On Sunday, September 8, MTV’s annual Video Music Awards took place at New York’s UBS Arena and was hosted by LL Cool J. Not only was this the first time it was streamed on CBS, but it also featured a wide range of first-time performances from new hit artists and rising stars. The night also paid tribute to Ozzy Osborne with a meaningful performance in his honor, while continuing the tradition of celebrating music’s biggest names through its highly anticipated award presentations.
The 2025 VMAs delivered a night packed with performances that spanned genres and generations. Doja Cat opened alongside Kenny G with “Jealous Type.” Ricky Martin put light and energy into the arena with a Latin Icon medley featuring some of his top hits, including “Livin’ la Vida Loca.” Tate MaRae made her VMA debut performing “Revolving Door” and “Sports Car.” Busta Rhymes, joined by Spliff Star, Joyner Lucas, Papoose, and GloRilla, ran through a rapid-fire set of hits. Sabrina Carpenter took the stage with her single “Tears,” Post Malone and Jelly Roll delivered their collaboration “Losers,” and Mariah Carey showcased her legacy with a medley of her songs spanning the decades.
Later on, Lady Gaga contributed a pre-taped performance of “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance,” followed by Alex Warren, also making a first-time appearance, performing his two top hits, “Eternity” and “Ordinary.” The night continued with J Balvin, DJ Snake, Justin Quiles, and Lenny Tavárez performing “Zun Zun” and “Noventa.” Sombr continued the train of newly performing artists, making his VMA debut singing “Back to Friends,” and “12 to 12.” Conan Gray closed the show, also making his first VMA appearance, performing “Vodka Cranberry.”
A highlight of the night was the heartfelt tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, which underscored the VMAs’ long-standing tradition of honoring artists whose influence has shaped the history of modern music. Rock icons Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith joined Yungblud and guitarist Nuno Bettencourt to deliver a medley of Osbourne’s most enduring hits: “Crazy Train,” “Changes,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” The collaboration, pairing classic rock legends with a younger generation of performers, shows how Osbourne’s music continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.
Another key element of the 2025 VMAs was the way it reached audiences far beyond the walls of the UBS Arena. For the first time, the show was streamed live on CBS rather than solely on MTV, introducing the VMAs to millions of new viewers. Broadcasting on CBS “fueled a 42 percent increase in viewers.” Says HollywoodReporter, “[which is] the most for the show in six years.” This broader broadcast gave the night’s performances and awards greater publicity and helped the event capture new fans.
Throughout the night, many artists—both new and old—received awards for their contributions to the music industry over the past year. Here is a full list of awards and their recipients:
Video of the Year: Ariana Grande — “Brighter Days Ahead”
Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga
Song of the Year: Rosé & Bruno Mars — “Apt.”
Best New Artist: Alex Warren
Best Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
Best Album: Sabrina Carpenter — Short n’ Sweet
Best Hip-Hop: Doechii — “Anxiety”
Best R&B: Mariah Carey — “Type Dangerous”
Best Alternative: Sombr — “Back to Friends”
Best Rock: Coldplay — “All My Love”
Best Latin: Shakira — “Soltera”
Best Afrobeats: Tyla — “Push 2 Start”
Best Country: Megan Moroney — “Am I Okay?”
Best Collaboration: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars — “Die With A Smile”
Song of Summer: Tate McRae — “Just Keep Watching”
MTV PUSH Performance of the Year: Katseye — “Touch”
Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award: Mariah Carey
Rock the Bells Visionary Award: Busta Rhymes
Latin Icon Award: Ricky Martin
