The 2021 MTV Video Music Awards took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday (Sept. 12). Hosted by Doja Cat, the awards ceremony consisted of a mixture of veteran artists and newer entertainers.
One moment, Jennifer Lopez, 52, and Ashanti, 40, are commanding the attention of everyone in impressive dress numbers showing off their lean and mean bodies. In another instance, Olivia Rodrigo, 18, and Lil Nas X, 22, are the talk of the town with their eccentric performances and award winnings — Rodrigo won “Song of the Year,” “Best New Artist,” and “Push Performance of the Year,” while Lil Nas X won “Video of the Year,” “Best Direction,” and “Best Visual Effects.”
Besides the backstage drama between Machine Gun Kelly, 31, and Conor McGregor, 33, fighting over a photo, some highlights of the VMAs included an inspiring women’s empowerment speech from “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” singer Cyndi Lauper where she stated that women also want equal pay and equal rights, and Madonna’s extra bootylicious appearance.
Doja Cat also tried her best to add shock value to the VMAs by wearing cartoon-inspired costumes during her hosting segments. The “Been Like This” pop star wore a getup that was similar to a colorful worm while her face peeked out like the sun featured in The Teletubbies. She also wore a duck-footed costume, but with Lil Nas X in the room and past VMA gimmicks by the likes of Lady Gaga and Kanye West, it was hard to be shocked by Doja’s fashion choices.
In fact, after a few tame performances, the MTV VMAs started to drag its feet — that was, until Chlöe Bailey hit the stage. Anticipation for her first solo performance without her sister Halle was beyond 10. Dawned in a revealing outfit, Chlöe performed the Tik Tok viral hit “Have Mercy” and it was totally reminiscent of Beyonce. Her performance consisted of pretty awesome vocals and a whole bunch of twirling and twerking.
Chlöe’s moment was followed by her peer Normani, who delivered a dance intensive performance of “Wild Side” that spruced up the awards show with perfection, ending the song with an ode to Janet Jackson as she did a slow grind on a bounded Teyana Taylor tied to an upright beam.
With that said, the liveliest performance of the night came from 49-year-old rapper Busta Rhymes. Opening his set with his 1997 hit “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” which was nominated for “Best Choreography” at the MTV VMAs in 1998, Busta infused a series of his hits in a fast-paced, head swinging medley alongside his longtime music peer Spliff Star. It was honestly one of the best performances of the night as Busta delivered his tongue twisting flows effortlessly.
Other performers that took the stage included Alicia Keys and Swae Lee, Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Doja Cat, Ed Sheeran, Jack Harlow, Kacey Musgraves, The Kid LAROI, Kim Petras, Latto, Lil Nas X, Machine Gun Kelly, Ozuna, Polo G, SAINt JHN, Swedish House Mafia, Tainy and Twenty One Pilots.
The complete list of winners are:
Song of the Year: Olivia Rodrigo – “drivers license”
Video of the Year: Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”
Artist of the Year: Justin Bieber
Best New Artist: Olivia Rodrigo – Geffen Records
Group of the Year: BTS
Push Performance of the Year: Olivia Rodrigo – “drivers license”
Best Hip-Hop: Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A. – “FRANCHISE”
Best R&B: Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – “Leave The Door Open”
Best Pop: Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon – “Peaches”
Best K-Pop: BTS – “Butter” – BIGHIT MUSIC Monsta X – “Gambler”
Best Latin: Billie Eilish & ROSALÍA – “Lo Vas A Olvidar”
Best Rock: John Mayer – “Last Train Home”
Best Alternative: Machine Gun Kelly ft. blackbear – “my ex’s best friend”
Best Collaboration: Doja Cat ft. SZA – “Kiss Me More”
Video for Good: Billie Eilish – “Your Power”
Best Direction: Lil Nas X and Tanu Muino (Directors), Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”
Best Art Direction: Art Haynes (Art Director), Saweetie ft. Doja Cat – “Best Friend”
Best Cinematography: Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid – “BROWN SKIN GIRL” – Cinematography by: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, MOHAMMAED ATTA AHMED, Santiago Gonzalez, Ryan Helfant
Best Choreography: Harry Styles – “Treat People With Kindness” – Choreography by: Paul Roberts
Best Editing: Troy Charbonnet (Editor), Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – “Leave The Door Open”
Best Visual Effects: Mathematic (Visual Effects), Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”
