MUSIC

MTV VMAs 2023: how to watch, nominees, main show, performers and live stream

It’s the Video Music Awards time again so make sure you tune in to see who wins what and enjoy all the performances as they are broadcast.

Kevin MazurGetty Images

MTV announced the date and location for the 2023 Video Music Awards ahead of the summer and as the September day arrives we can now get settled in to enjoy the ceremony coming from Newark, at New Jersey’s Prudential Center. The awards show honours the best music videos released in the year, across various genres, direction, special effects, choreography, art direction, and cinematography.

“We’re thrilled to be returning to the Prudential Center in Newark for this year’s VMAs,” Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events, Paramount and Chief Content Officer, Music, Paramount+, said at the time.

“Celebrating one of our biggest nights in music with the Garden State’s incredible fans has been our goal since last year’s highly successful event.”

What time does the 2023 MTV VMAs start?

The ceremony gets underway at the Prudential Center on Tuesday 12 September at 8 p.m. Eastern Time in the U.S. That’s 5 p.m. for all of you on the west coast.

Now, you’ll be wanting to know how you can tune in...

How can I watch the 2023 MTV VMAs?

First up regarding viewing options, and likely the most obvious, is MTV itself. If you’ve got access to the platform via cable then you can just tune in as normal.

You can also watch the MTV VMA ceremony unfold via the live stream offered on Paramount+ (free trial available)

Who is hosting and performing at the 2023 MTV VMAs?

Get ready for another year of musical and video magic as Nicki Minaj takes the helm as host for the second time in a row. The VMAs, where the fans call the shots, promise to be an unforgettable night packed with mind-blowing performances.

Brace yourselves for electrifying acts from Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, Anitta, Doja Cat, Fall Out Boy, Demi Lovato, Karol G, Kelsea Ballerini, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Lil Wayne, and a galaxy of other stars who will light up the night.

And history is being made at this edition as it is the first time ever that the artist of the year category has an all-female lineup, with Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj, Karol G and Shakira up for the award.

It’s going to be a music extravaganza you won’t want to miss!

Who are the MTV VMAs nominees?

As well as the aforementioned all-female list for best artist, here’s a run down of who else is up for an award.

Video of the Year

Doja Cat – “Attention” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Miley Cyrus – “Flowers” – Columbia Records
Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl” – Republic Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Geffen Records
Sam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol Records
SZA – “Kill Bill” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records

Artist of the Year

Beyoncé – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
Doja Cat – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
KAROL G – Interscope Records
Nicki Minaj – Republic Records
Shakira – Sony Music US Latin
Taylor Swift – Republic Records

Song of the Year

Miley Cyrus – “Flowers” – Columbia Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Geffen Records
Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records
Sam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol Records
Steve Lacy – “Bad Habit” – L-M Records / RCA Records
SZA – “Kill Bill” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records Records
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records

Best New Artist

GloRilla - CMG / Interscope Records
Ice Spice - 10K Projects / Capitol Records
Kaliii - Atlantic Records
Peso Pluma - Double P Records
PinkPantheress - 300 Entertainment
Reneé Rapp - Interscope Records

Push Performance of the Year

August 2022: Saucy Santana – “Booty” – Arena Records / RCA Records
September 2022: Stephen Sanchez – “Until I Found You” – Mercury Records / Republic Records
October 2022: JVKE – “golden hour” – AWAL
November 2022: Flo Milli – “Conceited” – '94 Sounds / RCA Records
December 2022: Reneé Rapp – “Colorado” – Interscope Records
January 2023: Sam Ryder – “All The Way Over” – Elektra Entertainment
February 2023: Armani White – “GOATED” – Def Jam
March 2023: FLETCHER – “Becky's So Hot” – Capitol Records
April 2023: TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “Sugar Rush Ride” – BIGHIT MUSIC / Republic Records
May 2023: Ice Spice – “Princess Diana” – Heavy On It / 10K Projects / Capitol Records
June 2023: FLO – “Losing You” – Uptown/Republic Records
July 2023: Lauren Spencer Smith – “That Part” – Island Records

