The first annual 1984 MTV VMAs, hosted by Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Performances by Rod Stewart, Madonna, Huey Lewis and the News, David Bowie, Tina Turner, ZZ Top, Ray Parker Jr., Herbie Hancock, Billy Idol, and The Cars. Notable performances included Madonna's iconic rendition of "Like a Virgin," David Bowie performing "Blue Jean" from London, and Herbie Hancock's "Rockit" with its groundbreaking special effects.
The 1985 MTV VMAs, hosted by Eddie Murphy at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Performances by Don Henley ("The Boys of Summer"), Bryan Adams ("Run to You"), Duran Duran ("The Wild Boys"), Simple Minds ("Don't You (Forget About Me)"), Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ("Don't Come Around Here No More"), Chris Isaak ("Dancin'"), Toto ("Stranger in Town"), Hall & Oates ("The Way You Do the Things You Do/My Girl"), Tina Turner ("What's Love Got to Do with It"), and Morris Day, Eddie Murphy, and Grace Jones.
The 1986 MTV VMAs, hosted by MTV VJs Downtown Julie Brown, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, Martha Quinn, and Dweezil Zappa. Performances by Madonna performing "Dress You Up," Sting performing "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free," and a performance by Bon Jovi of "Livin' on a Prayer" and "Wanted Dead or Alive". Other prominent performances featured ZZ Top with "Rough Boy" and Robert Palmer with "Addicted to Love".
The 1987 MTV VMAs, hosted by MTV VJs Downtown Julie Brown, Carolyne Heldman, Kevin Seal, Michael Tomioka, and Dweezil Zappa at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Performances by The Bangles, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Crowded House, The Cars, David Bowie, Madonna, Prince, Run-D.M.C. (with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry), Whitesnake, and Whitney Houston. Notable performances included Bon Jovi's acoustic take on "Livin' on a Prayer," Run-D.M.C.'s "Walk This Way," and Prince's medley of "Sign o' the Times" and "Play in the Sunshine”.
The 1988 MTV VMAs, hosted by Arsenio Hall at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Performances by Aerosmith, Cher, Elton John, George Harrison, INXS, Michael Jackson, and U2, The Grateful Dead, Roy Orbison, and Squeeze.
The 1989 MTV VMAs, hosted by Arsenio Hall at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Performances by Madonna, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, The Cult, Cher, the Rolling Stones, and the Cure, with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora notably giving an acoustic performance. Other artists who performed included Living Colour, which took home three awards, and Paula Abdul, the night's biggest winner with four awards, along with an acoustic performance by Tom Petty with Guns N' Roses.
The 1990 MTV VMAs, hosted by Arsenio Hall at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Performances by Madonna (who performed "Vogue"), MC Hammer ("Let's Get It Started" and "U Can't Touch This"), and Janet Jackson. Other notable acts were Living Colour, who presented an award, and an acoustic performance by Bon Jovi members Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora.
The 1991 MTV VMAs, hosted by Arsenio Hall at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Performances by Paula Abdul, who performed a medley of her hits; EMF, who performed "Unbelievable"; Mariah Carey with "Emotions";Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, who performed acoustic Bon Jovi songs; and Prince and The New Power Generation, who performed "Gett Off". Other performers included Queensrÿche, Don Henley, and the fictional band Spinal Tap.
The 1992 MTV VMAs, hosted by Dana Carvey at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. Performances by Nirvana, Guns N' Roses, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bryan Adams, Def Leppard, and En Vogue. Other acts mentioned include Eric Clapton, Elton John, and a satellite performance by U2.
The 1993 MTV VMAs, hosted by by Christian Slater at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Performances by Madonna, Aerosmith, Faith No More, Lenny Kravitz, k.d. lang, Naughty By Nature, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Soul Asylum, Janet Jackson, Spin Doctors, The Edge, and more. The show featured performances of hit songs like Madonna's "Rain," Aerosmith's "Livin' on the Edge," and Pearl Jam's "Animal". This would be Kurt Cobain's final VMA appearance.
