View source for MTV Video Music Awards

{{Short description|American music video awards (1984–present)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox award
| name = MTV Video Music Awards
| current_awards = 2025 MTV Video Music Awards
| image = mtv moon man.jpg
| imagesize = 230px
| caption = The 1983–1984 Video of the Year "Moonman" award
| awarded_for = [[Music video]]s and pop culture
| presenter = [[MTV]]
| network_list = {{plainlist|
* MTV (1984–present)
* [[CBS]] (2025–present)
* [[The CW]] (2020–22)
** ''(See individual ceremony articles for other [[simulcast]] partners)''
}}
| country = [[United States]]
| year = {{start date and age|1984|9|14}}
| website = [https://www.mtv.com/vma MTV VMA]
}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Most recent MTV Video Music Award winners
| election_date = [[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|September 7, 2025]]
| type = primary
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = [[2023 MTV Video Music Awards]]
| previous_year = [[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
| next_election = 
| next_year = 
| opinion_polls = 
| 1blank = Award
| 2blank = Winner
| image1 = [[File:Ariana Grande promoting Wicked (2024).jpg|160x160px]]
| 1data1 = [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]]
| 2data1 = [[Ariana Grande]]<br />(''[[Brighter Days Ahead]]'')
| image2 = [[File:Blackpink Rosé Rimowa 1.jpg|160x160px]][[File:BrunoMars24KMagicWorldTourLive (cropped).jpg|160x160px]]
| 1data2 = [[MTV Video Music Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]]
| 2data2 = [[Rosé (singer)|Rosé]] and [[Bruno Mars]]<br />("[[Apt. (song)|Apt]]")
| image4 = [[File:Lady Gaga at the White House in 2023 (1).jpg|160x160px]]
| 1data4 = [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]
| 2data4 = [[Lady Gaga]]
| image5 = [[File:Image Alex W (cropped).jpg|160x160px]]
| 1data5 = [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]
| 2data5 = [[Alex Warren]]
| title = Video of the Year
| before_election = "[[Fortnight (song)|Fortnight]]"
| after_election = ''[[Brighter Days Ahead]]''
}}
{{MTV}}

The '''MTV Video Music Awards''' (commonly abbreviated to '''VMAs''') is an award show presented by [[MTV]] to honor the best in the [[music video]] medium. The ceremony has often been called the [[Super Bowl]] for youth, an acknowledgment of the VMA ceremony's ability to draw millions of youth from teens to 20-somethings each year.<ref name=nyt1>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/20/business/media-business-advertising-mtv-s-sponsors-hope-video-music-awards-can-draw-crowd.html|title=MTV's sponsors hope the Video Music Awards can draw a crowd, without wardrobe malfunctions. |last1=Elliot |first1=Stuart |date=August 20, 2004 |work =[[The New York Times|NYTimes.com]]  |access-date=19 September 2010}}</ref> By 2001, the VMA had become a coveted award.<ref name=bbc1>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1456093.stm|title=MTV's irresistible rise |date=July 1, 2000 |work=[[BBC News|News.BBC.co.uk]]  |access-date=16 September 2009}}</ref>

The annual VMA ceremony occurs before the end of summer and held either in late August or mid-September, and broadcast live on CBS. The [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|first VMA ceremony]] was held in 1984 at [[New York City]]'s [[Radio City Music Hall]]. The ceremonies are normally held in either New York City or [[Los Angeles]]. However, the ceremonies have also been hosted in [[Miami, Florida|Miami]], [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Newark, New Jersey]], and [[Elmont, New York]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3122461/2019-vmas-announcement/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430193235/http://www.mtv.com/news/3122461/2019-vmas-announcement/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 30, 2019 | title=The 2019 VMAs Will Go Where The Show Has Never Gone Before | work=MTV News | date=April 29, 2018 | access-date=April 29, 2018 | author=Roth, Madeline}}</ref>

