The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) have been one of the most highly anticipated music events in modern history, bringing together some of the biggest names in the industry to celebrate their achievements. The award show has taken place annually since 1984 and is known for its eclectic mix of nominees, high-energy performances, and eccentric fashion choices. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply looking to keep up with pop culture’s latest trends and news, here’s everything you need to know about the VMAs.
First things first: when are the VMAs taking place this year? In recent years, they’ve typically taken place in August or September. However, due to ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19 and public gatherings, there isn’t an official date set yet for 2021. Keep checking back on MTV’s website or social media channels for updates as they become available.
Now let’s talk about how you can watch the VMAs. As with most award shows these days, there are several ways to tune in depending on your preferences. If you have cable TV at home, you can watch it live on MTV (check your local listings for channel information). Alternatively, if you prefer streaming content online or don’t have access to cable TV, many platforms offer live streaming services such as Hulu Live TV and Sling TV that carry MTV programming.
Next up: who is hosting this year’s ceremony? Again, we don’t know yet! In previous years, famous faces such as Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus have hosted the show – both artists themselves who brought their unique flair to proceedings – so it will be interesting to see who fills those shoes next!
Let’s move onto arguably what makes VMAs so special—performances! One thing that sets VMAs apart from other award shows is its emphasis on live musical performances throughout the night. Artists often use this platform as an opportunity to showcase new material or collaborate with fellow musicians. Some of the most memorable performances in recent years have included Beyoncé’s medley from her self-titled album, Lady Gaga’s meat dress performance, and Madonna’s tribute to Prince.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a music award show without the awards themselves! The VMAs recognize achievements in various categories such as Best Song of the Year, Video of the Year, Best Collaboration and more. In addition to traditional categories like these, there are also “specialty” categories that change each year – for example, past specialty categories have included “Video with a Message” and “Best Art Direction”. Fans can vote for their favorite artists via MTV’s website leading up to the show.
Now let’s dive into some of our predictions for this year’s nominees. It goes without saying that 2020 was an unusual year due to COVID-19 which impacted many aspects of daily life including how music videos were produced and released. That being said, we expect some strong contenders among this year’s nominees:
1) Taylor Swift – Folklore: Taylor Swift surprised fans by releasing her eighth studio album “Folklore” in July 2020 with only one day notice. Her lead single “Cardigan” debuted at number one on Billboard Hot 100 and its accompanying video has already amassed over 72 million views on Youtube.
2) BTS – Dynamite: Korean boy band BTS released their first all-English language single “Dynamite” last August which became a global sensation almost overnight. Its retro-inspired music video broke several YouTube records including most viewed video within 24 hours with over 101 million views!
3) Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers License: American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo made headlines earlier this year when she released debut single “Drivers License”, which went viral across social media platforms thanks to its relatable lyrics about heartbreak. The song spent eight weeks atop Billboard Hot 100 chart while its accompanying music video has over 184 million views on Youtube.
4) Doja Cat – Say So: Doja Cat’s “Say So” was one of the biggest hits of 2020, spending multiple weeks at number one on Billboard Hot 100. The accompanying music video features a nostalgic ‘70s disco vibe and has over 235 million views on YouTube.
5) Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow – Industry Baby: Lil Nas X made headlines this summer with the release of his single “Industry Baby” featuring Jack Harlow which ruffled some feathers due to its explicit lyrics and provocative music video. We wouldn’t be surprised to see it nominated for awards such as Best Collaboration or Video of the Year!
Finally, let’s talk about what we can expect in terms of fashion when it comes to VMAs – after all, this is an event where stars often push boundaries when it comes to their red carpet attire! Some past memorable looks have included Lady Gaga’s meat dress (yes, really), Britney Spears’ iconic denim outfit from 2001, and Lil Kim’s purple jumpsuit with matching nipple pasty from 1999. Celebrities use this platform as an opportunity to make bold statements or showcase their personal style so we’re excited to see what they’ll come up with next!
In conclusion, while there are still many unknowns surrounding this year’s MTV Video Music Awards show such as who will host and perform – even a date set in stone – we can count on another unforgettable night filled with great music performances, fashion moments that leave us talking for days afterwards and celebrating the successes of some of our favourite artists!