2022 VMAs: Everything you need to know about the Video Music Awards show
New Jersey stand up! Forget going out to Miami or Los Angeles, it all goes down in the Garden State once again for the MTV Video Music Awards show - specifically the iconic Prudential Center in Newark. While the event doesn’t go down until Sunday, August 28 at 8 PM ET, there’s a ton of details most folks still need to get caught up on.
New Jersey stand up! Forget going out to Miami or Los Angeles, it all goes down in the Garden State once again for the MTV Video Music Awards show - specifically the iconic Prudential Center in Newark. While the event doesn’t go down until Sunday, August 28 at 8 PM ET, there’s a ton of details most folks still need to get caught up on.
From the performers to nominees, it’s all going down in the lead-up to a jam-packed night. While we keep updating you on the tidbits, here’s everything you need to know for next week’s star-studded showcase.
BLACKPINK, Jack Harlow, Lizzo and Måneskin are the next round of global superstar performers added to the must-see lineup at the 2022 “VMAs,” LIVE from Prudential Center on Sunday, August 28th at 8PM ET/PT.
BLACKPINK
The K-Pop sensations will make their U.S. award show debut with a can’t-miss, first U.S. performance of “Pink Venom,” live on the “VMAs” stage. In 2020, BLACKPINK made history as the first K-Pop girl group to take home a Moon Person (“Song of the Summer”) and look to take home a second in the all-new “Best Metaverse Performance” category. Group member LISA is also the first solo female K-Pop star and Korean soloist to ever be nominated.
Jack Harlow
After last year’s unforgettable “VMAs” debut collab of mega-hit “INDUSTRY BABY” with Lil Nas X, global superstar Jack Harlow returns to the MTV stage for his first solo performance. Tied for most nominations this year (7), including two of the night’s biggest awards, “Video of the Year” and “Artist of the Year,” Harlow looks to take home his first Moon Person.
The 10x nominee was first nominated in 2020 for “PUSH New Artist” and “Song of the Summer,” and again for “Song of the Summer” in 2021.
Lizzo
Following a show-stopping debut with a massive mashup of “Good As Hell” and “Truth Hurts” in 2019, the multi-hyphenate star is slated for another epic MTV moment with a performance of “2 Be Loved” from her critically acclaimed new album Special. The 11x nominee is also up for four awards this year, including “Artist of the Year” and “Song of the Year.”
Måneskin
Following a standout performance and “Best Rock” win at the 2021 MTV “EMAs,” Måneskin continues to spearhead a global rock resurgence and will now give their “VMAs” debut performance of #1 alternative hit single “SUPERMODEL.” The critically-acclaimed group are also up for two awards – “Best New Artist” & “Best Alternative” – making history as the first Italian act to be nominated in a main category.
Previously announced “VMAs” news includes:
PERFORMERS: These four new adds join an already star-packed lineup of Anitta, J Balvin, Marshmello x Khalid and Panic! At The Disco. Kane Brown will headline the Toyota Stage. Additional performers and show details to be announced soon (more info).
VIDEO VANGUARD AWARD: Global superstar Nicki Minaj will receive MTV’s coveted honor and perform live for the first time since 2018 (more info).
NOMINATIONS: Jack Harlow, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Nas X (7), along with Doja Cat and Harry Styles (6) lead; Billie Eilish, Drake, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd (5) closely follow. Full list here.
VOTING: Fans can vote for their favorites across 22 gender-neutral categories by visiting vote.mtv.com through this Friday, August 19th, thanks to Burger King®. Voting for “Best New Artist,” presented by EXTRA® Gum, remains active into show. Noms for social categories “Group of the Year” and “Song of Summer” to be announced later this week.
THE VMAs EXPERIENCE ON ROBLOX: As a companion to the first-ever “Best Metaverse Performance” category, fans can now launch into a custom Moon Person immersive experience, complete with a virtual red carpet, music and dance themed activities, exclusive in-game experience rewards, and vote for their favorite “Best Metaverse” performance (more info).