Best Collaboration

David Guetta & Bebe Rexha – “I'm Good (Blue)” – Warner Records
Post Malone, Doja Cat – “I Like You (A Happier Song)” – Mercury Records / Republic Records
Diddy ft. Bryson Tiller, Ashanti, Yung Miami – “Gotta Move On” – Motown Records
KAROL G, Shakira – “TQG” – Universal Music Latino
Metro Boomin with The Weeknd, 21 Savage, and Diddy – “Creepin' (Remix)” – Boominati / Republic Records
Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records

Best Pop

Demi Lovato – “Swine” – Island Records
Dua Lipa – “Dance The Night (From Barbie The Album)” – Atlantic Records
Ed Sheeran – “Eyes Closed” – Atlantic Records
Miley Cyrus – “Flowers” – Columbia Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Geffen Records
P!NK – “TRUSTFALL” – RCA Records
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records

Best Hip-Hop

Diddy ft. Bryson Tiller, Ashanti, Yung Miami – “Gotta Move On” – Motown Records
DJ Khaled ft. Drake & Lil Baby – “STAYING ALIVE” – We The Best / Epic Records
GloRilla & Cardi B – “Tomorrow 2” – CMG / Interscope Records
Lil Uzi Vert – “Just Wanna Rock” – Atlantic Records / Generation Now
Lil Wayne ft. Swizz Beatz & DMX – “Kant Nobody” – Young Money Records
Metro Boomin ft Future – “Superhero (Heroes and Villains)” – Boominati / Republic Records
Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl” – Republic Records

Best R&B

Alicia Keys ft. Lucky Daye – “Stay” – RCA Records
Chlöe ft. Chris Brown – “How Does It Feel” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia
Metro Boomin with The Weeknd, 21 Savage, and Diddy – “Creepin' (Remix)” – Boominati / Republic Records
SZA – “Shirt” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
Toosii – “Favorite Song” – South Coast Music Group / Capitol Records
Yung Bleu & Nicki Minaj – “Love In The Way” – Empire Distribution

Best Alternative

blink-182 – “EDGING” – Columbia Records
boygenius – “the film” – Interscope Records
Fall Out Boy – “Hold Me Like A Grudge” – Fueled By Ramen
Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste – “Candy Necklace” – Interscope Records
Paramore – “This Is Why” – Atlantic Records
Thirty Seconds To Mars – “Stuck” – Concord Records / Concord

Best Rock

Foo Fighters – “The Teacher” – RCA Records
Linkin Park – “Lost (Original Version)” – Warner Records
Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Tippa My Tongue” – Warner Records
Måneskin – “THE LONELIEST” – Arista Records
Metallica – “Lux Æterna” – Blackened Recordings
Muse – “You Make Me Feel Like It's Halloween” – Warner Records

Best Latin

Anitta – “Funk Rave” – Republic Records
Bad Bunny – “WHERE SHE GOES” – Rimas Entertainment
Eslabon Armado, Peso Pluma – “Ella Baila Sola” – DEL Records, Inc. / Prajin Parlay, Inc. Grupo Frontera Bad Bunny – “un x100to” – Rimas Entertainment
KAROL G, Shakira – “TQG” – Universal Music Latino
ROSALÍA – “DESPECHÁ” – Columbia Records
Shakira – “Acróstico” – Sony Music US Latin

Best K-Pop

aespa – “Girls” – SM ENTERTAINMENT Co., Ltd.
BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records
FIFTY FIFTY – “Cupid” – ATTRAKT / Warner Records
SEVENTEEN – “Super” – HYBE / Geffen Records
Stray Kids – “S-Class” – JYP / Republic
TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “Sugar Rush Ride” – BIGHIT MUSIC / Republic Records

Best Afrobeats

Ayra Starr – “Rush” – Mavin Global Holdings
Burna Boy – “It's Plenty” – Atlantic Records / Spaceship Entertainment Ltd
Davido ft. Musa Keys – “UNAVAILABLE” – Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records
Fireboy DML & Asake – ”Bandana” – Empire Distribution
Libianca – “People” – Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records
Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records
Wizkid ft Ayra Starr– “2 Sugar” – Starboy / RCA Records

Video for Good

Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You (Orchestral) – NETFLIX
Bad Bunny – “El Apagón - Aquí Vive Gente” – Rimas Entertainment
Demi Lovato – “Swine” – Island Records
Dove Cameron – “Breakfast” – Columbia Records
Imagine Dragons – “Crushed” – KIDinaKORNER / Interscope Records
Maluma – “La Reina” – Sony Music US Latin