The statue given to winners is an astronaut on the Moon, one of the earliest representations of MTV, and was colloquially called a "moonman", though it has been called a "moon person" by MTV since the [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017 ceremony]]. The statue was conceived by [[Manhattan Design]], who were also designers of the original MTV logo, based on the network's debut [[station identification|network identification]] animation utilizing [[Apollo 11]] mission footage, created by [[Fred Seibert]] and produced by [[Alan Goodman]] and [[Buzz Potamkin]] at [[Buzzco Associates]]. The statue is now made by [[Society Awards]], a New York City-based firm.<ref>{{cite news|last1=del Castillo|first1=Michael|title=Downtime: The man behind MTV's moonman|url=http://upstart.bizjournals.com/entrepreneurs/hot-shots/2012/09/06/downtime-with-society-award-david-moritz.html?page=all|website=upstart.bizjournals.com}}</ref> Since the [[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006 ceremony]], viewers are able to vote for their favorite videos in all general categories.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=SpinMedia Group|title=MTV Announces VMA Nominees|url=http://www.spin.com/2006/07/mtv-announces-vma-nominees/|date=July 31, 2006|access-date=August 31, 2015}}</ref>

[[Taylor Swift]] is the most awarded solo artist in the history of the VMAs, having won 30 trophies between 2009 and 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-12 |title=MTV Awards: Taylor Swift becomes biggest ever VMA winner |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cy767knzxxeo |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=BBC Newsround |language=en-GB}}</ref> which includes record-breaking five Video of the Year VMAs ("[[Bad Blood (Taylor Swift song)|Bad Blood]]", "[[You Need to Calm Down|You Need To Calm Down]]", ''[[All Too Well: The Short Film]]'', "[[Anti-Hero (song)|Anti-Hero]]" and "[[Fortnight (song)|Fortnight]]").

==Notable moments==
===1980s===
[[File:Radio City Music Hall - August 2025.jpg|thumb|[[Radio City Music Hall]], site of 12 VMAs, including the [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|first]]]]
'''1984''': at the [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|first MTV Video Music Awards]] in [[1984 in music|1984]], [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] performed her hit "[[Like a Virgin (song)|Like a Virgin]]" wearing a combination [[bustier]]/[[wedding gown]], including her trademark "Boy Toy" belt. During the performance, she rolled around on the floor, revealing lace stockings and a [[garter (stockings)|garter]].<ref name=birthicon>{{cite web|url=http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20053852_20083005,00.html|title=Birth of an Icon|date=September 9, 2007|work=[[InStyle]].com|access-date=19 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713044403/http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20053852_20083005,00.html|archive-date=13 July 2011}}</ref> [[Cyndi Lauper]] spoke in "''[[The Exorcist (film)|Exorcist]]''-esque gibberish" to explain the VMA rules right before winning the Best Female video for "[[Girls Just Want to Have Fun]]".<ref name=cindi>{{cite web|url=http://blaze.gaynewsnetwork.com.au/reviews-television/can-you-handler-this-004004.html|title=Can you Handler this?|last1=Mico|first1=Nate|date=September 13, 2010|work=blaze.gaynewsnetwork.com.au|publisher=Evolution Publishing|access-date=20 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918234757/http://blaze.gaynewsnetwork.com.au/reviews-television/can-you-handler-this-004004.html|archive-date=18 September 2010}}</ref> [[David Bowie]], [[the Beatles]] and director Richard Lester were rewarded with the first ever [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award|Video Vanguard Awards]] for their work in pioneering the [[music video]]. The Cars' "[[You Might Think]]" won the very first video of the year, beating out [[Michael Jackson]]'s "Thriller" and [[Herbie Hancock]]'s "Rockit".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-cars/you-might-think|title=You Might Think by The Cars - Songfacts|website=www.songfacts.com}}</ref>

'''1987''': At the [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards]], [[Peter Gabriel]] won ten awards, including the [[Video Vanguard Award]] and [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]] for his video "[[Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel song)|Sledgehammer]]", holding the VMA record for most Moonmen in a single night.

'''1988''': At the [[1988 MTV Video Music Awards]], [[Michael Jackson]] appeared for the first time. A pre-recorded live performance of [[Bad (album)|''Bad'']] was shown."<ref name=elton/> He was also awarded the [[MTV Video Music Award – Video Vanguard|Video Vanguard Award]],<ref name=mjvanguard>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.ca/vma/2009/article.jhtml?id=10283 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331020421/https://www.mtv.ca/vma/2009/article.jhtml?id=10283 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 31, 2020 |title=1988 WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE |date=August 7, 2008 |work=[[MTV (Canada)|MTV Canada]] |publisher=[[CTVglobemedia]] |access-date=27 September 2010 }}</ref> which was later renamed in his honor.

