2022 VMA Overview

2022+VMA+Overview

Jaden Jewett, A&E editor

The highly anticipated 2022 Video Music Awards took place Sunday, August 28th, in New Jersey, and was hosted by the legendary Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J, and Jack Harlow. It wouldn’t be the VMAs without iconic live performances from some of the biggest names in the music industry. Performances from Nicki Minaj, Lizzo, Bad Bunny, Blackpink, Eminem, Snoop Dog, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more lit up the stage Sunday night and fans loved every second of it.

Host, Nicki Minaj, won the 2022 Video Vanguard Award and joins Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Missy Elliot, and several other historical musical artists as one of the recipients of the award. The winner of Video Of The Year, to no one’s surprise, went to Taylor Swift for her revolutionary 10-minute version of her 2012 song All Too Well. Bad Bunny was also recognized as the 2022 Artist of the Year, beating other artists like Lizzo, Harry Styles, and Drake. Another highly anticipated award for Song of the Year went to Billie Eilish for her record-breaking song, Happier Than Ever.

Opening performer, Jack Harlow, shocked the audience while performing his hit Song of the Summer, “First Class”,  by bringing out Fergie on the main stage to sing her song, “Glamorous”, which “First Class” was sampled from. Other notable performances came from Video Vanguard recipient, Nicki Minaj, with a compilation of some of her greatest hits including “Super Bass”, “Moment 4 Life”, “Monster”, “Chun Li”, “Beez In The Trap”, and her newest song, “Super Freaky Girl.” The Red Hot Chili Peppers were also awarded the Global Icon Award and delivered a reminiscent 10-minute performance of their song “Black Summer” and “Can’t Stop.”

Overall, the 2022 VMAs were nothing short of legendary and definitely carried on the show’s legacy as one of the best award shows of all time. If you have yet to watch the 2022 VMAs, you can watch it on MTV, YouTube TV, Hulu+, as well as Paramount+. I would highly recommend watching it and I look forward to seeing my favorite artists perform at the Video Music Awards for years to come.