The 2015 MTV Video Music Awardsdished outa buffet of bombast and beef, a barrage of memorable performances and ridiculous outfits, and ultimately served as a pristine example of the transitive properties of pop: Host Miley Cyrus got into it with Nicki Minaj, who made nice with Taylor Swift, who presented the Video Vanguard Award to Kanye West, who ended his emotionally charged speech with the promise of a presidential run in 2020.
Following the premiere of Swifts Wildest Dreamsvideo an event unto itself Minaj opened the VMAswith a breezy,beatific medley of Trini Dem Girls and The Night Is Still Young. Halfway through the latter, Swift emerged from below the stagesinging the hook. The pair proceeded to officially quash their pre-VMA beef with a quick duet of Swifts Bad Blood(which latertook home Video of the Year).
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Macklemore and Ryan Lewis kept the opening festivities going with a live re-creation of their new Downtown clip. Hip-hop veterans Grandmaster Caz, Kool Moe Dee and Melle Mel joined the Seattle rapper alongside Foxy Shazam vocalist Eric Nally and a cadre of slick-moving b-boys, the lattercutting loose across the stage outside Los Angeles Orpheum Theatre.
Cyrus then took the stage in the first of many absurd outfits, cracking abouthow her past VMA appearances proved she was clearly unqualified for the hosting gig (her infamous performancewith Robin Thickewas routinely referenced throughout the night).
Cyrus, however, didnt harp on the past for too long.Instead, the pop star offereda silly sketch about the creative team featuring Andy Samberg and Ike Barinholtz behind herInstagram account. The bit concluded with an elaborate selfie featuringSmurf knockoffs, Frankenstein, spaghetti and Rita Ora: Ellen, you aint got nothing on this, Cyrus joked.
While the spectacle was suitably outlandish, the action only got more over the top as theVMA gods bestowed upon viewers a heaping serving of unscripted manna: Minaj, accepting the award for Best Hip Hop video for Anaconda, thanked her pastor before cursing out Cyrus.
And now, back to this bitch who had a lot to say about me the other day in the press: Miley, whats good? Minaj spat, referring to comments Cyrus madeabout how the rapper handled being snubbed for Video of the Year.
Later, Justin Bieber made his long-awaited return to the VMA stagewith a high-flying performance ofhis Jack collaboration Where Are Now and new single What Do You Mean?The pop star was backed by a dazzling light display and a dozen spirited dancers, but he notably delved intoa spoken word breakdown followed byan aerial act that sent himflying through the theater. When he finally touched back down, Bieber knelt and visibly wept.
The night also featured performances from the Weeknd, Tori Kelly, Pharrell and a unique collaboration between Twenty One Pilots and A$AP Rocky. Cyrus closed out the show with a gaudy, glittery performance of her own that boasted several gif-worthy moments and a cameo from the Flaming Lips Wayne Coyne. The whole thing concluded with the announcement of her new album,Miley Cyrus and her Dead Petz, available to streamnow for free.
Still, the VMAs perhaps unsurprisingly belonged to Kanye West.The rappershared the Best Video With a Social Message award with Big Sean and John Legend for One Man Can Change the World, and also unleashedan epic speechafter accepting the Video Vanguard Award fittingly presented by Taylor Swift.
After a lengthy standing ovation, West launched into his seemingly off-the-cuff speech, expressing remorse for his infamous Imma let you finish moment, admitting his need to be liked but alsohis desire to fight for the artists he loves. Ultimately, though, West honed inon awards shows themselves and the unnecessary tensions they create between likeminded creatives.
I still dont understand award shows, West said. I dont understand how they get five people who work their entire life, who sold records, sold concert tickets, to come, stand on a carpet and for the first time in their life, be judged on a chopping block and had the opportunity to be considered a loser. I dont understand it, bro!
Still, West ended his speech with hopes fora brighter tomorrow. Identifying himself as part of the millennial generation, the rapper spoke about a future without brands and hate, but with self-worth, new ideas and truth. Though he didnt offer a specific gameplan, West will havesome time to work out the specifics of hispolicy: And yes, as you probably could have guessed by this moment, he said in closing, I have decided in 2020, to run for president.
Check out the full list of winners from this years Video Music Awards, as well as Rolling Stones other highlights from the show.