Billie Eilish, BTS, Doja Cat, Foo Fighters, Justin Bieber, Lil Nas X, MTV, MTV Video Music Awards, music, New York City, Olivia Rodrigo
September 12, 2021
With three awards each, Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo and BTS were the top winners at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), which were held at Barclays Center in New York City on September 12. Lil Nas X’s “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” won the prize for Video of the Year. Foo Fighters received the Global Icon Award, which is a non-competitive prize. The show, which was hosted by Doja Cat, was also simulcast other ViacomCBS-owned channels CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, VH1 and The CW Network. The MTV VMAs are voted for online by the public.
Here is the list of artists and songs performed on the show.
- The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber, “Stay”
- Justin Bieber, “Ghost”
- Olivia Rodrigo “Good 4 U”
- Kacey Musgraves “Star-Crossed”
- Twenty One Pilots “Saturday”
- Saint Jhn “Sucks To Be You,” “Trap”
- Ed Sheeran “Shivers”
- Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow “Industry Baby”
- “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” (Lil Nas X only)
- Camila Cabello, “Don’t Go Yet”
- Shawn Mendes and Tainy, “Summer of Love”
- Anitta, “Girl from Rio”
- Latto, “Big Energy,” “Muwop,” “Bitch from da Souf”
- Doja Cat, “Been like This,” “You Right”
- Chlöe, “Have Mercy”
- Normani, “Wild Side”
- Ozuna, “La Funka”
- Foo Fighters medley: “Learn to Fly,” “Shame Shame,” “Everlong”
- Alicia Keys and Swae Lee “Lala (Unlocked)”
- Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind”
- Busta Rhymes, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” “Ante Up,” “Scenario,” “Touch It,” “Look at Me Now,” “Pass the Courvoisier”
- Machine Gun Kelly and Travis Barker, “Papercuts”
Presenters were Doja Cat, Tinashe, Bretman Rock, Jennifer Lopez, Cyndi Lauper, Saint Jhn, Rita Ora, Billy Porter, Avril Lavigne, Charli XCX, Leslie Grace, Conor McGregor, Halle Bailey, Wyclef Jean, Ciara, Fat Joe, Ashanti, Ja Rule, AJ McLean, Lance Bass, Nick Lachey, Billie Eilish, SZA, Tommy Lee, Swizz Beatz, David Lee Roth, Megan Fox and Kourtney Kardashian.
Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic were Executive Producers for the 2021 MTV VMAs. Barb Bialkowski was Co-Executive Producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba serve as Executives in Charge of Production. Wendy Plaut was Executive in Charge of Celebrity Talent. Lisa Lauricella was Music Talent Executive.
Here is the complete list of nominees and winners:
*=winner
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP” – Atlantic Records
DJ Khaled featuring Drake – “POPSTAR” (Starring Justin Bieber) – OVO / We The Best / Epic Records
Doja Cat featuring SZA – “Kiss Me More” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Ed Sheeran – “Bad Habits” – Atlantic Records
Lil Nas X – “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” – Columbia Records*
The Weeknd – “Save Your Tears” – XO / Republic Records
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – Republic Records
Doja Cat – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Justin Bieber – Def Jam*
Megan Thee Stallion – 300 Entertainment
Olivia Rodrigo – Geffen Records
Taylor Swift – Republic Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
24kGoldn featuring iann dior – “Mood” – Records LLC / Columbia Records
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – “Leave The Door Open” – Aftermath Entertainment / Atlantic Records
BTS – “Dynamite” – BIGHIT Music
Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP” – Atlantic Records
Dua Lipa – “Levitating” – Warner Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “Drivers License” – Geffen Records*
BEST NEW ARTIST, Presented by Facebook
24kGoldn – Records LLC / Columbia Records
Giveon – Epic Records / Not So Fast
The Kid Laroi – Columbia Records
Olivia Rodrigo – Geffen Records*
Polo G – Columbia Records
Saweetie – Warner Records
PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
September 2020: Wallows – “Are You Bored Yet?” – Atlantic Records
October 2020: Ashnikko – “Daisy” – Warner Records
November 2020: Saint Jhn – “Gorgeous” – Godd Complexx / HITCO