SPONSORS: Official sponsors of the 2022 “VMAs” include Burger King®, Clearblue®, DESCOVY®, EXTRA® Gum, Instacart, Kraft Singles, Swiffer and Toyota Motor North America.
CREDITS: Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are Executive Producers; Barb Bialkowski is Co-Executive Producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba serve as Executives in Charge of Production. Wendy Plaut is Executive in Charge of Celebrity Talent. Lisa Lauricella is Music Talent Executive.
Nicki Minaj's getting her respect at the 2022 MTV VMAs
New York rap superstar Nicki Minaj is staying extra busy these days working on new music, juggling her marriage goals with those parenting duties plus appearing at Drake’s OVO Fest for a much-needed Young Money reunion. But is there any bigger salute to what she’s provided the rap game for over 10 years than receiving the Video Music Awards’ Vanguard Award at the MTV ceremony this month?
New York rap superstar Nicki Minaj is staying extra busy these days working on new music, juggling her marriage goals with those parenting duties plus appearing at Drake’s OVO Fest for a much-needed Young Money reunion. But is there any bigger salute to what she’s provided the rap game for over 10 years than receiving the Video Music Awards’ Vanguard Award at the MTV ceremony this month?
Nicki Minaj’s well-earned Vanguard Award is coming
Barbz around the world, you may start the countdown. The hip-hop icon will receive the official Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and also take the stage for the first time since 2018 for a live performance Sunday, August 28 from the Prudential Center. Her accolades speak for themselves.
The 17x nominated and 5x “VMAs” winner, who took home her first Moon Person for Best Hip Hop Video in 2011, is nominated this year for “Best Hip Hop.”
“Nicki has broken barriers for women in hip-hop with her versatility and creative artistry,” said Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events, Paramount and Chief Content Officer, Music, Paramount+. “She has shifted the music industry and cemented her status as a global superstar with her crossover appeal, genre-defying style and continuing to be unapologetically ‘Nicki’.”
Minaj’s next single, “Super Freaky Girl” will be released on August 12.
Previous Vanguard Award recipients include Madonna, Janet Jackson, LL Cool J, Jennifer Lopez and Missy Elliott. David Bowie, The Beatles and director Richard Lester shared the honor at the first-ever VMAs (1984).
Nicki Minaj’s many memorable moments from previous “VMAs” include:
Minaj made her “VMAs” main stage debut in 2012, rapping a surprise verse on Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire” and returned with a trifecta of performances in 2014, first taking fans to the Amazonian jungle with “Anaconda,” then teaming up with Ariana Grande and Jessie J for a show-stopping performance of “Bang Bang,” and finally, “She Came To Give It To U” with Usher.
In 2015, Nicki again performed a trio of songs, first “Trini Dem Girls,” before bringing Taylor Swift on stage for “The Night Is Still Young” and “Bad Blood.” She reunited with Ariana Grande in 2016 for “Side To Side,” and in 2017, joined host Katy Perry for a performance of “Swish Swish.”
Nicki’s most recent “VMAs” appearance included an unforgettable rap medley from her album Queen, featuring songs “Majesty,” “Ganga Burn,” “FEFE” and “Barbie Dreams” at the 2018 show.
Beyond her can’t-miss performances, Nicki always dazzles the “VMAs” red carpet with trendsetting fashion and hairstyles, creating immediate viral frenzies across social media and media worldwide.
Nicki is known for doing big things - specifically - at the VMAs. She’s conquered everything from multiple awards to donning eye-opening fits at the annual summer event.
Following her first win in 2011, she continued domination in the “Best Hip Hop” category, picking up wins for “Anaconda” (2015) and “Chun-Li” (2018).
Minaj also took home “Best Female Video” in 2012 for “Starships.”
Most recently, she picked up a Moon Person in 2019 for “Best Power Anthem” (“Hot Girl Summer”).
“I’m receiving the Video Vanguard Award at the 2022 #VMAs! You DO NOT !!!! I REPEAT!!!! You do NOTTTTTT want to miss my performance – Sunday August 28 at 8p on @MTV 😫🙏🏽🎀💕🫢🔥🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄”