2021 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2021 MTV Video Music Awards aired live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Justin Bieber led the field of nominations with seven followed by Megan Thee Stallion with six. Billie Eilish, BTS, Doja Cat, Drake, Giveon, Lil Nas X, and Olivia Rodrigo all followed closely with five nominations apiece.
The broadcast opened with Madonna traveling the streets of New York in a yellow cab reminiscing about her first time in the city. Madonna then took the stage, live to a standing ovation, threw her coat into the audience, and said, “We’re still here Mother Fuckers. Happy 40th MTV. Welcome to the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards.” Madonna then turned and walked off the stage and The Kid LAROI took over and performed his hitStay. Justin Bieber followed. He came dressed in a hoodie that completely coved him as he performed Ghost. Olivia Rodrigo followed with a spirited performance of Good 4 U.
Doja Cat was the host and took the stage to welcome everyone to the 40th birthday of MTV.
Jennifer Lopez was the first presenter of the evening. The audience went crazy when she took the stage. “Happy 40th birthday MTV!” She said it felt so good to be in her hometown for the awards. She announced the nominees for Song of the Year. 24kGoldn ft. iann dior for Mood, Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak, Silk Sonic for Leave The Door Open, BTS for Dynamite, Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion for WAP, Dua Lipa for Levitating, and Olivia Rodrigo for Drivers License. The 2021 MTV Video Music Award went to Olivia Rodrigo for Drivers License. “This is so insane.” Olivia thanked all the fans and said it’s been the most magical year of her life.
Hailey Bieber was the next presenter. She introduced Kacey Musgraves’ performance of Star-Crossed. Twenty One Pilots followed and performed Saturday.
Cyndi Lauper was next to present. Cyndi told the crowd that she won her first Moon Person in 1984 and girls still want to have fun, but they also want to have equal pay and, “control over our bodies.” She received loud applause for that statement and then announced the nominees for Best Pop. Ariana Grande for Positions, Billie Eilish for Therefore I Am, BTS for Butter, Harry Styles for Treat People With Kindness, Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon for Peaches, Olivia Rodrigo for Good 4 U, Shawn Mendes for Wonder, and Taylor Swift for Willow. The 2021 Video Music Award went to Justin Bieber. “Thanks so much to the VMAs.” Justin sent shout-outs to his family and said, “I love you guys so much.”
SAINT JHN followed with his performance of Sucks To Be You, and Rita Ora introduced her friend Ed Shearon who performed Shivers.
Billy Porter arrived amazingly as usual and said, “What’s up New York! Happy 40th birthday MTV.” He then said when he was going up, they weren’t ready for him, but he is glad they are ready now as he introduced Lil Nas X who performed Industry Baby with Jack Harlow followed by MONTERO.
Avril Lavigne took the stage and announced the nominees for the Video for Good category. Billie Eilish for Your Power, Demi Lovato for Dancing With The Devil, H.E.R. for Fight For You, Kane Brown for Worldwide Beautiful, Lil Nas X for MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name), and Pharrell Williams ft. JAY-Z for Entrepreneur. The VMA went to Billie Eilish for Your Power. “Thank you so much. I love you. I really love you.” She said she tried to write this song for a very long time. She was also censored and apologized. She ended with we all have power, and we should not abuse it.
Camila Cabello followed with her performance of Don’t Go Yet. She called out of her love Shawn Mendes, and he performed Summer Of Love.
Doja Cat floated down from the ceiling with her out-of-this-world performance of Been Like This.
The next category was Artist of the Year. Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, Justin Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift. The VMA went to Justin Bieber. “Wow! Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Still covered in a hoodie, Justin spoke about Covid being a big deal but how music has brought us together. “I really do believe the best is yet to come.” He ended his speech thanking his beautiful, Hailey,
Halle of Chloe x Halle introduced her sister Chloe in her first solo performance. Chole’s performance of Have Mercy was red hot, and she dropped the mike.
Hip-Hop music legions were honored during the announcement of the Best Hip-Hop nominations. Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion for WAP, Drake ft. Lil Durk for Laugh Now Cry Later, Lil Baby ft. Megan Thee Stallion for On Me (remix), Moneybagg Yo for Said Sum, and Polo G for RAPSTAR. The 2021 Video Music Award went to Travis Scott. He thanked God, his mom, his daughter Stormi, the fans, and his record company. “Spread love and everything will be ok.”
Ciara was the next presenter. She introduced Normani who performed Wild Side ft. Cardi B “I’m ready to pull up on you.”
Doja Cat returned in quite the colorfully beaded outfit and brought Fat Joe to the stage to introduce Ozuna who perform La Funk.
Ashanti and Ja Rule came together to introduce the nominees for Best Collaboration. 24kGoldn ft. iann dior for Mood, Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion for WAP, Doja Cat ft. SZA and Kiss Me More, Drake ft. Lil Durk for Laugh Now Cry Later, Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon for Peaches, and Miley Cyrus ft. Dua Lipa for Prisoner. The VMA went to Doja Cat and SZA for Kiss me More. “You guys have had this so fun for me.” She thanked her fans and said as much as she fights with them, she really does love them.
Best K-Pop was the next category. G)I-DLE for DUMDi DUMDi, BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez for Ice Cream, BTS for Butter, SEVENTEEN for Ready to love, and TWICE for Alcohol-Free. BTS took the 2021 VMA. They could not attend the awards but sent a video thank you speech. “Thanks for this honor.” “Love you all!”
Billie Eilish presented the Global Icon Award to the Foo Fighters. The Foo Fighters performed Shame Shame. The Foo Fighters have been performing for 26 years and yelled out a few names to thank during their acceptance speech, and end with, “We’ll see you in 26 years.”
SZA returned to introduce the performance by Alicia Keys of her new song LALA ft. Swae Lee. Alicia also went to the piano to perform Empire State of Mind.
Tommy Lee took the stage to present the nominees for the Best Alternative category. Bleachers, Glass Animals, Imagine Dragons, Machine Gun Kelly, Twenty One Pilots, and WILLOW ft. Travis Barker. Machine Gun Kelly took the 2021 Video Music Award. He said he hated this song at first and he thanked his record company for ignoring him and putting the song out anyway.
Best New Artist was up next. 24kGoldn, Giveon, The Kid LAROI, Olivia Rodrigo, Polo G, and Saweetie. Olivia Rodrigo took the 2021 Video Music Award. She thanked the fans and everyone who supported her.
Swizz Beatz introduced Buster Rhymes’s powerhouse performance. Buster started with Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See. His set was amazing. His rap, flawless.
David Lee Roth announced the big award of the evening. The nominees for Video of the Year were Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion for WAP, DJ Khaled ft. Drake for POPSTAR (Starring Justin Bieber), Doja Cat ft. SZA for Kiss Me More, Ed Sheeran for Bad Habits, Lil Nas X, for MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name), and The Weeknd for Save Your Tears. The 2021 Video Music Award went to Lil Nas X for MONTERO. He thanked the gay agenda, “I love you guys so much. I don’t take this for granted.”
Machine Gun Kelly closed the broadcast with his award-winning song, Papercuts.
The 2021 MTV Video Music Awards was a wild ride. Congratulations to all this year’s winners!
Tanya Hart
AURN.Com Hollywood Live
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