The MTV Video Music Awards was held at Prudential Center in New Jersey on September 12, 2023. It was hosted by Nicki Minaj for the second year in a row. Within the three hour program many artists performed. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion performed “Bongos”, Olivia Rodrigo performed “Vampire” and “Get Him Back”, Demi Lovato performed “Heart Attack,” “Sorry not Sorry” and “Cool for the Summer” and Lil Wayne performed “Kat Food” and “Uproar”.
“Anti-Hero” by Taylor Swift won several awards at the VMAS including Video of the year, Song of the Year, Best Pop, Best Direction (Taylor Swift), Best Cinematography (Rina Yang) and Best Visual Effects (Parliament). Taylor Swift also won artist of the year. In Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the VMAS, she said “I love slinking around different genres. And the only reason I’m allowed to do that is because you, the fans, gave me the opportunity to do that.” She continues to say how she loves the challenge of making songs that sound different from her last.
Other awards include Best Collaboration was awarded to Karol G and Shakira for “TQG”, Ice Spice won Best New Artist, “Shirt” by SZA won Best R&B and Nicki Minaj was given Best Hip-Hop for the song “Super Freaky Girl”. In Nicki Minaj’s acceptance speech at the VMAS she said “I had a really strong sense of gratitude, and that’s the truth. And I just wanted to say, I thank you guys and the people who go out and support”.
First debuting in 1984, the Video Music Awards started as an anchored weekday lineup created by MTV to honor the achievements of the artists. Quickly MTV was sought to be the go to website for music on the internet. To help celebrate the current artists of the time, MTV created an annual program to highlight the greatest musical achievements made every year called the Video Music Award.