The 1994 MTV VMAs, hosted by Roseanne Barr at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Performances by Aerosmith ("Walk This Way"), Boyz II Men ("I'll Make Love to You"), The Smashing Pumpkins ("Disarm"), and The Rolling Stones ("Love Is Strong" and "Start Me Up"). Other artists who performed or were featured included Beastie Boys, Bruce Springsteen, Céline Dion, Green Day, Leningrad Cowboys, and Salt-N-Pepa.
The 1995 MTV VMAs, hosted by Dennis Miller at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Performances by Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson (who performed their hit "Scream"), Hole (performing "Violet"), Alanis Morissette, Madonna, Coolio, and Björk. Other artists, presenters, and attendees at the event included Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, Drew Barrymore, and Leonardo DiCaprio, among others.
The 1996 MTV VMAs, hosted by Dennis Miller at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Performances by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Bush, The Cranberries, Hootie & the Blowfish, LL Cool J, Metallica, Alanis Morissette, KISS, Nas, Oasis, The Smashing Pumpkins, No Doubt, Mariah Carey, and the Fugees.
The 1997 MTV VMAs, hosted by Chris Rock. Performances by Jamiroquai, Sting, and the Spice Girls. The ceremony's big winner was Fiona Apple, who took home the award for Best New Artist in a Video for "Sleep to Dream". Other notable moments included Janet Jackson presenting the Video Vanguard Award to Mark Romanek and a chaotic presentation by David Arquette and Lisa Marie Presley.
The 1998 MTV VMAs, hosted by Ben Stiller at Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Performances by Madonna, Beastie Boys, Brandy & Monica, Backstreet Boys, Dave Matthews Band, Hole, Marilyn Manson, Master P, Usher, and The Brian Setzer Orchestra.
The 1999 MTV VMAs, hosted by Chris Rock at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. Performances by Britney Spears ("...Baby One More Time"), *NSYNC ("Tearin' Up My Heart"), the Backstreet Boys ("I Want It That Way" / "Larger Than Life"), TLC ("No Scrubs"), Ricky Martin ("Livin' la Vida Loca"), Lauryn Hill ("Lost Ones" / "Everything Is Everything"), Korn ("Freak on a Leash"), and Jay-Z (featuring Ja Rule and Amil on "Can I Get A...")
2000 MTV Video Music Awards, Hosted by Marlon and Shawn Wayans, featuring, Aaliyah, Björk, Blink 182, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Janet Jackson, Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, Pink, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sting, and more.
2001 MTV VMAs was hosted by Jamie Foxx at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. Performances by Staind, *NSYNC (with Michael Jackson), Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez (with Ja Rule), Missy Elliott (with Nelly Furtado), and U2.
2002 MTV VMAs, Hosted by Jimmy Fallon. Performances by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Pink, Ja Rule, Ashanti and Nas, Shakira, and Eminem.
The 2003 MTV VMAs was hosted by Chris Rock at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The event is most famous for the iconic opening performance where Madonna kissed Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. It also included performances by Metallica, Good Charlotte, 50 Cent, Eminem, Black Eyed Peas, and Kelly Clarkson.
The 2004 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on August 29, 2004, honoring the best music videos from June 10, 2003 to June 30, 2004. The show took place at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida, and, unlike in previous years, had no host
2005 MTV VMAs, Hosted by P. Diddy. Performances by Green Day, Coldplay, Kelly Clarkson, 50 Cent, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Fall Out Boy, Kanye West, The Killers, and Ludacris.
MTV Video Music Awards 2006
Honoring the best music videos from the previous year between June 2006 to June 2007, took place on September 9, in Las Vegas at The Palms. The awards received attention for an infamous opening performance by Britney Spears. The live announcer was September Day Carter and she was the first non union voice actor ever to live announce a major awards ceremony.
Russell Brand hosts the 25th annual event from Hollywood. Christina Aguilera,Travis Barker, Lupe Fiasco, the Jonas Brothers, Kanye West, Kid Rock, Lil Wayne, Paramore, Katy Perry, Pink, Rihanna, T.I., the Ting Tings and T-Pain are slated to perform.
