Moments from the 2024 VMAs

Lauren McCarty | Contributing Writer

(Photo Courtesy of Chappell Roan Official Instagram)

MTV’s 40th Video Music Awards was a celebration of past and present musical icons. Records were broken at the September 11 event held at the UBS Arena in New York. 

Taylor Swift won the video of the year award for the third year in a row. According to the Washington Post, she also became the first person to win Artist of the Year twice. Winning a total of seven awards this year, Swift now has 30 VMAs, tied with Beyonce for most VMAs for a single artist. 

Eminem also broke the record for most VMAS for a male artist with 15 awards total after winning awards for Best Hip-Hop Video and Best Visual Effects this year, NPR reported.

The show featured more live performances this year than award presentations, and viewers were not disappointed by the nostalgia-packed production. 

Host Megan Thee Stallion paid tribute to Britney Spears sporting her iconic 2001 ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ outfit, even holding a live snake during the performance. In a mashup of some of her popular songs, Stallion later performed her songs “B.O.A” and “Mamushi” which won awards for Best Art Direction and Best Trending Video.  

Also paying homage to Britney Spears was Sabrina Carpenter when she kissed the blue alien she performed alongside, seemingly a reference to the kiss between Spears and Madonna at the 2003 VMAs. Carpenter performed her hits “Please, Please, Please”, “Taste”, and “Espresso”, which won song of the year. 

Eminem kicked off the show with a reference to his own 2000 hit “Slim Shady” by performing a medley of songs with a group of look-alikes. The hip-hop nostalgia continued with a performance from LL Cool J, Chuck D and Flava Flav to commemorate the 40th anniversary of hip-hop label Def Jam Records. 

Flava Flav presented the award for Best Collaboration with Olympian Jordan Chiles. During the Summer 2024 Olympics, Chile’s Bronze medal was revoked in a scoring appeal. In a heartfelt moment, Flava Flav bestowed his signature Bronze clock necklace onto her. “I know they tried to take your medal away from you, but you know what? I got you something that they can’t take away from you,” he said.

Chappell Roan performed her hit single “Good Luck, Babe.” The “HOT TO GO!” pop star made waves at her first VMAs, shutting down a rude photographer on the black carpet before the event. Roan, sporting a medieval-inspired cloak and wielding a sword, snapped back at a photographer who cursed at her according to Newsweek.

Roan received the award for Best New Artist, and in her speech dedicated her win to the drag queens who inspire her, and to midwestern LGBTQ+ kids that are inspired by her openness. 

“I see you. I understand you, because I’m one of you. And don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t be exactly who you want to be.” 

This intergenerational celebration of music was one for the books. The 40th VMAs gave us 

2000s nostalgia and kicked in anticipation for the future of music. Records were broken and debuts were made. Eminem and LL Cool J’s comebacks combined with upcoming artist performances like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter along with heartfelt acceptance speeches made for a memorable celebration of music.