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The 2024 MTV VMAs (Video Music Awards) were held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 11, 2024. The Wednesday night marked the 40th anniversary of the MTV VMAs ceremony.
Several performances and festivities called back to historic moments from the show's past. This included "flashbacks" of Madonna performing Like a Virgin and Eminem's famous "multiple look-alike" performance.
Although the show was initially scheduled for September 10, the event was pushed back a day to avoid conflicts with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris' presidential debate.
Top 5 highlights from MTV VMAs 40th Anniversary Ceremony
This year's Video Music Awards were hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, with The New York Times drawing comparisons between the "silky green" top worn by the WAP rapper and the outfit worn by Britney Spears during her performance of I’m a Slave 4 U, back in 2001.
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While Eminem performed his lead single Houdini from his 12th studio album The Death of Slim Shady, Taylor Swift's landmark wins resulted in the singer crossing Beyoncé for the "most awarded solo artist." Here is a complete list of iconic moments and highlights from the MTV Video Music Awards 40th Anniversary.
1) Taylor Swift sets new VMA record
Taylor Swift took home seven awards at the UBS Arena last night, which included "Video of the Year" for Fortnight (Feat. Post Malone), resulting in the singer topping the VMAs winners list.
During her acceptance speech, Taylor appreciated the efforts of her collaborators and team in helping bring to life her vision for the song. She also shouted out Travis Kelce, when she said:
"Something that I’ll always remember is that when I would finish a take and I would say cut, I’d always just hear someone cheering. Everything this man [Kelce] touches turns to happiness and fun and magic.”
2) Katy Perry wins Video Vanguard award
The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, popularly known as the Video Vanguard Award or the Lifetime Achievement Award, is a merit established in 1984 given to singer-songwriters and directors at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Katy Perry accepted this honor after taking viewers and the audience through a string of her most popular singles. This included live performances of hit songs like I Kissed a Girl and Firework, as well as her new collaboration with Doechii titled I’m His, He’s Mine.
During her acceptance speech, Perry recapped instances from her career and moments that, in hindsight, left an indelible mark on 21st-century pop music. The singer also confirmed that her highly anticipated seventh studio album 143 will be delivered to all major streaming platforms on September 20, 2024.
"My Katy Cats, you stood by me for a lifetime and the LGBTQ community who I recognize I would not be here without. You showed me that you can be both kind and snatched. Thank you to Orlando for keeping me grounded, celebrated and doing the dishes," Katy Perry stated during her Video Vanguard Award acceptance speech.
3) Sabrina Carpenter wins her first Moon Man award for Espresso
Sabrina Carpenter performed for the second time at the MTV VMAs, embracing a space-themed "extraterrestrial," which seemingly hinted at the Moon Man statuette delivered to all winners at the award ceremony.
The Short N' Sweet singer put on an enticing live performance of her biggest hits from the year, which included singles like Espresso, Please, Please, Please, and Taste, amongst backup dancers dressed as aliens and astronauts.
The singer scored big after she received her first-ever Moon Man award at the UBS Arena for 'Song of the Year - Espresso'. While Sabrina did thank her management and family for their support, the singer sent a special shout-out to her fans during her acceptance speech when she stated:
"If you clap after everything I say, they’re gonna call me off the stage, so one second. But I just want to say that you guys are the reason that I get to do what I love, but also the reason that we get to have so much fun and share music with each other"
4) Tyla takes home Best Afrobeats Award for Water
Although the VMAs decision to include the category of "Best Afrobeats" in their award show is well intended, the genre is not synonymous with African Pop music but is considered a specific term similar to genres like reggae.
Tyla took home the 'Best Afrobeats Award - for Water' at the 2024 VMAs and seemingly pointed out the distinction between Amapiano, the genre of music she makes, and Afrobeats. During her acceptance speech when she stated:
"I know there’s a tendency to group all African artists under Afrobeats, It’s a thing. And even though Afrobeats has run things and has opened so many doors for us, African music is so diverse. It’s more than just Afrobeats. I come from South Africa, I represent Amapiano. I represent my culture."
5) Eminem recreates his iconic 2000s VMA act
Eminem put on a nostalgic live performance, during the 2024 MTV VMAs, when he performed Houdini, with several doppelgangers who sported his iconic blonde haircut and beard.
The act recreated the rapper's iconic 2000s live set where Slim Shady performed alongside 100 look-alikes. Eminem was nominated for eight VMAs heading into the 2024 award ceremony, with the rapper taking home the Best Hip-Hop and Best Visual Effects for Houdini.
Other major winners from the 2024 VMAs include Megan Thee Stallion for 'Best Trending Video - Mamushi (Feat. Yuki Chiba)' and 'Best Art Direction - Boa,' BlackPink's Lisa for 'Best K-Pop - Rockstar,' and SZA for 'Best R&B - Snooze.'
Given that the rescheduling of the VMAs resulted in the award ceremony falling on the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, MTV supported the nonprofit 9/11 Day. The nonprofit annually organizes the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance and Tuesday’s Children, which serves families of those affected by the September 11 attacks.