Pre-Show to the 2009 MTV 26th Annual Video Music Awards.
MTV Video Music Awards 2009 The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards were in rare, history-making form in NYC! Host Russell Brand added a little raunch, Kanye West pitched a fit and Beyoncé kept things classy. See how it all went down.
Pre-Show to the 2010 MTV 27th Annual Video Music Awards.
MTV brought the VMAs back to the west coast for a live, star-studded show in Los Angeles, packing a powerful punch of side-splittingly funny entertainment, awe-inducing performances, and twitter trend-worthy moments. Host Chelsea Handler was uncensored and all-out hilarious as she riffed on everyone from Justin Bieber to Jersey Shore. But the night truly belonged to another lady—Lady Gaga. Gaga dominated, winning in eight categories and wowing in wardrobe changes, which included a gown made of meat. Yes, meat. Handing out Moonmen and marvelling at outrageous celebrity fashion moments is a part of the VMAs, but the night is really about the music. Eminem opened the show with surprise special guest Rihanna for "Love The Way You Lie." Usher KILLED it with a mash-up of "DJ Got Us Falling In Love" and "OMG" that had everyone, Jersey Shore included, wanting to beat the beat. Justin Bieber earned his place as Best New Artist during his outdoor set (with drum solo!), and fellow performers Florence + the Machine, Drake, Mary J. Blige and Swizz Beatz, B.o.B, Bruno Mars and Hayley Williams, deadmau5, Jason Derulo, Robyn, Travie McCoy and Linkin Park (phew!) all nailed it on stage. The most talked about performances of the night went to Taylor Swift and Kanye West who each settled their infamous 2009 VMA Beef through song. The VMAs have etched their place in pop culture as the go-to source for an unforgettable night that EVERYONE will be talking about. That is, until next year's show.
Pre-Show to the 2011 MTV 28th Annual Video Music Awards.
Katniss Everdeen is stepping out of the Hunger Games arena and into the Moonman-filled madness of the MTV Video Music Awards. At the VMAs on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, MTV will debut the very first look at footage from “The Hunger Games,” the Jennifer Lawrence-starring adaptation of the best-selling dystopian novel. Up until now, we’ve seen photos of Lawrence as the arrow-wielding Katniss, plus glimpses of Josh Hutcherson as Peeta and Liam Hemsworth as Gale. But we haven’t yet seen “Hunger Games” in action. All that will change during the 28th annual VMAs, when Lawrence herself introduces the exclusive look, which will then be available exclusively on MTV.com … The first glimpse at the film, which hits theaters March 12, 2012, is just one juicy part of the pop-culture parade that is the VMAs. Get ready for performances from Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Adele, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown, plus appearances by Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian and Odd Future. The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the Selena Gomez-hosted pre-show at 8. See the list of nominees, revisit last year’s highlights and vote for Best New Artist by visiting VMA.MTV.com.
As if the lineup wasn't knock-your-socks-off good already, superstar Rihanna and ground-breaking singer/songwriter Frank Ocean will all be joining the outstanding list of VMA performers. With an impressive 8 nominations between the two of them, these A-listers each have a shot at leaving Los Angeles with a Moonman in hand. They'll be joining chart-topper Taylor Swift, VMA vets Green Day and P!nk, songstress Alicia Keys and the Brit boys of One Direction as 2012 VMA performers. This year's performers aren't the only stars that will shine on the VMA stage. With a growing list of powerful presenters from all genres of fame, the Staples Center will house one of the most multi-talented stages ever. The rap game's VIP 2 Chainz, wild child Ke$ha, the handsome blokes of The Wanted, and the stars of "Celeste And Jesse Forever" Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg will join Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, and the Fab Five U.S. Gymnastics gals as presenters. What an eclectic and awesome crowd we'll have on hand to celebrate the best music vids of 2012. Following a hilarious appearance at the 2011 show, comedian Kevin Hart will take the lead as our host of the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. Known for his LOL-worthy original standup, as well as his reoccurring role in the Scary Movie franchise, Hart will bring the giggles to the golden coast when he takes the Staples Center stage.
