sense in the context of the times. Aykroyd appeared in Ghostbusters, which was the year’s top-grossing film. Midler’s 1983 album No Frills had emphasized her rock side, with its covers of songs by the likes of The Rolling Stones and Marshall Crenshaw. Cyndi Lauper h...
Anitta, Panic! at the Disco, J Balvin & More to Perform at 2022 MTV VMAs
Anitta, J Balvin with Ryan Castro, Marshmello x Khalid and Panic! at the Disco are set to perform at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards. The show will be broadcast live from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Sunday, Aug. 28, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Anitta will make her VMA debut with a performance of her single “Envolver,” which topped the Billboard Global Excl U.S. chart in April . The song, from her fifth studio album Versions of Me, has climbed as high as No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100. Anitta’s video for the song is nominated in the best Latin category. In addition to being her first nomination, it makes her the first Brazilian artist to be nominated for a VMA. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Panic!...
These 2022 VMA Contenders Were Also Nominated at the First VMAs in 1984
Two of the artists nominated for the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards go way back with the VMAs, to the very first show in 1984. Madonna, who is nominated for best long-form music video for “MADAME X,” was nominated for best new artist in a video at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards for “Borderline.” She didn’t win — the award went to Eurythmics for “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This”) — but she left with something even better than an award: She stole the show with her fully committed performance of “Like a Virgin,” in which she writhed around the floor of Radio City Music Hall in a wedding dress. The other 2022 VMA contender who was nominated at the first VMAs is Elton John. The pop legend is nominated this year for both song of the year and best collaboration for “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix),” hi...
Jack Harlow, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Nas X Lead MTV VMA Nominees
Jack Harlow, Kendrick Lamar and Lil Nas X scored a leading seven nominations for the 2022 MTV VMAs, which will be handed out Aug. 28 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Harry Styles and Doja Cat picked up six nominations each, while Billie Eilish, Drake, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd all earned five. Harlow and Lil Nas X received several nominations for their chart-topping smash “Industry Baby,” including video of the year, while Lamar’s “family ties” video is up for best editing, cinematography and direction. The other video of the year nominees are Doja Cat’s “Woman,” Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy” featuring Future and Young Thug, Ed Sheeran’s “Shivers,” Styles’ “As It Was,” Olivia Rodrigo’s “brutal” and Taylor Swift’s “10 Minute / Taylor’s Version” of “All Too Well.” Mado...
Lil Nas X, Drake, Britney Spears, Bad Bunny & More of the Week’s Biggest Winners (Sept. 17)
Take a look at Billboard‘s weekly roundup and the “awards” it gave to this week’s headlines. Happiest Music News: Lil Nas X gives birth to debut album Montero Lil Nas X finally brought his bundle of joy he’s been carrying — a.k.a. his debut studio album Montero — into the world on Friday (Sept. 17). His genre-bending project contains star-studded features from Miley Cyrus, Elton John, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, and of course, Jack Harlow on his Hot 100 No. 2 hit “Industry Baby.” Stream Montero here and read our critics’ picks here. Sweetest Music News: Britney Spears is engaged Congratulations are in order for Britney Spears and Sam Asghari, who announced their engagement on Sunday (Sept. 12) after fiv...
Foo Fighters Accept First MTV Global Icon Award, Perform Righteous Hits Medley at 2021 VMAs
After pivoting to recent Billboard Rock & Alternative Airplay No. 1 “Shame Shame,” the band capped their performance with a blistering run through signature 1997 single “Everlong.” While they performed the climactic hit, a split-screen montage simultaneously playing clips from dozens of Foo Fighters videos from the course of their career was displayed both behind them and underneath them, projected onto the actual stage. Following the performance, Grohl gave Eilish a big hug and accepted the award on the band’s behalf, saying, “We’ve been a band for 26 years, so it feels pretty good.” He went on to thank a number of figures from MTV’s history, pulled half-facetiously from a “list” he said the group had prepared...
Alicia Keys and Swae Lee Shine at 2021 VMAs With Debut Performance of ‘LALA (Unlocked)’
“LALA (Unlocked)” marks the first official musical collaboration between the two artists. Less than two weeks before its debut, Keys announced the forthcoming release of her young adult graphic novel, titled Girl on Fire, expected out March 1 via HarperCollins Publishers. The book, named after the 15-time Grammy-winner’s Billboard Hot 100-charting track, tells the fictional story of 14-year-old Lolo Wright and her telekinetic superpowers. “When I wrote ‘Girl on Fire,’ I knew I was writing it for that girl in the way back row who needed someone to tell her there’s nothing you can’t do, that nothing is impossible,” Keys said in a statement. “When Andrew [Weiner] and I came up with the idea of translating the song into a young adult graphic novel, I ...
