*MTV hasn’t played music videos since Tara Reid dumped Carson Daily, but that hasn’t stopped the network from rewarding artists with plaques of moonmen in acknowledgement of their musical offerings to the impressionable youth.
This year’s Video Music Awards will be hosted by PR Stunt Princess Miley Cyrus, with The Weeknd confirmed to debut the first-ever televised performance of his single “Can’t Feel My Face.”
Taylor Swift received 10 nominations, more than any other artist or band, followed by Ed Sheeran, who received six nominations.
Kanye West, who will no doubt engage in antics that will prove to be a ratings hit, will be honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for the cultural impact his music and fashion have had on a generation.
Previous recipients of the award include Beyoncé (2014), Justin Timberlake (2013), Britney Spears (2011), Duran Duran (2003), U2 (2001), Red Hot Chili Peppers (2000), Beastie Boys (1998), LL Cool J (1997), Guns N’ Roses (1992), Janet Jackson (1990), Michael Jackson (1988) and Madonna (1986). The award is considered the VMAs’ highest honor.
In 2009, West stormed the stage after Taylor Swift beat Beyonce for Best Female Video. He called the latter “the best video of all time.” West later apologized for the “Imma Let You Finish” interruption.
Earlier this month, Swift spoke about her evolving relationship with Kanye to Vanity Fair, crediting Jay Z for helping them bond:
“I feel like I wasn’t ready to be friends with him until I felt like he had some sort of respect for me, and he wasn’t ready to be friends with me until he had some sort of respect for me — so it was the same issue, and we both reached the same place at the same time,” she said. “I became friends with Jay Z, and I think it was important, for Jay Z, for Kanye and I to get along…And then Kanye and I both reached a place where he would say really nice things about my music and what I’ve accomplished, and I could ask him how his kid’s doing….we haven’t planned [any collaboration]…But, hey, I like him as a person. And that’s a really good, nice first step, a nice place for us to be.”
The VMAs will air live this Sunday at 9:00 p.m. ET. Scheduled to perform are: A$AP Rocky, Tori Kelly, Demi Lovato, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Twenty One Pilots and Pharrell Williams.
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