Taylor Swift continued her reign as one of the most celebrated artists in the music industry during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, which took place on September 11 at the UBS Arena in Long Island, New York. Swift, who led the night with 10 nominations, walked away with multiple top honors, including Video of the Year and Best Collaboration for her hit single “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone. This win marked her fifth career Video of the Year award, a record-breaking feat that no other artist has achieved to date. Swift also solidified her dominance in the Best Pop category, further extending her streak of victories at the VMAs.
Post Malone, Swift’s collaborator on “Fortnight,” also had a stellar night with nine nominations. Besides sharing the spotlight with Swift in major categories, Malone secured his own accolades, including Best Collaboration for the same song. The singer-songwriter’s continued influence in both pop and country genres was evident, particularly with the widespread recognition of his country track “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen, which earned him another nomination.
The 2024 VMAs were filled with exciting performances and numerous wins, not just for Swift and Malone, but also for a diverse array of artists. Eminem, returning to the VMAs after releasing his critically acclaimed track “Houdini,” took home multiple nominations and looked poised to break his long-standing tie with Peter Gabriel for the most VMAs by a male artist. Though Eminem did not sweep all his categories, his presence reaffirmed his status as one of the most decorated VMAs artists of all time.
The awards ceremony, hosted for the first time by Megan Thee Stallion, provided the perfect blend of performances and excitement. Performers included pop icons like Katy Perry, who received the prestigious Video Vanguard Award for her lasting contributions to music videos. Perry’s performance marked her first return to the VMA stage since 2017. Other notable performers were Anitta, Lenny Kravitz, and Jungkook of BTS, who delivered memorable sets that energized the crowd.
As the evening progressed, more winners were announced across a wide variety of categories. Benson Boone clinched the award for Best Alternative with his hit “Beautiful Things,” while Lenny Kravitz won Best Rock for “Human.” Other winners included Alicia Keys, who took home Best R&B for “Lifeline,” and Jung Kook, who won his first solo Best K-pop award for “Seven” featuring Latto.
An important aspect of the 2024 VMAs was the recognition of rising stars, with Teddy Swims and Tyla among those making waves. Both were nominated for Best New Artist, which remained a hotly contested category throughout the night. The Push Performance of the Year category, which celebrates breakthrough artists on the verge of stardom, saw performances from the likes of Victoria Monét, Jessie Murph, and Flyana Boss, further highlighting the VMAs’ dedication to showcasing new talent.
As the 2024 VMAs concluded, the night belonged to Swift, Malone, and other major winners, who once again demonstrated the enduring power of music to bring people together. The record-breaking achievements of Swift and Eminem also underscored the cultural importance of the VMAs as a platform that not only honors mainstream success but also recognizes artistic innovation and influence. With a diverse lineup of artists and genres represented, the 2024 VMAs further cemented its place as one of the most important nights in music.