December 2020: 24kGoldn – “Coco” – Records LLC / Columbia Records
January 2021: JC Stewart – “Break My Heart” – Elektra Music Group
February 2021: Latto – “Sex Lies” – RCA Records
March 2021: Madison Beer – “Selfish” – Epic Records / Sing It Loud
April 2021: The Kid Laroi – “Without You” – Columbia Records
May 2021: Olivia Rodrigo – “Drivers License” – Geffen Records*
June 2021: Girl in Red “Serotonin” – World in Red / AWAL
July 2021: Fousheé – “My Slime” – RCA Records
August 2021: jxdn – “Think About Me” – DTA Records / Elektra Music Group
BEST COLLABORATION
24kGoldn featuring Iann Dior – “Mood” – Records LLC / Columbia Records
Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP” – Atlantic Records
Doja Cat featuring SZA – “Kiss Me More” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records*
Drake featuring Lil Durk – “Laugh Now Cry Later” – OVO / Republic Records
Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar, Giveon – “Peaches” – Def Jam
Miley Cyrus featuring Dua Lipa – “Prisoner” – RCA Records
BEST POP
Ariana Grande – “Positions” – Republic Records
Billie Eilish – “Therefore I Am” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
BTS – “Butter” – BIGHIT Music
Harry Styles – “Treat People With Kindness” – Columbia Records
Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar, Giveon – “Peaches” – Def Jam*
Olivia Rodrigo – “Good 4 U” – Geffen Records
Shawn Mendes – “Wonder” – Island Records
Taylor Swift – “Willow” – Republic Records
BEST HIP-HOP
Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP” – Atlantic Records
Drake featuring Lil Durk – “Laugh Now Cry Later” – OVO / Republic Records
Lil Baby featuring Megan Thee Stallion – “On Me (remix)” – Quality Control / Motown
Moneybagg Yo – “Said Sum” – N-Less Entertainment / Interscope Records
Polo G – “Rapstar” – Columbia Records
Travis Scott featuring Young Thug & M.I.A. – “Franchise” – Cactus Jack / Epic Records*
BEST ROCK
Evanescence – “Use My Voice” – BMG
Foo Fighters – “Shame Shame” – Roswell Records / RCA Records
John Mayer – “Last Train Home” – Columbia Records*
The Killers – “My Own Soul’s Warning” – Island
Kings Of Leon – “The Bandit” – RCA Records
Lenny Kravitz – “Raise Vibration” – Roxie Records / BMG
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Bleachers – “Stop Making This Hurt” – RCA Records
Glass Animals – “Heat Waves” – Republic Records
Imagine Dragons – “Follow You” – KidinaKorner / Interscope Records
Machine Gun Kelly featuring blackbear – “My Ex’s Best Friend” – Bad Boy / Interscope Records*
Twenty One Pilots – “Shy Away” – Fueled By Ramen
Willow featuring Travis Barker – “Transparentsoul” – MSFTSMusic / Roc Nation
BEST LATIN
Bad Bunny x Jhay Cortez – “Dákiti” – The Orchard
Billie Eilish & ROSALÍA – “Lo Vas A Olvidar” – Darkroom / Interscope Records*
Black Eyed Peas and Shakira – “Girl Like Me” – Epic Records
Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Tainy – “Un Dia (One Day)” – Universal Music Latino / NEON16
Karol G – “Bichota” – Universal Music Latino
Maluma – “Hawái” – Sony Music US Latin
BEST R&B
Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, Saint Jhn WizKid – “Brown Skin Girl – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – “Leave The Door Open” – Aftermath Entertainment / Atlantic Records*
Chris Brown and Young Thug – “Go Crazy” – Chris Brown Entertainment/RCA Records
Giveon – “Heartbreak Anniversary” – Epic Records / Not So Fast
H.E.R. featuring Chris Brown – “Come Through” – MBK Entertainment / RCA Records
SZA – “Good Days” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
BEST K-POP
(G)I-DLE – “Dumbdi Dumbdi” – Republic Records
Blacpink and Selena Gomez – “Ice Cream” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records
BTS – “Butter” – BIGHIT Music Monsta X – “Gambler” – Starship Entertainment*
Seventeen – “Ready to Love” – Pledis Entertainment
Twice– “Alcohol-Free” – JYP Entertainment Company
VIDEO FOR GOOD
Billie Eilish – “Your Power” – Darkroom / Interscope Records*
Demi Lovato – “Dancing With The Devil” – Island
H.E.R. – “Fight For You” – MBK Entertainment / RCA Records
Kane Brown – “Worldwide Beautiful” – Sony Music Nashville / RCA Records
Lil Nas X – “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” – Columbia Records
Pharrell Williams featuring JAY-Z – “Entrepreneur” – Columbia Records
