Awards
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Next week, Sabrina Carpenter and NLE Choppa are set to perform on the MTV VMAs’ pre-show. And if their goal is to perform on the main telecast in future years, they’re in good company: A booking on the pre-show has often served as a steppingstone to bigger bookings down the line.
Many future A-listers made their first VMAs performances on the pre-show. Nicki Minaj, last year’s recipient of the Video Vanguard Award (and this year’s “emcee,” when the show goes live Tuesday, Sept. 12, at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.), performed on the pre-show in 2010. And she’s not the only Video Vanguard winner who started out on the pre-show: Rihanna, who performed on the pre-show in 2010, got the Video Vanguard honor in 2016. Foo Fighters, who received a Global Icon Award in 2021 – and may very well be Video Vanguard winners one day — performed on the pre-show in 1997.
In all, 16 acts who first performed on the VMAs’ pre-show later stepped up to performing on the main show. The list also includes such heavy hitters as Usher, Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato.
Dozens more stars who first performed on the pre-show have yet to step onto the MTV main stage, for whatever reason:. They include No Doubt (who performed on the pre-show in 1996), Barenaked Ladies (1998), Smash Mouth (1999), Papa Roach (2000), Avril Lavigne (2002), Sean Paul (2003), Jadakiss (2004), Fergie (2006), My Chemical Romance (2006), Charli XCX (2014), Cardi B (2017), Ava Max (2019), Megan Thee Stallion (2019), Tate McRae (2020), Machine Gun Kelly (2020), Polo G (2021) and Swedish House Mafia (2021).
So, why didn’t the VMA producers book some of these acts for the main show instead of the pre-show? The show is pretty packed every year. Also, sometimes, their most timely hits broke big after the VMAs’ line-up was set. The VMAs usually air in late August or early September, but the bookings are generally made and announced weeks before that.
In some cases, the hits were helped along in their chart climbs by the VMAs exposure. Barenaked Ladies’ “One Week,” which they performed on the pre-show in September 1998, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 the following month. Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves),” which she performed on the pre-show in August 2017, hit No. 1 in October 2017.
Performances on the pre-show may have helped a few artists land key Grammy nominations. Many Grammy voters watch the VMAs, just as thoughts are turning to that other, longer-established show. Avril Lavigne performed “Complicated” on the pre-show in 2002, and went on to receive a song of the year nomination for that song at the Grammys. The Black Eyed Peas performed “Where Is the Love?” on the pre-show in 2003 and went on to receive a record of the year nomination at the Grammys.
Here are the 16 acts who performed on the pre-show on their way to the main telecast. You’ll be amazed at some of the big stars who had wait their turn to get invited to the main event.
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Fall Out Boy will perform at the MTV Video Music Awards for the first time since 2007 on Tuesday (Sept. 12), while Peso Pluma and Metro Boomin will make their performance debuts on the show.
The show will air live from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Pluma is one of a record four Latin artists performing on this year’s VMAs. He joins Shakira, who is set to receive the Video Vanguard Award, Anitta and Karol G.
Likewise, Metro Boomin is one of four hip-hop stars set to perform on the show. He joins Nicki Minaj, is set to emcee the show; Diddy, who is set to receive the Global Icon Award, and Lil Wayne. In addition, the show will include a 50th anniversary salute to hip-hop, something that has been all but mandatory on awards shows this year. And it will include a performance by pop star Doja Cat, whose music incorporates hip-hop.
Fall Out Boy first performed on the VMAs in 2005, singing “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down.” They returned two years later to perform “Shut Up and Drive” featuring Rihanna and “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs.” The band has two nominations this year – best alternative for “Hold It Like a Grudge” and best visual effects for “Love From the Other Side.”
Fall Out Boy has won four VMAs, including three wins in a row in 2005 (an MTV 2 award for “Sugar, We’re Goin Down), 2006 (the viewers choice award for “Dance, Dance”) and 2007 (best group). The group won best rock video in 2015 for “Uma Thurman.”
Metro Boomin and Pluma are both first-time VMA nominees as well as first-time VMA performers.
Metro Boomin will perform two songs, both with big-name assists – “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” with Future and “Calling” with A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Swae Lee and NAV. According to MTV, they will appear “on stage together for the first time ever.”
