The MTV Video Music Awards are as much about the performances as the memorable moments. A few of the top moments in the 2015 VMAs:
KANYE’S EPIC RANT
Kanye West received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for his memorable music videos and live performances over the years, but it was his penchant for unscripted speeches that added to the anticipation.
During a rambling speech, he said he got high before getting on stage, sort of apologised to Taylor Swift for interrupting her acceptance speech in 2009, explained how his daughter North West has changed him, ranted against MTV and announced that he planned to run for president in 2020.
Ummmm, OK.
WHERE’S THE BEEF?
Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj exchanged tense tweets prior to the Sunday night’s awards, but they teamed up for a showing-opening duet that ended with a hug. The genuine moment at the top of the show drove home the point that female friends were worth more than any trophy.
But Minaj and Miley Cyrus aren’t done yet.
After winning best hip hop video for Anaconda, Minaj called out this year’s host for criticising her in a recent New York Times interview. Cyrus retorted that she lost a VMA in 2008 and she persevered.
The only thing we knew for sure when the moment ended: Minaj also wins this year’s award for throwing shade.
TAYLOR SWIFT WINS VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Swift won video of the year, the night’s top award, for the star-studded music video of her revenge song “Bad Blood,” which is reportedly about her feud with singer Katy Perry “I know there’s been a lot of discussion about what this video means but I’m just happy that in 2015 we live in a world where boys can play princesses and girls can play soldiers,” the 25-year-old singer said.
Perry did not attend this year’s awards show.
BIEBER BREAKS DOWN
Justin Bieber returned to the VMA stage with a high-flying performance of his new single, What Do You Mean? In a spoken word voiceover, the young singer talked about his journey and came swinging out of the rafters. After the performance, Bieber was overcome by emotion and fan reaction.
NICKI VS MILEY
Nicki Minaj called Miley Cyrus out at the MTV Video Music Awards after the 22-year-old said in an interview that the rapper was being a poor sport about not receiving a nomination for video of the year.
After collecting best hip hop video for Anaconda on Sunday, Minaj told the audience at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles: “And now back to this [expletive] that had a lot to say about me a lot in the press. Miley, what’s good?”
Minaj’s microphone was cut off, and Cyrus fired back with “we all know how they manipulate” words during interviews, referencing a pre-VMAs interview in the New York Times. Cyrus then stumbled over her words as she tried to read from cue cards about voting for the artist to watch award.
“I lost this award in 2008 and I was fine with it. Whatever! Because it’s no big deal. It’s just an award and I persevered,” she yelled, appearing to look over at Minaj.
She ended with: “Congratulations Nicki.”
In the recent interview, Cyrus criticised Minaj for her “pop star war” with Taylor Swift that began in July.
MILEY’S NEW ALBUM AND VIDEO
The hostess with the mostest ended the show with a surprise performance of her psychedelic new single, Dooo It! featuring Tyler Ford, and then went on to close the night with a surprise release of her new album, Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, which you can stream online, for free! Go to mileycyrus.com to listen.
MILEY’S NIPPLE
Enough said.
