The MTV Video Music Awards of 2024, or VMAs, were held on Sept. 11 at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Originally scheduled for Sept. 10, the VMAs of 2024 were moved to Sept. 11 to avoid conflict with the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Significantly, the VMAs of 2024 were held on the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, which is just over an hour from UBS Arena.
The VMAs of 2024 honored the best music videos, artists, and songs released between June 22, 2023, and June 20, 2024. Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift won the most awards, seven out of 12, and was nominated for more than any artist that night. This feat ties Swift with Beyonce for most MTV VMA wins. Other highlights included singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter winning Song of the Year for “Espresso.” Additionally, Katy Perry was honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award presented by her fiancé Orlando Bloom.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Video of the Year
Taylor Swift won the VMA for Video of the Year for her song “Fortnite,” featuring Post Malone, a song from her eleventh album, The Tortured Poets Department. Swift won against singers Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Eminem, and SZA. During her acceptance speech, Swift thanked her fans for voting for her, encouraging everyone 18 and older to vote in the upcoming Presidential Election.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Song of the Year
Singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter won the VMA for Song of the Year for “Espresso.” Carpenter won the VMA against singers Beyonce, Jack Harlow, Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, and Teddy Swims.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Artist of the Year
Taylor Swift’s next VMA of 2024 was for Artist of the Year. Swift was up against recording artists Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, Eminem, Sabrina Carpenter, and SZA.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Best New Artist
The MTV VMA for Best New Artist went to singer-songwriter Chappel Roan, who won against Benson Boone, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims, and Tyla. Roan first became known in 2020 for her hit song “Pink Pony Club,” the lead single from her 2023 debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Roan’s success has earned her the label of “queer pop icon,” as her style is heavily influenced by drag culture, and her music describes her journey of discovering her identity as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Born in Missouri as Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, she considers her Chappel Roan her “drag persona.” During her acceptance speech, she dedicates her success to “Queer kids in the Midwest.”
MTV VMAs of 2024: Push Performance of the Year
South Korean girl group Le Sserafilm won the Push Performance Award at the VMAs of 2024 for their song “Easy.” The girl group was up against tough competition including Kaliii, GloRilla, Benson Boone, Coco Jones, Victoria Monet, Jessie Murph, Teddy Swims, Chappel Roan, Flyanna Boss, Laufey, and The Warning.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Best Collaboration
The VMA for Best Collaboration resulted in another Taylor Swift victory, again for the song “Fortnite” featuring Post Malone. Competition for Best Collaboration at the VMAs of 2024 included Drake featuring Sexyy Red and SZA-“Rich Baby Daddy,” GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion-“Wanna Be,” Jessie Murph featuring Jelly Roll-“Wild Ones,” Jungkook featuring Latto-“Seven,” and Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen-“I Had Some Help.”
Taylor Swift won another award for Best Pop at the VMAs of 2024. Swift’s competition included recording artists Camillo Cabello, Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Tate McRae.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Best Hip-Hop
The MTV VMA for Best Hip-Hop went to Eminem for “Houdini.” The rapper won against musicians Drake for “Rich Baby Daddy,” featuring Sexxy Red and SZA, GloRilla, Gunna, Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott, and Playboy Carti.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Best R&B
The VMA for Best R&B went to SZA for “Snooze.” SZA won against R&B artists Alicia Keys, Muni Long, Tyla, Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage, and Victoria Monet. SZA did not attend the MTV VMAs of 2024.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Best K-Pop
The MTV VMA for Best K-Pop went to Thai singer, rapper, and dancer Lisa for her song “Rockstar.” Lisa won against Jungkook ft. Latto – “Seven,” NCT Dream, NewJeans, Stray Kids, and Tomorrow X Together.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Best Latin
The MTV VMA for Best Latin went to Anitta for “Mil Veces.” Anitta won against fellow Latin artists such as Bad Bunny, Karol G, Myke Towers, Rauw Alejandro, Shakira, and Cardi B. Significantly, Anitta won against Peso Puma as well as herself, for the song “Bellakeo.”
MTV VMAs of 2024: Best Rock
The VMA for Best Rock went to Lenny Kravitz for his song “Human.” Kravitz won against rock legends like Bon Jovi, Coldplay, Green Day, Kings of Leon, and U2.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Best Alternative
The VMA for Best Alternative went to Benson Boone for his song “Beautiful Things.” Boone won against Bleachers, Hozier, Imagine Dragons, Linkin Park, and Teddy Swims.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Best Afrobeats
South African singer-songwriter Tyla won the award for Best Afrobeats for her song “Water,” at the VMAs of 2024. Tyla won against Ayra Star for “Last Heartbreak Song,” featuring Giveon, Chris Brown for “Sensational,” featuring Davido and Lojay, as well as Burna Boy, Tems, Usher, and Pheelz.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Video for Good
Billie Eilish won the award for Video for Good for her song “What Was I Made For?” at this year’s VMAs. Eilish won against Alexander Stewart, Coldplay, Joyner Lucas and Jelly Roll, RAYE, and Tyler Childers. “What Was I Made For?” was featured in the 2023 live-action Barbie movie. Eilish did not attend this year’s VMAs.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Song of Summer
The MTV VMA for Song of Summer was another victory for Taylor Swift, again winning for “Fortnite,” featuring Post Malone. They won against tough competition such as Ariana Grande, Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Chappel Roan, Charli XCX, Eminem, Future, Metro, Kendrick Lamar, GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, Sabrina Carpenter, Shaboozy, SZA, and Tommy Richman. Post Malone was also nominated in this category for his song “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Best Group
The MTV VMA for Best Group went to South Korean boy band Seventeen. They won against popular bands such as Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, NCT Dream, NewJeans, NYSYNC, Tomorrow X Together, and Twenty One Pilots. The announcement was made on the official MTV VMAs X (Twitter) account, and the group celebrated their achievement by sharing the news on their official channel.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Best Trending Video
The MTV VMA for Best Trending Video went to Megan Thee Stallion for “Mamushi,” featuring Yuki Chiba. She won against artists like Beyonce, Chappel Roan, Charlie XCX, Tinashe, and Camilla Cabello featuring Playboy Carti for “I Luv It.” “Mamushi,” was also used in promotions for the latest season of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars.
MTV VMAs of 2024: Most Iconic Performance
Katy Perry won the award for Most Iconic Performance at the VMAs of 2024, for “Roar,” which she sang live at the 2013 VMAs. Perry won against performances such as Beyonce’s Love On Top (2011,) Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Madonna and Missy Elliot for Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” and “Hollywood,” (2003,) Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady,” and “The Way I am” (2000,) Lady Gaga’s “Papparazzi,” (2009,) Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” (1984,) and Taylor Swift’s “You Belong with Me” (2009.)
The following awards were voted for by music industry professionals.
The MTV VMA for Best Visual Effects went Eminem’s “Houdini,” by Synapse Virtual Production, Louise Lee, Rich Lee, Metaphysic and Flawless Post. Both Best Editing and Direction was another win for Taylor Swift’s and Post Malone’s “Fortnite,” edited by Chancler Haynes and directed by Swift. Megan Thee Stallion’s “Boa,” won for Best Art Direction by Brittany Porter. Best Choreograhy went to Dua Lipa’s “Houdini,” choreographed by Charm La’Donna. Lastly, Ariana Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends” (Wait for Your Love) won the VMA for Best Cinematography by Anatol Trofimov.
For more information visit mtv.com/vma.
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