Best Direction

Doja Cat - “Attention” - Kemosabe Records / RCA Records - Directed by Tanu Muiño
Drake – “Falling Back” – OVO/Republic Records - Director X (Julien Christian Lutz)
Kendrick Lamar – “Count Me Out” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records - Directed by Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Megan Thee Stallion – “Her” – 300 Entertainment - Directed by Colin Tilley
Sam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol Records - Directed by Floria Sigismondi
SZA – “Kill Bill” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records - Directed by Christian Breslauer
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records - Directed by Taylor Swift

Best Cinematography

Adele – “I Drink Wine” – Columbia Records - Cinematography by Adam Newport-Berra
Ed Sheeran – “Eyes Closed” – Atlantic Records - Cinematography by Natasha Baier
Janelle Monae – “Lipstick Lover” – Atlantic Records - Cinematography by Allison Anderson
Kendrick Lamar – “Count Me Out” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records 0 Cinematography by Adam Newport-Berra
Miley Cyrus – “Flowers” – Columbia Records - Cinematography by Marcell Rev
Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Geffen Records - Cinematography by Russ Fraser
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records - Cinematography by Rina Yang

Best Visual Effects

Fall Out Boy – “Love From The Other Side” – Fueled By Ramen - Visual Effects by Thomas Bailey and Josh Shaffner
Harry Styles – “Music For A Sushi Restaurant” – Columbia Records - Visual Effects by Chelsea Delfino and Black Kite Studios
Melanie Martinez – “VOID” – Atlantic Records - Visual Effects by Carbon
Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl” – Republic Records - Visual Effects by Max Colt and Sergio Mashevskyi
Sam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol Records - Visual Effects by Max Colt / FRENDER
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records - Visual Effects by Parliament

Best Choreography

BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records - Choreography by Kiel Tutin, Sienna Lalau, Lee Jung (YGX), Taryn Cheng (YGX)
Dua Lipa – “Dance The Night (From Barbie The Album)” – Atlantic Records - Choreography by Charm LaDonna
Jonas Brothers – “Waffle House” – Republic Records - Choreography by Jerry Reece
Megan Thee Stallion – “Her” – 300 Entertainment - Choreography by Sean Bankhead
Panic! At The Disco – “Middle Of A Breakup” – Fueled By Ramen - Choreography by Monika Felice Smith
Sam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol Records - Choreography by (LA)HORDE - Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, Arthur Harel

Best Art Direction

boygenius – “the film” – Interscope Records - Art Direction by Jen Dunlap
BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records - Art Direction by Seo Hyun Seung (GIGANT)
Doja Cat – “Attention” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records - Art Direction by Spencer Graves
Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste – “Candy Necklace” – Interscope Records - Art Direction by Brandon Mendez
Megan Thee Stallion – “Her” – 300 Entertainment - Art Direction by Niko Philipides
SZA – “Shirt” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records - Art Direction by Kate Bunch

Best Editing

BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records - Editing by Seo Hyun Seung (GIGANT)
Kendrick Lamar – “Rich Spirit” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records - Edited by Grason Caldwell
Miley Cyrus – “River” – Columbia Records - Edited by Brandan Walter
Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Geffen Records - Edited by Sofia Kerpan and David Checel
SZA – “Kill Bill” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records - Edited by Luis Caraza Peimbert
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records - Edited by Chancler Haynes

What happened at the 2022 MTV VMAs?

In the previous year’s spectacular event, rapper Jack Harlow snagged the most coveted titles, securing four impressive awards. Bad Bunny rightfully claimed the title of Artist of the Year, while Taylor Swift’s ‘All Too Well: The Short Film’ clinched the prestigious Video of the Year and Best Direction awards. Billie Eilish also had her moment in the spotlight, walking away with the Song of the Year award.

Nicki Minaj was honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, a true testament to her lasting impact on the music world. Meanwhile, the legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers were crowned with the prestigious Global Icon Award, a recognition well-deserved.

Doja Cat gathered the most nominations on that star-studded night. And to keep the show’s energy buzzing, we were treated to the dynamic trio of hosts: Minaj, the iconic LL Cool J, and the ever-charismatic Jack Harlow.

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