“Superhero (Heroes and Villains)” is nominated for best hip-hop, one of four nominations for Metro Boomin. He is also up for album of the year for Heroes & Villains and two awards (best collaboration and best R&B) for the “Creepin’” remix which featured The Weeknd, 21 Savage and Diddy.
Pluma is contending in three categories — best new artist, best Latin for “Ella Baila Sola,” a collab with Eslabon Armado, and song of the summer for “La Bebe (Remix),” a collab with Yng Lvcas.
With the addition of social categories, Taylor Swift leads all nominees for the 2023 VMAs with 11 nods, followed by SZA (eight); BLACKPINK, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and Rodrigo (six each); Kim Petras and Sam Smith (five each); and Beyoncé, Diddy, Drake, Ice Spice, Karol G, Metro Boomin, Shakira and TOMORROW X TOGETHER (four each).
General fan voting is now closed; voting remains open for social categories and best new artist.
Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are executive producers of the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. Barb Bialkowski is co-executive producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba serve as executives in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is music talent executive.
After The New York Times reported that controversial artist Ghostwriter submitted the A.I.-generated song “Heart on My Sleeve” for Grammy consideration, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. is refuting its eligibility in a short Instagram video shared Thursday (Sept. 7).
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In the clip, Mason Jr. walks back on his original comments in the Times article, in which he had previously deemed “Heart on My Sleeve” — the song that mimics Drake and The Weeknd’s voices — as “absolutely eligible because it was written by a human.”
“I’m sorry, but I have to clear up some of this bad and really inaccurate information that’s starting to float around,” he said in the video. “This version of ‘Heart on My Sleeve’ using the A.I. voice modeling that sounds like Drake and The Weeknd, it’s not eligible for Grammy consideration.”
“Let me be extra, extra clear, even though it was written by a human creator, the vocals were not legally obtained, the vocals were not cleared by the label or the artists and the song is not commercially available and because of that, it’s not eligible,” he continued.
He later added, “I take this [A.I.] stuff very seriously. It’s all complicated, and it’s moving, really, really quickly. I’m sure things are going to continue to have to evolve and change. But please, please, do not be confused. The Academy is here to support and advocate and protect and represent human artists, and human creators period.”
The Times reported that Ghostwriter submitted “Heart on My Sleeve” for song of the year and best rap song for the 2024 ceremony. The song was pulled from streaming services in April, and UMG slammed its usage of A.I. to generate vocals, and said that it demonstrated “why platforms have a fundamental legal and ethical responsibility to prevent the use of their services in ways that harm artists.”
Watch Mason Jr.’s full explanation of the song’s non-eligibility below.
Wilson is nominated for her own hit “Heart Like a Truck” and as a featured artist on HARDY’s “Wait in the Truck.”
Wynonna will receive the Country Champion Award at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards, which is set to air live from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
And Wy will head right back to the Opry on Oct. 3 when she hosts Christmas at the Opry, a two-hour special that will air Thursday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
The People’s Choice Country Awards will air live on NBC and Peacock while Christmas at the Opry will air on NBC and next day on Peacock. The latter show is seen as competition for CMA Country Christmas, a fixture on ABC since 2010. Carly Pearce hosted last year’s show, which aired on Dec. 8, 2022.
“Wynonna is one of the most recognized and lauded performers in country music,” Cassandra Tryon, senior vice president, live events, NBCUniversal Entertainment, said in a statement. “Not only is she incredibly talented, her selflessness and passion for putting the needs of others in the spotlight is unmatched. We can’t think of a better person to honor as our inaugural ‘Country Champion’ and to celebrate the holidays with across these two major country music events.”
As the Country Champion recipient at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards, Wynonna will be celebrated for her decades-long career and efforts around philanthropy and activism. She has used her public platform to advocate for children, military veterans and their families, disaster relief and more through her work with such organizations as the Wounded Warrior Project and Habitat for Humanity.
As previously announced, Toby Keith will receive the Country Icon Award on the show.
The same producers are behind both shows. People’s Choice Country Awards is produced by Den of Thieves with Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager and Barb Bialkowski serving as executive producers, along with RAC Clark as executive producer and showrunner.
Christmas at the Opry is executive produced by Ignjatovic, Prager and Bialkowski for Den of Thieves along with Clark and Jen Jones.