From the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.; performers include Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars.
From the Forum in Inglewood, Calif.; performers include Beyoncé, Usher, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, Iggy Azalea, Ariana Grande and 5 Seconds of Summer.
Pre-Show to the 2015 MTV 32nd Annual Video Music Awards
The 2015 MTV Video Music Awards was held on August 30, 2015. The 32nd installment of the event was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, and hosted by Miley Cyrus. Taylor Swift led the nominations with a total of 10, followed by Ed Sheeran, who had six. Another nominee, Kendrick Lamar, received four nominations for his video "Alright." However, the videos for Swift's "Bad Blood" and Flying Lotus' "Never Catch Me" (both of which he features on) earned seven and two nominations respectively, bringing his total number of mentions to 13. Swift's "Wildest Dreams" music video premiered during the pre-show. Cyrus also announced and released her studio album Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, right after her performance at the end of the show.During his acceptance speech, Kanye West announced he would be running for the 2020 US Presidential Election. Taylor Swift won four awards, including Video of the Year and Best Female Video. The VMA trophies were redesigned by Jeremy Scott.
The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards were held on August 28, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. Adele's "Hello" was the most nominated video with seven categories. Beyoncé led the nominations with a total of eleven, followed by Adele, who had eight. Rihanna received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award after performing several medley numbers during the ceremony. Britney Spears marked her first performance at the awards show since the heavily-criticized 2007 show nine years prior.
2017 MTV VMAs, Hosted by Katy Perry. Performances by Kendrick Lamar, Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran, Lorde, The Weeknd, Fifth Harmony (with Gucci Mane), Shawn Mendes, Pink, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Logic, Khalid, Julia Michaels, Post Malone, Demi Lovato, and DNCE (with Rod Stewart).
2018 MTV VMAs with performances by Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, Shawn Mendes, Panic! at the Disco, Travis Scott, Post Malone, Logic (with Ryan Tedder), and Maluma.
The 2019 MTV Video Music Awards are Live from Newark, NJ and hosted by Sebastian Manscalco. With performances by Taylor Swift, and many more.
The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards returns to honor the biggest names in music with live performances by Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, BTS, Doja Cat, Maluma and more, Hosted by Keke Palmer in New York City.
The 2021 MTV Video Music Awards returns to honor the biggest names in music with live performances by Camila Cabello, Billy Porter, Megan Fox, Jennifer Lopez, Rita Ora and more, Hosted by Doja Cat in Barclays Center, Brooklyn.
Live from Newark, N.J.
Emceed by Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J, and Jack Harlow, the MTV Video Music Awards 2022 celebrates the biggest stars in music, with performances from Panic! At The Disco, Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, Anitta, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Måneskin, Lizzo and more.
Preshow
2023 MTV VMAs, Hosted by Nicki Minaj. Honoring names in music with live performances, awards, and pop culture moments; performers include Demi Lovato, Stray Kids, Karol G, Maneskin, and Shakira.
2024 VMAs, hosted by Megan Thee Stallion. With performances by Eminem, Katy Perry, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Anitta, Benson Boone, and LL Cool J.
2025 MTV VMAs, Hosted by LL Cool J. Performances by Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Tate McRae, Jelly Roll, Post Malone, Alex Warren, Sombr, and J Balvin with DJ Snake. Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, with YUNGBLUD also performed a tribute to the late great Ozzy Osbourne.
MTV's 35th Annual Video Music Awards Pre-Show (2018)
MTV's 36th Annual Video Music Awards Pre-Show (2019)
First-look access to the night's biggest stars with interviews, fashion moments, and performances from Jack Harlow, Chloe x Halle and Tate McRae.
A look back at highlights of 15 years of MTV Video Music Awards highlights with insights from the MTV employees and artists who appeared.
Hosted by Dometi Pongo, Kevan Kenney and Nessa with performance by LE SSERAFIM.