'''1989''': Comedian [[Andrew Dice Clay]] appeared at the ''[[1989 MTV Video Music Awards|1989 Video Music Awards]]'' to promote his new movie, ''[[The Adventures of Ford Fairlane]]'', earning a "lifetime ban" from the network when he introduced [[Cher]] with some of his recently notorious [[nursery rhyme]]s that contained vulgar language and references.<ref name=andrewdiceclay>{{cite web|url= https://www.mtv.com/news/f67vli/andrew-dice-clay-banned-vmas|title=The 2010 VMA Countdown: Andrew Dice Clay Earns Himself A Lifetime Ban|author=MTV News|date=August 18, 2010|work=MTV.com|access-date=January 16, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018005826/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/08/18/andrew-dice-clay-banned-vmas/|url-status=dead}}</ref> After performing with [[Tom Petty]], [[Guns N' Roses]] guitarist [[Izzy Stradlin]] was assaulted by [[Mötley Crüe]] [[lead singer]] [[Vince Neil]], leading to a verbal battle between Neil and Guns N' Roses lead singer [[Axl Rose]].<ref name=pettyassault>{{cite web |url= http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/history/history89.php|title=Here Today... Gone To Hell! – Guns N' Roses History – 1989|work=HereTodayGoneToHell.com |access-date=19 September 2010}}</ref>

[[Jon Bon Jovi]] and [[Richie Sambora]] turned out a stripped-down acoustic performance of the [[Bon Jovi]] hits "[[Livin' on a Prayer]]" and "[[Wanted Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi song)|Wanted Dead or Alive]]", and in the process possibly provided the inspirational spark for [[MTV Unplugged]].<ref name=vma1989/><ref name="foo">{{cite web|url= http://www.mtv.com/photos/2005-video-music-awards-hot-shots/1505127/1755775/photo/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150117115929/http://www.mtv.com/photos/2005-video-music-awards-hot-shots/1505127/1755775/photo/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= January 17, 2015 |title=Bon Jovi unplug at the VMAs, and an MTV tradition is born (1989) &#124; MTV Photo Gallery |publisher=MTV |access-date=2011-08-05}}</ref> While the [[showrunners]] have stated that it was already in development by the time of the event, they've also credited the pair's performance with influencing the show to go from initially being meant only for "young, up-and-coming artists" into being a simplified showcase for the "big, stadium, electric-arena-type acts".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theringer.com/2017/09/07/music/mtv-unplugged-nirvana-don-henley-paul-mccartney | title=Nirvana, Lauryn Hill, and Faxes from Don Henley: Behind the Scenes at the Original 'MTV Unplugged' | date=September 7, 2017 }}</ref>

[[Paula Abdul]] was nominated for six awards, picking up four wins. She performed a seven-minute medley of her singles "[[Straight Up (Paula Abdul song)|Straight Up]]", "[[Cold Hearted (Paula Abdul song)|Cold Hearted]]", and "[[Forever Your Girl (song)|Forever Your Girl]]".<ref name=vma1989/>

When [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] won the Viewer's Choice Award (sponsored by Pepsi-Cola) for her "[[Like a Prayer (song)|Like a Prayer]]" video, she thanked [[Pepsi-Cola Company|Pepsi-Cola]] in her acceptance speech "for causing so much controversy". Pepsi-Cola had paid Madonna $5 million to appear in a commercial that would predominantly feature the world premiere of "Like a Prayer"; the commercial, titled "Make a Wish", depicted Madonna drinking Pepsi and watching a home video of her eighth birthday. The tone that the commercial sought to convey sharply contrasted with the music video. When Pepsi executives saw the video, they yanked the advertisement after only two airings, in an attempt to dissociate themselves from Madonna.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/5-14-2004-54134.asp |title=The "Like A Prayer" Controversy |last1=Kulkarni |first1=Dhananjay |work=Buzzle|access-date=19 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919045153/http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/5-14-2004-54134.asp |archive-date=19 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also gave one of the most memorable performances of her hit "[[Express Yourself (Madonna song)|Express Yourself]]", as a preview of what would become her [[Blond Ambition World Tour]].<ref name=vma1989/>