Tickets for the Oct. 3 taping of Christmas at the Opry, in front of a live audience, are on sale now at Opry.com. The performer lineup will be announced at a later date.
NBC calls these projects “an example of collaboration resulting from NBCUniversal’s equity investment in Opry Entertainment Group alongside Atairos, which was finalized last year.”
Nicki Minaj is set to reprise her dual role from last year as emcee and performer for 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. The VMAs will air live from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Last year, Minaj emceed the show with LL Cool J and Jack Harlow. She also performed a nine-song medley keyed to her receiving the Video Vanguard Award. This year, she’s flying solo as emcee and is performing her new single, “Last Time I Saw You.”
MTV’s announcement of Minaj’s booking never once mentions the h-word – host. It instead refers to her as the “emcee” several times. But it sure makes it sound like she’s hosting: “Minaj will announce the show’s star-studded lineup of performers, presenters and winners.”
This marks the first time someone has fronted the show two years running since comedian Russell Brand did the honors in 2008-09.
Last year, in addition to serving as emcee and performer, Minaj won best hip-hop and received the Video Vanguard Award, which this year is set to go to Shakira.
Minaj has won six VMAs from 25 nominations. She has six nominations this year – artist of the year; video of the year, best hip-hop and best visual effects, all for “Super Freaky Girl”; best R&B for “Love in the Way”; and song of summer for “Barbie World” (a collab with Ice Spice that features Aqua).
Minaj has won best hip-hop four times, more than anyone else in the show’s history. (Drake is in second place with three wins.) She won for “Super Bass” (2011), “Anaconda” (2015), “Chun-Li” (2018) and “Do We Have a Problem,” a collab with Lil Baby (2022).
Minaj has also won twice in other categories. She won best female video in 2012 for “Starships” and best power anthem in 2019 for Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hot Girl Summer” (on which she was featured, along with Ty Dolla Sign).
It’s hard to imagine, but Minaj was booked on the VMAs’ pre-show in 2010. She teamed with will.i.am to perform “Your Love” and “Check It Out.” She graduated to the main telecast in 2012, delivering an unexpected rap verse on Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire.” In 2014, she staged a trifecta, first taking fans to the Amazonian jungle with “Anaconda,” then teaming up with Ariana Grande and Jessie J for “Bang Bang,” and finally offering “She Came to Give It to U” with Usher.
In 2015, Minaj’s performance again formed a trio of songs, starting with “Trini Dem Girls,” before bringing Taylor Swift on stage for “The Night Is Still Young” and “Bad Blood.” She reunited with Grande in 2016 for “Side to Side,” and shared the stage with host Katy Perry in 2017 for a performance of “Swish Swish.”
Her 2018 performance featured a rap medley from her album Queen, featuring “Majesty,” “Ganga Burn,” “FEFE” and “Barbie Dreams.”
With the addition of social categories, Taylor Swift leads all nominees for the 2023 VMAs with 11 nods, followed by SZA (eight); BLACKPINK, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and Rodrigo (six each); Kim Petras and Sam Smith (five each); and Beyoncé, Diddy, Drake, Ice Spice, Karol G, Metro Boomin, Shakira and TOMORROW X TOGETHER (four each).
General fan voting is now closed; voting remains open for social categories and best new artist.
Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are executive producers of the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. Barb Bialkowski is co-executive producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba serve as executives in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is music talent executive.
Ezra Collective’s Where I’m Meant to Be won the Mercury Prize on Thursday (Sept. 7), making the London jazz quintet the first jazz act to win that prestigious award. The Mercury Prize celebrates the best of British and Irish music across a range of contemporary music genres. This year’s ceremony was held at Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London.
Accepting the award, drummer Femi Koleoso said, “This is not just a result for Ezra Collective, or for UK jazz, but this is a special moment for every single organization across the country, ploughing efforts and time into young people playing music.”
Where I’m Meant to Be, Ezra Collective’s second studio album, was written and recorded in lockdown. But rather than reflect the isolation of the COVID-19 era, the album has been described by BBC as “a joyous celebration of community, positivity and friendship.”
The album was produced by the band and Riccardo Damian, and features a diverse roster of musicians, including Sampa the Great, Kojey Radical, Emeli Sandé and Nao, as well as filmmaker Steve McQueen.