BEST DIRECTION
Billie Eilish – “Your Power” – Darkroom / Interscope Records – Directed by: Billie Eilish
DJ Khaled featuring Drake – “Popstar (Starring Justin Bieber)” – OVO / We The Best / Epic Records – Directed by: Julien Christian Lutz aka Director X
Lil Nas X – “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” – Columbia Records – Directed by: Lil Nas X and Tanu Muino*
Taylor Swift – “Willow” – Republic Records – Directed by: Taylor Swift
Travis Scott featuring Young Thug & M.I.A – “Franchise” – Cactus Jack / Epic Records – Directed by: Travis Scott
Tyler, The Creator – “Lumberjack” – Columbia Records – Directed by: Wolf Haley
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, Saint Jhn, WizKid – “Brown Skin Girl” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records – Cinematography by: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, Mohammaed Atta Ahmed, Santiago Gonzalez, Ryan Helfant*
Billie Eilish – “Therefore I Am” – Darkroom / Interscope Records – Cinematography by: Rob Witt
Foo Fighters – “Shame Shame” – Roswell Records / RCA Records – Cinematography by: Santiago Gonzalez
Justin Bieber featuring Chance The Rapper – “Holy” – RBMG/Def Jam – Cinematography by: Elias Talbot
Lady Gaga – “911” – Interscope Records – Cinematography by: Jeff Cronenweth
Lorde – “Solar Power” – Republic Records – Cinematography by: Andrew Stroud
BEST ART DIRECTION
Beyoncé, Shatta Wale, Major Lazer – “Already” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records – Art Direction by: Susan Linns, Gerard Santos
Ed Sheeran – “Bad Habits” – Atlantic Records – Art Direction by: Alison Dominitz
Lady Gaga – “911” – Interscope Records – Art Direction by: Tom Foden, Peter Andrus
Lil Nas X – “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” – Columbia Records – Art Direction by: John Richoux
Saweetie featuring Doja Cat – “Best Friend” – Warner Records – Art Direction by: Alec Contestabile*
Taylor Swift – “willow” – Republic Records – Art Direction by: Ethan Tobman, Regina Fernandez
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Bella Poarch – “Build a Bitch” – Warner Records – Visual Effects by: Andrew Donoho, Denhov Visuals, Denis Strahhov, Rein Jakobson, Vahur Kuusk, Tatjana Pavlik, Yekaterina Vetrova
Coldplay – “Higher Power” – Atlantic Records – Visual Effects by: Mathematic
Doja Cat & The Weeknd – “You Right” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records – Visual Effects by: La Pac, Anthony Lestremau, Julien Missaire, Petr Shkolniy, Alexi Bailla, Micha Sher, Antoine Hache, Mikros MPC, Nicolas Huget, Guillaume Ho Tsong Fang, Benjamin Lenfant, Stephane Pivron, MPC Bangalore, Chanakya Chander, Raju Ganesh, David Rouxel
Glass Animals – “Tangerine” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by: Ronan Fourreau
Lil Nas X – “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” – Columbia Records – Visual Effects by: Mathematic*
Pink – “All I Know So Far” – RCA Records – Visual Effects by: BUF, VFX Supervisors: Dominique Vidal & Geoffrey Niquet, VFX Producers: Annabelle Zoellin & Camille Gibrat
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Ariana Grande – “34+35” – Republic Records – Choreography by: Brian Nicholson & Scott Nicholson
BTS – “Butter” – BIGHIT Music – Choreography by: Son Sung Deuk With BHM Performance Directing Team
Ed Sheeran – “Bad Habits” – Atlantic Records – Choreography by: Natricia Bernard
Foo Fighters – “Shame Shame” – Roswell Records / RCA Records – Choreography by: Nina McNeely
Harry Styles – “Treat People With Kindness” – Columbia Records – Choreography by: Paul Roberts*
Marshmello & Halsey – “Be Kind” – Astralwerks / Capitol Records – Choreography by: Dani Vitale
BEST EDITING
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – “Leave The Door Open” – Aftermath Entertainment/Atlantic Records – Editing by: Troy Charbonnet*
BTS – “Butter” – BIGHIT Music– Editing by: Yong Seok Choi from Lumpens
Drake – “What’s Next” – OVO/Republic Records – Editing by: Noah Kendal
Harry Styles – “Treat People With Kindness” – Columbia Records – Editing by: Claudia Wass
Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar, Giveon – “Peaches” – Def Jam – Editing by: Mark Mayr, Vinnie Hobbs
Miley Cyrus featuring Dua Lipa – “Prisoner” – RCA Records