From a career-spanning Video Vanguard medley courtesy of Nicki Minaj to a steamy smooch by way of Bad Bunny, the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards did not disappoint in the slightest on Sunday (Aug. 28). With emcees LL Cool J, Jack Harlow, and Minaj helming the star-studded celebration of the year’s best music videos, this year’s VMAs ceremony featured performances from the hottest names in music.
BLACKPINK brought the “Pink Venom,” Kane Brown made history as the first male country artist to perform at the show, and Bad Bunny shut down the stage all the way from a sold-out tour stop at Yankee Stadium. Anitta and J Balvin delivered bootylicious dance-heavy performances, Jack Harlow brought out Fergie for a full-circle “First Class” moment, and Eminem and Snoop Dogg ventured into the metaverse with a mind-blowing set that pushed the boundaries of technology and performance art on an awards show stage.
Moreover, this year’s recipient of the Global Icon Award was none other than the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The veteran rockers delivered a rousing 10-minute medley of “Black Summer” and “Can’t Stop” in celebration of their decades-long career.
Clearly, the show touched essentially every musical base. Pop, rock, hip-hop, country, K-pop, and Latin music took center stage throughout the night in terms of performances, winners, and nominees. If you weren’t able to tune in last night and catch performances and appearances from the likes of Taylor Swift, Fergie, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Chlöe, Latto, J Balvin, MÅNESKIN, and more, we got you covered.
Here are all of the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards performances.