Where I’m Meant to Be reached No. 24 on the Official U.K. Albums chart, a strong showing for a jazz album. On this side of the pond, it debuted and peaked at No. 15 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.
The album was nominated for best jazz record at the 2022 Libera Awards. But it draws on several other genres, including grime, salsa and reggae.
Speaking to BBC News after being announced as winners, Koleoso explained: “We’re the shuffle generation of music, we listen to some Beethoven, and then 50 Cent comes on straight after, and then Little Simz comes on just after that. And that kind of influences the way we approach music. So, there are no rules. We love jazz, but at the same time we love salsa too, so why not try and get that in there?”
The other albums in contention for the top prize were Arctic Monkeys’ The Car, Fred again.’s Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022), J Hus’ Beautiful and Brutal Yard, Jessie Ware’s That! Feels Good!, Jockstrap’s I Love You Jennifer B, Lankum’s False Lankum, Loyle Carner’s hugo, Olivia Dean’s Messy, RAYE’s My 21st Century Blues, Shygirl’s Nymph and Young Fathers’ Heavy Heavy.
Broadcaster Lauren Laverne hosted the ceremony, which featured live performances from nine of the shortlisted artists, including Jessie Ware and RAYE.
Last year’s Mercury Prize winner was London rapper Little Simz for her fourth album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.
Ice Spice received the inaugural BMI Impact Award at the 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, which were held at LIV Nightclub in Miami Beach on Wednesday (Sept. 6). As previously announced, Lil Wayne received the BMI Icon Award.
The private event was hosted by BMI president/CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI vp of creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.
Over the course of the ceremony, BMI also recognized the top producers and songwriters of 2022’s 35 most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs in the United States, leading up to song of the year, which went to “About Damn Time,” written by Ricky Reed and Blake Slatkin. Lizzo’s recording of the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks and won a Grammy for record of the year.
As one of 2023’s biggest breakout stars, Ice Spice has had four top 10 hits on the Hot 100 so far this year, thanks to collaborations with Taylor Swift, Pink Pantheress, Nicki Minaj and Aqua.
As a member of the BMI family for more than 20 years, Lil Wayne has amassed 53 BMI Awards, was named BMI Songwriter of the Year four times and now adds BMI Icon to his collection of accolades. R&B and hip-hop royalty paid tribute to Lil Wayne with performances of some of his most popular songs: Big Freedia opened with a medley, Bobby V followed with “Mrs. Officer,” NLE Choppa offered “A Milli” and Trombone Shorty played a set.
As the 2023 BMI Icon, Lil Wayne joins an elite group of music creators including Busta Rhymes, Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers, Snoop Dogg, The Jacksons, LA Reid, Babyface, Al Green, Isaac Hayes and James Brown.
Songwriter of the year was a three-way tie with Chris Brown (“Baddest,” “Come Through,” Under the Influence”), Doja Cat (“Get Into It (Yuh),” “Vegas,” “Woman”) and Tems (“Free Mind,” “Lift Me Up,” “Wait for U”) sharing the title; each wrote three of the previous year’s most-performed songs.
Hitmakers Tay Keith and Lil Yachty were each named producer of the year. Keith was honored for his work on hits such as “Jimmy Cooks” by Drake, “Rich Flex” by Drake and 21 Savage and “Hot Sh-t” by Cardi B featuring Kanye West and Lil Durk. Yachty was cited for “BackOutsideBoyz” and “Search & Rescue” by Drake as well as “Major Distribution” by Drake and 21 Savage.
ATL Jacob, Rob Bisel, Dougie F, Finatik N Zac, RiotUSA and Metro Boomin were also named top producers of the year.
Sony Music Publishing was named BMI’s R&B/hip-hop publisher of the year for representing 20 of the previous year’s most-performed songs including “About Damn Time,” “Break My Soul,” “Get Into It (Yuh)” and “First Class.”
In celebration of 50 years of hip-hop, BMI brought together multiple stars for performances representing key locations in the history of the genre. Ja Rule and Doug E. Fresh represented New York. Too Short dedicated his set to the West Coast. Ying Yang Twins represented Atlanta. Flo Milli introduced the Miami sounds of Trick Daddy and Trina. Additional performers included Mannie Fresh and Capella Grey.