===1990s===
[[File:Nirvana around 1992.jpg|thumb|[[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] performing at the [[1992 MTV Video Music Awards]]]]
'''1990''': at the ''[[1990 MTV Video Music Awards]]'', [[Madonna]]  performed her single "[[Vogue (Madonna song)|Vogue]]", which featured Madonna and her backup dancers dressed in an 18th-century French theme, with Madonna bearing great resemblance to [[Marie Antoinette]]. The performance consisted of both a dramatic historical reinterpretation of "Vogue" as well as her dramatically becorseted breasts.<ref name=madonna1990>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2292561/vma-veteran-five-years-of-madonna-performances/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011220331/http://www.mtv.com/news/2292561/vma-veteran-five-years-of-madonna-performances/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 11, 2015|title=VMA Veteran: Five Years of Madonna Performances |last1=Anitai |first1=Tamar |date=August 25, 2008 |work=MTV |access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

'''1991''': during the award show the MTV Video Vanguard Award was renamed to the [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]] from then on, in honor of his contributions to the culture of music videos<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mtv.com/vma/1991 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625061818/http://www.mtv.com/vma/1991 | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 25, 2016 | title=vmas 1991 | work=MTV | access-date=June 17, 2016}}</ref> by changing them from a  promotional tool featuring musicians playing instruments and singing, to a "short film" with a storyline.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.mtv.com/news/lxhq0w/michael-jacksons-thriller-added-to-national-film-registry |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221206171405/https://www.mtv.com/news/lxhq0w/michael-jacksons-thriller-added-to-national-film-registry |url-status= dead |archive-date= December 6, 2022 |title=Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Added To National Film Registry |first=Gil |last=Kaufman |work=[[MTV]]|date=December 30, 2009 |access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

A conflict between [[Poison (American band)|Poison]]'s [[Bret Michaels]] and [[C.C. DeVille]] culminated in a fistfight at the ''[[1991 MTV Video Music Awards]]''. DeVille was fired and replaced by [[Pennsylvania]]n guitarist [[Richie Kotzen]].<ref name=vma1991/> [[Paul Reubens]] had his first public appearance, during the opening montage, following an arrest for lewd-conduct earlier that year. Taking the stage in costume as [[Pee-wee Herman]], he received a standing ovation, after which he asked the audience, "Heard any good jokes lately?".<ref name=peewee>{{cite web|url= https://www.mtv.com/news/qbdnrz/pee-wees-big-return-paul-reubens-discusses-plans-for-two-pee-wee-films |title=Pee-Wee's Big Return? Paul Reubens Discusses Plans For Two Pee-Wee Films |last=Horowitz |first=Josh |date=December 11, 2007 |work=MTV |access-date=January 16, 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230163910/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1576172/20071210/story.jhtml |archive-date=30 December 2008 }}</ref> After his appearance, [[Van Halen]] made their television debut, performing "[[Poundcake (song)|Poundcake]]". [[Metallica]] was another highlight of the performances with "[[Enter Sandman]]".

[[Prince (musician)|Prince]] and [[New Power Generation|The New Power Generation]] performed their song "[[Gett Off]]" on a [[Caligula]]-esque set, with Prince dressed in a yellow mesh outfit which exposed his buttocks. His trousers were parodied numerous times throughout the following year, on the sketch comedy TV series ''[[In Living Color]]'', and even at the following year's VMAs by radio [[shock jock]] [[Howard Stern]]. It also marked the final TV appearance of [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] with [[Eric Carr]] prior to Carr's death in November 1991.

'''1992''': in the [[1992 MTV Video Music Awards|1992 show]], MTV requested [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] perform "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]", while the band itself had indicated it preferred to play new songs "[[Rape Me]]" and "[[In Utero (album)|{{not a typo|tourette's}}]]". Network executives continued to push for "Teen Spirit" but finally offered the band a choice to play either "Teen Spirit" or "[[Lithium (Nirvana song)|Lithium]]", which the band appeared to accept. At the performance, Nirvana began to play, and [[Kurt Cobain]] played the first few chords of the song, "Rape Me", much to the horror of MTV execs, before continuing their regular performance of "Lithium". Near the end of the song, frustrated that his amplifier had stopped functioning, bassist [[Krist Novoselic]] decided to toss his bass into the air for dramatic effect. He misjudged the landing, and the bass ended up bouncing off of his forehead, forcing him to stumble off the stage in a daze.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/nirvanas-mtv-vmas-1992-bad-night/|title=The Story Of Nirvana's Horrific Night At The 1992 VMAs|date=August 27, 2015}}</ref>

