The MTV VMAs know how to throw a party — and generate a pop culture moment for the world to see.
Since its premiere in 1984, the awards show has been the site of some of the most memorable moments in pop culture history.
In 1999, a then 17-year-old Britney Spears made her VMAs debut with a performance of “…Baby One More Time.” Just a few years later, the pop star sent tabloids into a frenzy when she and Madonna shared an onstage kiss during their 2003 performance together. Kanye West famously interrupted Taylor Swift when she accepted the award for Best Female Video at the 2009 VMAs, sparking a decades-spanning feud. Beyoncé’s onstage pregnancy announcement that topped off her performance of “Love on Top” at the 2011 show broke the internet and set the record for most mentions on X per second.
This year should be no different.
Broadcasting live from the UBS Arena in New York, the 2024 MTV VMAs will celebrate a year of visual spectacles from music’s brightest stars, including Post Malone, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish and more.
Winners receive the coveted “Moon Person” (formerly “Moonman”) trophy that depicts an astronaut planting a flag with the MTV logo onto the moon. The silver statue has since become a symbol of pop culture excellence.
Here’s what to know about this year’s VMAs.
⏰When is the show?
-
The MTV Video Music Awards airs live from New York’s UBS Arena on Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
-
The show will air live on MTV and is available to stream across MTV’s global footprint, including BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Nick at Nite, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, VH1 and Univision.
-
MTV and TelevisaUnivision will partner for the second year in a row to broadcast a live simulcast of the VMAs. An encore presentation of the award show will air on UNIMÁS at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT.
🎤 Who is hosting?
-
Megan Thee Stallion is pulling double duty. The “Houston Hottie” is hosting the MTV Video Music Awards for the first time, as well as performing.
-
The rapper earned seven nominations this year, including Best Collaboration and Best Hip-Hop.
🎵 Who is performing?
-
Eminem is opening the show.
-
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 have all been announced as performers.
🏆 Who is the Video Vanguard Award recipient?
-
Katy Perry is the recipient of MTV’s Video Vanguard Award.
-
The five-time VMA winner, whose seventh studio album, 143, debuts on Sept. 20, will hit the stage to perform a career-spanning medley of her greatest hits.
-
Previous Michael Jackson Vanguard Award recipients include Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna.
🎹 Who are the nominees to watch in the top categories?
Taylor Swift dominates with 12 nominations including Artist of the Year and Best Pop, followed by Post Malone with 11 and Eminem with eight. Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Megan Thee Stallion and SZA follow with seven apiece.
Here are some of the categories to watch:
-
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 ft. Post Malone — “Fortnight”
-
Artist of the Year: Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, Eminem, Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, Taylor Swift
-
Song of the Year: Beyoncé — “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Jack Harlow — “Lovin On Me,” Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us,” Sabrina Carpenter — “Espresso,” Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone — “Fortnight,” Teddy Swims — “Lose Control”
-
Best New Artist: Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims, Tyla
-
Best Collaboration: Drake ft. Sexyy Red and SZA — “Rich Baby Daddy,” GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion — “Wanna Be,” Jessie Murph ft. Jelly Roll — “Wild Ones,” Jung Kook ft. Latto — “Seven,” Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen — “I Had Some Help,” Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone — “Fortnight”
⭐ Notable VMA firsts?
-
Taylor Swift could break her own record and become the only artist ever to win Video of the Year three consecutive times and five times overall.
-
Sabrina Carpenter, Morgan Wallen, Tyla and Teddy Swims are among the 29 first-time VMAs nominees.
-
“Good Luck, Babe!” singer Chappell Roan is making her VMAs debut. A first-time nominee, Roan nabbed nominations for Best New Artist and PUSH: Performance of the Year for “Red Wine Supernova.”
-
Carpenter will perform on the VMAs main stage for the first time in her career.
-
Gracie Abrams, whose new album The Secret of Us features a duet with Taylor Swift, earned her first-ever VMA nod for Best New Artist.