To see a complete list of winners, visit https://www.bmi.com/randbhiphop2023.
Cardi B and 21 Savage are the leading nominees for the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards with 12 nods each. The two stars are going head-to-head in seven categories – best collaboration, lyricist of the year, hip-hop artist of the year, hustler of the year, best hip-hop video, sweet 16: best featured verse and song of the year.
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Drake is next in line with nine nods. He is followed on the leaderboard by Burna Boy and DJ Khaled with seven nods each; J. Cole with six nods; Coi Leray, GloRilla and Jay-Z with five nods each; Lil Uzi Vert with four; and DaBaby, Kendrick Lamar, Latto, Lil Durk, Megan Thee Stallion and Metro Boomin with three nods each.
Five women rappers rank among the most nominated, with Cardi B followed by Leray, GloRilla, Latto and Megan Thee Stallion.
The show will tape in Atlanta on Tuesday, Oct. 3, and will premiere on BET one week later, on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
“This year’s BET Hip Hop Awards will mark the culmination of our yearlong celebration of hip-hop’s storied creation and the art form’s sonic and cultural expansion,” Connie Orlando, BET’s EVP specials, music programming & music strategy, said in a statement. “We are honored by this year’s roster of nominees as they continue to carry the creativity and diversity of hip hop into the future. We congratulate each nominee on their accomplishments as they take hip hop artistry to new heights.”
Orlando will oversee the annual show along with Jamal Noisette, BET’s vp, specials & music programming; Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment; and Jeannae Rouzan–Clay and Dionne Harmon, top execs at Jesse Collins Entertainment.
BET promises that “the telecast will salute 50 years of hip-hop with not-to-be-missed moments and performances.”
Fans can start voting for DJ of the year, producer of the year, and best hip hop platform on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at noon ET on the BET website, where more information about the awards is also available.
Here’s the complete list of 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards nominees:
Hip-hop artist of the year
21 Savage
Burna Boy
Cardi B
Drake
Glorilla
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Uzi Vert
Song of the year
“All My Life,” Lil Durk feat. J. Cole
“God Did,” DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z , John Legend & Fridayy
“Just Wanna Rock,” Lil Uzi Vert
“Players,” Coi Leray
“Put It On Da Floor Again,” Latto feat. Cardi B
“Rich Flex,” Drake & 21 Savage
“Sittin’ On Top Of The World,” Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage
“Tomorrow 2,” GloRilla & Cardi B
Hip hop album of the year
Anyways, Life’s Great…, Glorilla
Coi, Coi Leray
God Did, DJ Khaled
Her Loss, Drake & 21 Savage
Heroes & Villains, Metro Boomin
Jackman, Jack Harlow
Pink Tape, Lil Uzi Vert
Traumazine, Megan Thee Stallion
Best hip-hop video
“Just Wanna Rock,” Lil Uzi Vert
“Players” (DJ Smallz 732 – Jersey Club Remix), Coi Leray
“Put It On Da Floor Again,” Latto feat. Cardi B
“Shake Sumn,” DaBaby
“Sittin’ On Top Of The World ,” Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage
“Spin Bout U,” Drake & 21 Savage
“Tomorrow 2,” Glorilla & Cardi B
Best collaboration
“All My Life,” Lil Durk feat. J. Cole
“God Did,” DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend & Fridayy
“Players” (DJ Saige Remix), Coi Leray feat. Busta Rhymes
“Princess Diana,” Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj
“Put It On Da Floor Again,” Latto feat. Cardi B
“Sittin’ On Top Of The World,” Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage
“Tomorrow 2,” Glorilla & Cardi B
Impact track
“30,” Nas
“All My Life,” Lil Durk Feat. J. Cole
“Anxiety,” Megan Thee Stallion
“Can’t Win for Nothing,” Symba
“Champions,” NLE Choppa
“God Did,” DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend & Fridayy
“Scientists & Engineers,” Killer Mike & André 3000 feat. Future & Eryn Allen Kane
“Therapy Pt. 2,” Robert Glasper feat. Mac Miller
Best duo or group
City Girls
DJ Drama & Jeezy
Drake & 21 Savage
Earthgang
Larry June & The Alchemist
Quavo & Takeoff
Rae Sremmurd
Best live performer
Burna Boy
Busta Rhymes
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Dababy
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Megan Thee Stallion
