In what is being hailed one of MTV’s best awards shows in years, musicians and actors of all genres came together last night at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Complete with stunned award recipients, quirky fashion, powerhouse performances, and a touching tribute for the late Amy Winehouse, the 2011 Video Music Awards had it all!
Despite all MTV had to offer, the show was somewhat eclipsed by Beyonce’s pregnancy announcement. Twitter, Facebook, the blogosphere, and every other media outlet were ablaze when the news broke. One of the most talked about moments of the night came after Beyonce’s ‘Love on Top’ performance when she began rubbing her baby bump in front of the packed auditorium. The camera immediately cut to a shot of the father-to-be who had the biggest smile on his face. The crowd went wild!
Bey’s performance wasn’t the only big performance of the night. Dressed in a crisp all-white suit, Chris Brown was a dance machine as he soared through the air (literally) while singing a medley of ‘Yeah (3x)’, Wu-Tang Clan’s ‘Protect Ya Neck’, Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ and ‘Beautiful People’ â very Cirque De Soleil! Not to be outdone, hip-hop giants Jay-Z and Kanye West gave a surprise performance of their new hit ‘Otis’. Despite a random fan jumping on stage and having to be escorted off by security, the chemistry the two ‘Watch the Throne’ hitmakers had last night was undeniable. Semi-foe of Jay-Z, Lil Wayne closed the VMA’s by putting a rock-inspired twist on his most current hits. He even attempted to smash his guitar at the end of his set.
However, arguably the most touching performance of the night came as Bruno Mars sang Amy Winehouse’s rendition of ‘Valerie’ as a tribute to the fallen musician. Proceeded by a brief introduction from Russell Brand who spoke about the seriousness of substance abuse and then a word from the iconic Tony Bennett about the superstar, it was beautiful to see her remembered through such a amazing performance.
Showing that you don’t need two working legs to captivate an audience, Jessie J sat majestically on her throne and sang her rendition of music’s most recognizable jams going into each commercial break. Other highlights include Lady Gaga opening up the VMA’s as her famed alter ego Jo Calderone. Surprisingly, Gaga stayed in character all night even when presenting Britney Spears with the Vanguard Award. Gaga passionately said, “When you’re a struggling artist, literally starving for your dream, you got to live off inspiration,” she added, “One of my biggest inspirations was Britney Spears. Britney taught me how to be fearless.”
Congratulations to this year’s winners! For the full list check below.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Katy Perry, “Firework”
BEST FEMALE VIDEO
Lady Gaga, “Born This Way”
BEST NEW ARTIST
Tyler, The Creator, “Yonkers”
BEST MALE VIDEO
Justin Bieber, “U Smile”
BEST COLLABORATION
Katy Perry featuring Kanye West, “E.T.”
BEST HIP-HOP VIDEO
Nicki Minaj, “Super Bass”
BEST ROCK VIDEO
Foo Fighters, “Walk”
BEST POP VIDEO
Britney Spears, “Till the World Ends”
BEST VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE
Lady Gaga, “Born This Way”
BEST DIRECTOR
Adele, “Rolling in the Deep” (Director: Sam Brown)
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Beyoncé, “Run the World (Girls)”
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Katy Perry featuring Kanye West, “E.T.”
BEST ART DIRECTION
Adele, “Rolling in the Deep”
BEST EDITING
Adele, “Rolling in the Deep”
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Adele, “Rolling in the Deep”
It was an unforgettable night for music lovers everywhere! The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) were held on August 30th, and boy what a show it was. From Beyonce bumping to Chris Brown’s high-energy performance, the VMAs definitely gave viewers something to talk about. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from this star-studded event!
The biggest moment of the night had to be Beyonce’s surprise appearance onstage with her daughter Blue Ivy in tow. She performed her song “Love On Top” while wearing a stunning red dress that highlighted her curves perfectly. Her voice sounded better than ever and she got everyone up on their feet dancing along. It was certainly one VMA performance that will not soon be forgotten.
Another fantastic act came courtesy of singer/rapper Bruno Mars. He took center stage singing his hit single “Locked Out Of Heaven” while accompanied by three backup singers dressed as angels. His vocal range is always impressive but even more so when he lets loose live, mesmerizing the crowd with every note sung. With such powerful vocals, you can’t help but join in on the chorus!
Performances
The VMAs were jam-packed with star power this year. Beyonce bumped and grinded her way through a medley of hits, while Chris Brown received a standing ovation for his performance. Bruno Mars took cover as pyrotechnics exploded around him – an unexpected surprise that had the crowd cheering even louder.
Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj brought out Future to perform their hit single “You Da Baddest,” getting everyone on their feet in the process. On top of that, Demi Lovato wowed viewers by singing Aretha Franklin’s classic tune ‘A Natural Woman.” The audience erupted when she finished her set.
Finally, Shawn Mendes closed out the night with a powerful rendition of his song ‘In My Blood.’ His mellow acoustic sound was met with loud applause from fans and celebrities alike, providing a memorable end to the show.
Awards And Highlights
The awards were just as impressive as the performances. Kendrick Lamar and Ed Sheeran won big, taking home multiple prizes each. Taylor Swift was honored with the Video Vanguard Award for her impact in music throughout the years. Apart from this, she also beat out a few other nominees to win Best Collaboration for ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ featuring Zayn Malik.
Other highlights included Pink’s moving speech about self-acceptance when accepting her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and Cardi B breaking Beyonce’s record of most VMA wins in one night by taking home six statuettes. The show was capped off by Justin Timberlake receiving the award for Video Of The Year for ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling.’
It was certainly an eventful evening full of memorable moments that will stick with us long after it ended.
Conclusion
Overall, the VMAs was an eventful night full of unforgettable performances and awards. Beyonce stole the show with her politically charged performance that had everyone talking. Chris Brown’s high-energy set also made a big impression on viewers. And despite not taking home any awards, Bruno Mars put on a stunning show that showcased his impressive vocal range.
There were plenty of other memorable moments throughout the evening, from Cardi B’s hilarious acceptance speech to Jennifer Lopez’s epic Motown tribute medley. All in all, it was definitely a night to remember for music fans everywhere!
The VMAs is always one of the most talked about events in music every year and this time around did not disappoint. With so many great performances and award winners, there was something for everyone at this year’s ceremony – making it another successful show in its long history!
Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.