2024 MTV VMAs Performances: Watch Them All
MTV’s VMAs threw a killer 40th anniversary party for the network’s signature awards telecast on Wednesday night (Sept. 11) during a three-hour extravaganza from UBS Arena in New York that was light on handing out on–screen awards, but super heavy on elaborate performances from some of the former video channel’s iconic stars to today’s chart-topping pop icons.
Speaking of MTV royalty, Slim Shady himself was back in the building to open the show with a throwback nod to one of his most memorable VMA moments when Eminem took the stage in a blonde wig alongside a parade of Marshall Mathers lookalikes for a run through “Houdini” and his Jelly Roll collab, “Somebody Save Me.”
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The first half of the show also included BLACKPINK’s LISA making her VMA solo debut for a high-energy run through her new Rosalía collab “New Woman,” followed by her solo single “Rockstar” while Shawn Mendes debuted his new Jeff Buckley-esque moody ballad “Nobody Knows.” Colombian superstar Karol G delivered a sultry performance of her hit single “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” (“If I Had Known You Before”) and Brazilian star Anitta turned the stage into a sizzling party with the premiere of “Paradise” featuring Fat Joe and DJ Khaled, and later “Savage Funk” and “Alegría” featuring Tiago PZK.
Sabrina Carpenter took us into space for a Marilyn Monroe and Britney Spears-channeling medley of “Please Please Please,” “Taste” and “Espresso,” Katy Perry blew minds with a dance-heavy mega-mix of her biggest hits before accepting her Video Vanguard award and 2024’s undisputed viral champ, Chappell Roan, gave us serious Roan of Arc vibes during her Gaga-goes-medieval run through breakthrough hit “Good Luck, Babe!”
Host Megan Thee Stallion lit it up with a fiery mash-up of “B.A.S.” and “Hiss” capped by a surprise appearance from Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba for “Mamushi,” Halsey rocked “Ego” from inside a suburban garage, Benson Boone flipped out in a glittery onesie while performing his breakthrough hit “Beautiful Things” and rock icon Lenny Kravitz ripped through “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” his disco-y 2024 single “Human” and the remake of 1998’s “Fly Away” featuring Migos’ Quavo, “Fly.”
One of the most eye-popping set pieces came during the Broadway-style VMAs debut from Puerto Rican rapper Rauw Alejandro during “Touching the Sky,” which transitioned into a Caribbean drummer jam on “Diluvio,” followed by his latest single, “Déjame Entrar.” The final hour of the show also featured a double-down from Memphis rapper GloRilla on her Hot 100 hits “Yeah Glo!” and “TGIF” and Camila Cabello bidding a fiery farewell to her ex with a mix of “June Gloom” and a smashing performance of “Godspeed.”
The night came to a hyped close with a career-spanning medley from LL Cool J, who saluted Def Jam Records on its 40th anniversary with help from DJ Z-Trip and Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Flavor Flav as he ran through “Headsprung,” PE’s “Bring the Noise,” as well as his own “Mama Said Knock You Out,” “Rock the Bells,” “Around the Way Girl” and “Goin’ Back to Cali,” as well as his new singles “Passion” and “Proclivities” before bumping down to “Doin’ It,” a song he first performed on his last VMAs set in 1996.
Check out all the night’s main stage performances below.
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