Best breakthrough hip-hop artist
Armani White
Central Cee
Doechii
Finesse2tymes
Ice Spice
Kaliii
Lola Brooke
Sexyy Redd
Lyricist of the year
21 Savage
André 3000
Burna Boy
Cardi B
Conway The Machine
Drake
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
Producer of the year
Atl Jacob
DJ Khaled
Dr. Dre
Hit-Boy
Hitmaka
Kaytranada
London On Da Track
Metro Boomin
The Alchemist
Video director of the year
Anderson .Paak
Cole Bennett
Colin Tilley
DaBaby & Reel Goats
Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Dave Meyers
Travis Scott
DJ of the year
Chase B
D-Nice
DJ Cassidy
DJ Clark Kent
DJ Drama
DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Khaled
Kaytranada
Metro Boomin
Best hip-hop platform
AllHipHop
Caresha Please
Drink Champs
Hiphop Dx
Million Dollaz Worth Of Game
Rap Caviar
The Breakfast Club
The Joe Budden Podcast
XXL
Hustler of the year
21 Savage
50 Cent
Burna Boy
Cardi B
Caresha
DJ Khaled
Drake
Jay-Z
Sweet 16: best featured verse
21 Savage, “Creepin’” (Metro Boomin feat. The Weeknd & 21 Savage)
21 Savage, “Peaches & Eggplants” (Young Nudy feat. 21 Savage)
André 3000, “Scientists & Engineers” (Killer Mike & André 3000 feat. Future & Eryn Allen Kane)
Cardi B, “Tomorrow 2” (Glorilla & Cardi B)
Cardi B, “Put It On Da Floor Again” (Latto feat. Cardi B)
Drake, “Oh U Went” (Young Thug feat. Drake)
J. Cole, “All My Life” (Lil Durk feat. J. Cole)
Jay-Z, “God Did” (DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z , John Legend & Fridayy)
Best international flow
Aka (South Africa)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Central Cee (UK)
Gazo (France)
J Hus (UK)
K.O (South Africa)
Major Rd (Brazil)
Ninho (France)
Sampa The Great (Zambia)
Tasha & Tracie (Brazil)
Olivia Rodrigo is set to perform at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, live from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Rodrigo had a memorable night at the VMAs two years ago. She performed “Good 4 U” and won three awards, which enabled her to tie BTS and Lil Nas X for the most awards of the night. She won best new artist as well as two awards for “Drivers License” – song of the year and PUSH performance of the year.
Rodrigo has six VMA nominations this year – all for “Vampire,” which in July became her third single (following “Drivers License” and “Good 4 U”) to enter the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1. “Vampire” is up for video of the year, song of the year, best pop, song of summer, best cinematography and best editing.
Rodrigo was precisely the kind of mainstream pop superstar booking this year’s VMAs needed. She and Doja Cat may be the Sept. 12 show’s best “gets” to date, in terms of serving the show’s target audience. The performer lineup also includes Anitta, Demi Lovato, Karol G, Kelsea Ballerini, Lil Wayne, Måneskin, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Shakira, Stray Kids and TOMORROW X TOGETHER. Though the show is almost upon us, MTV says additional performers are still to be announced.
Shakira will receive MTV’s Video Vanguard Award and perform live on the show for the first time since 2006. Diddy will accept the Global Icon Award and perform live on the show for the first time since 2005.
Rodrigo’s sophomore album, Guts, is set for release on Friday (Sept. 8), just four days before the VMAs. Her debut album, Sour, logged five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2021.
Rodrigo, just 20, is the youngest artist in Hot 100 history to have three singles enter the chart at No. 1. She is also the first artist ever to debut atop the Hot 100 with the lead singles from two career-opening albums.
With the addition of social categories, Taylor Swift leads all nominees for the 2023 VMAs with 11 nods, followed by SZA (eight); BLACKPINK, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and Rodrigo (six each); Kim Petras and Sam Smith (five each); and Beyoncé, Diddy, Drake, Ice Spice, Karol G, Metro Boomin, Shakira and TOMORROW X TOGETHER (four each).
General fan voting is now closed; voting remains open for social categories and best new artist.
Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are executive producers of the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. Barb Bialkowski is co-executive producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba serve as executives in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is music talent executive.