Last year, at the MTV Video Music Awards, the nation watched with one eyebrow raised as host Miley Cyrus strut around the stage stoned off her ass while she talked about pot brownies and got verbally accosted by Nicki Minaj on live television for talking smack to the press. Needless to say, last year’s VMAs were a sight to behold, and aside from Miley’s antics, also featured Justin Bieber crying post-performance and a Kanye West rant that ended with him announcing that he’d run for President in 2020.
This year’s event may not be as bizarre as the 2015 VMAs, but it will most certainly be an entertaining night at Madison Square Garden in New York City, which is where the award show is being held. Although MTV has done a surprisingly good job of keeping most of the show’s surprises under wraps, they’ve already confirmed performances from Future, Rihanna, Nick Jonas (featuring Ty Dolla $ign), and oh yeah, the pop legend Britney Spears, who will be making her first VMA performance in 10 years. Rihanna is expected to perform after accepting the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard, an award given to musicians who have profoundly affected the culture of MTV (last year’s winner was Kanye West).
Earlier this week, MTV announced that this year’s pre-show would be hosted by the key holder himself, DJ Khaled, who will also act as a correspondent for the main event alongside Charlamagne Tha God and Lizzo from MTV’s Wonderland.
The host of the actual show has remained a secret for now, although rumors have claimed that MTV has been aiming to get Kanye West to host ever since his tirade at last year’s VMAs. In fact, TMZ recently reported that Kanye will essentially be given free reign over the event, and will be slotted for at least four minutes on stage to do whatever he wants. Other rumored performances include a duet by Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande, Beyonce, while word is out the Frank Ocean and Barbra Streisand will present with Video Vanguard Award to Rihanna.
Some of most popular artists of the year will battle to take home a VMA. Prominent artists like Adele, Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Drake, and Kanye West will vie for “Video of the Year”. One of the most competitive and exciting categories of the entire show is “Song of Summer”, which will include a number of hit songs that have flooded the airwaves throughout Summer 16. Nominees for this award include:
The Chainsmokers (featuring Halsey) — "Closer"
Drake (featuring Kyla and Wizkid) — "One Dance"
Fifth Harmony (featuring Fetty Wap) — "All in My Head (Flex)"
Selena Gomez — "Kill Em with Kindness"
Calvin Harris (featuring Rihanna) — "This Is What You Came For"
Nick Jonas (featuring Ty Dolla Sign) — "Bacon"
Kent Jones — "Don't Mind"
Major Lazer (featuring Justin Bieber and MØ) — "Cold Water"
Sia — "Cheap Thrills"
Justin Timberlake — "Can't Stop the Feeling!"
All in all, it seems as if MTV is planning to pull out all of the stops at this year’s VMAs, and they’re doing a pretty good job keep their surprise appearances and performances a secret.
We may not get to see Miley Cyrus ranting about weed brownies again, but regardless, the 2016 VMAs are shaping up to be a special one. Tune in to MTV this Sunday at 9PM to find out who will steal the spotlight at this year’s show (my money is on Kanye).