What would you say is the most iconic performance in VMA history? Was it Madonna's “Like a Virgin” from the very first show in 1984, where she wore a bra/wedding dress combo and rolled around on the floor?
Or Madonna's rendition of the same song and the then-current release of “Hollywood” featuring Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and a guest rap by Missy Elliott from the 2003 show? The performance caused a stir (nothing new for Madonna) thanks to the reversal of gender roles and homosexuality.
Or would you go with Beyoncé's 'Love on Top' from 2011, in which she cuddled her baby bump to celebrate her pregnancy? Or Katy Perry's performance of “Roar” live from Empire-Fulton Ferry Park in Brooklyn, which closed the 2013 show? The list of seven VMA nominees included two performances from the 2009 show – Lady Gaga's 'Paparazzi' (in which she appeared to be bleeding on stage; it was just an effect) and Taylor Swift's 'You Belong With Me'.
The final contender – the only one by a man – is Eminem's rendition of “The Real Slim Shady” and “The Way I Am” from the 2000 show. Eminem opened the show outside Radio City Music Hall and continued as was walking into the theater followed by a hundred Eminem lookalikes.
The 2024 VMAs also announced nominees in three other social categories: Song of Summer, Best Group and Best Trending Video. All voting will be hosted on the @MTV Instagram Story.
MTV also announced a “bonus week” of voting in general categories, now closing on September 6 at 6 p.m. ET. Fans vote for their favorites in 15 gender-neutral categories, including video of the year, by visiting The MTV website. Voting for Best New Artist will remain active at the show.
With the nominations in these four social categories added up, Taylor Swift maintains her lead as the year's top nominee (12), followed by Post Malone (11), Eminem (eight), Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, Sabrina Carpenter and SZA (seven each). Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, GloRilla, LISA, Olivia Rodrigo and Teddy Swims (four each).
The 2024 MTV VMAs are set to air live on Wednesday, September 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT from New York's UBS Arena. Megan Thee Stallion is set to host the show. Katy Perry will receive the Video Vanguard Award and perform as well.
The 2024 show will take place just three days before the 40th anniversary of the inaugural VMAs at Radio City Music Hall.
Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Camila Cabello, GloRilla and Rauw Alejandro were the first artists to perform at the awards. were announced on August 12. Benson Boone, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz and LISA were added to the lineup on August 21st. Shawn Mendes, Anitta, Karol G and LL Cool J were added on August 27th.
Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are executive producers for VMAs 2024. Barb Bialkowski is co-executive producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba serve as executive producers. Wendy Plaut is a celebrity talent executive. Lisa Lauricella is a music talent executive.
Here are the candidates in the four social categories, along with information on how to vote.
The most iconic VMAs performances
24 hours of fan voting for the new category celebrating some of the most memorable VMA performances from the show's history begins Tuesday, September 10 at 11am. ET on @MTV Instagram Story (one round, tap to vote). ends September 11th @ 11am. ET.
Beyoncé – “Love on Top” (2011)
Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, Missy Elliott – “Like a Virgin” & “Hollywood” (2003)
Eminem – “The Real Slim Shady” & “The Way I Am” (2000)
Katy Perry – “Roar” (2013, Live from Empire-Fulton Ferry Park)
Lady Gaga – “Paparazzi” (2009)
Madonna – “Like a Virgin” (1984)
Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me” (2009)
Best video trends
Fans will vote on the newly added category celebrating the artist's videos and/or songs that inspired fans to create content related to the video and/or song starting September 2nd at 11am. ET on @MTV Instagram Story (one round, tap to vote); closes Sept. 3 @ 11 a.m. ET.
Beyoncé – “Texas Hold 'Em” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
Camila Cabello feat. Playboi Carti – “I Luv It” – Geffen / Interscope Records
Chappell Roan – “Hot to Go!” – Amusement Records / Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Charli XCX – “Apple” – Atlantic Records
Megan Thee Stallion feat. Yuki Chiba – “Mamushi” – Hot Girl Productions
Tinashe – “Nasty” – Nice Life Recording Company
Best group
Fan voting for the favorite team in all genres will begin on Tuesday, September 3 at 11am. ET on @MTV Instagram Story (two-round bracket-style showdown, final round tap to vote). closes September 6th @ 11am ET.
*NSYNC – RCA Records
Coldplay – Atlantic Records
Imagine Dragons – KIDinaKorner / Interscope Records
NCT Dream – SM Entertainment / Virgin Music Group
NewJeans – ADOR / Geffen Records
SEVENTEEN – PLEDIS Entertainment / Geffen Records
TOMORROW X TOGETHER – GREAT MUSIC / IMPERIAL / Republic Records
Twenty One Pilots – Fueled By Ramen
The song of summer
Fan voting for the all-around favorite hit of summer 2024 will begin on Friday, September 6 at 11am. ET on @MTV Instagram Story (three rounds bracket-style, last round tap to vote). closes September 10 at 11am ET.
Ariana Grande – “We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records
Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records
Billie Eilish – “Birds of a Feather” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Chappell Roan – “Good Luck, Baby!” – Amusement Records / Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Charli XCX & Billie Eilish – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” – Atlantic Records
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – “Like That” – Wilburn Holding Co. / Boominati / Epic / Republic
GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion – “Wanna Be” – CMG / Interscope Records
Hozier – “Too Sweet” – Columbia Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang, exclusively licensed to Interscope Records
Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen – “I Had Some Help” – Mercury / Republic / Big Loud
Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Island
Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – American Dogwood / EMPIRE
SZA – “Saturn” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records
Tommy Richman – “Million Dollar Baby” – ISO Supremacy / PULSE Records / Concord
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2024-vmas-nominees-social-categories-most-iconic-performance-history-1235764453/