Backstage and before the show, [[Guns N' Roses]] vocalist [[Axl Rose]] challenged Cobain to a fight after he, his wife, [[Hole (band)|Hole]] lead singer [[Courtney Love]], and Nirvana bandmates [[Krist Novoselic]] and [[Dave Grohl]] egged him on. At the end of Nirvana's performance, while Cobain was trashing the band's equipment, [[Dave Grohl]] ran to the microphone and shouted "Hi, Axl! Where's Axl?" repeatedly. Guns N' Roses' video for the [[ballad]] "[[November Rain]]" won the MTV Video Music Award for best cinematography. During the show, the band performed "November Rain" with singer [[Elton John]]. Because of the dispute Rose had with Cobain, moments before the "November Rain" performance, Cobain spat on the keys of what he thought was Axl's piano. Cobain later revealed that he was shocked to see Elton John play on the piano he had spat on.<ref name=elton>{{cite web|url=http://egotvonline.com/2010/09/13/6-odd-facts-about-the-mtv-vmas/ |title=6 Odd Facts About The MTV VMA's |last1=Illuminati |first1=Chris |date=September 13, 2010 |work=egotvonline.com |publisher=Hutch Media |access-date=19 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914123407/http://egotvonline.com/2010/09/13/6-odd-facts-about-the-mtv-vmas/ |archive-date=September 14, 2010 }}</ref> During the commercial break, the Alien 3 Pepsi commercial was shown.

Radio host [[Howard Stern]] appeared as [[Fartman (Howard Stern)|Fartman]], Stern's radio superhero, wearing a buttocks-exposing costume obviously inspired by Prince's outfit from the previous year. Stern was a presenter for best hard rock/metal performance with actor [[Luke Perry]] (after several other celebrities turned him down).

'''1993''': at the [[1993 MTV Video Music Awards]], [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] opened the show in a gender-bending performance of her song "[[Bye Bye Baby (Madonna song)|Bye Bye Baby]]", in which Madonna and her two backup singers, dressed in tuxedos and top hats, danced with women in corsets in a choreographed, highly sexual routine.<ref name="vma1993" />

[[RuPaul]] and [[Milton Berle]], who had conflicts backstage, presented an award together. When Berle touched RuPaul's breasts, RuPaul ad-libbed the line "So you used to wear gowns, but now you're wearing diapers."<ref name="vma1993" />

Rapper [[Snoop Dogg]] presented the Best R&B Video award with [[Dr. Dre]] and [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]]. At the time, Snoop was wanted in connection with the week-old drive-by murder of an L.A. gang member.<ref name="vma1993" />

[[Janet Jackson]] closed the show with her performance of "[[That's the Way Love Goes (Janet Jackson song)|That's the Way Love Goes]]" & "[[If (Janet Jackson song)|If]]".

'''1994''': at the [[1994 MTV Video Music Awards]] on September 8, months after [[Madonna on Late Show with David Letterman|a profanity-laced appearance]] on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'', [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] was announced to present the award for Best Video of the Year. She came out, arm-in-arm with an unannounced [[David Letterman]], to a wild ovation. At the microphone, Letterman told her "I'll be in the car. Watch your language", and left.<ref name="letterman">{{cite web |url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/videogaga/7866/most-memorable-madonna-moments-11-15/|title=Most Memorable Madonna Moments: 11–15|last1=Lyndsey  |first1=Parker  |date=August 14, 2008 |work=Yahoo.com |access-date=27 September 2010}}</ref>

Recently betrothed couple [[Michael Jackson]] and [[Lisa Marie Presley]] received a standing ovation as they walked on stage hand-in-hand. After turning to the audience and proclaiming, "And just think, nobody thought this would last", Jackson grabbed Presley and kissed her.<ref name="vma1994" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20053852_20083016,00.html |title=Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley, 1994 VMA, The VMA Most Memorable Moments – Party Photos – Parties – In Style |publisher=Instyle.com |date=2007-09-09 |access-date=2011-08-05 |archive-date=June 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624053857/http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20053852_20083016,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

'''1995''': at the [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards]], [[Hole (band)|Hole]] perform the song "[[Violet (Hole song)|Violet]]" from their major-label debut album ''[[Live Through This]]''. This was one of the first major televised performances given by frontwoman [[Courtney Love]] following [[Suicide of Kurt Cobain|the death]] of her husband [[Kurt Cobain]] and the death of her band's bassist [[Kristen Pfaff]] in 1994.  Before beginning the song, Love dedicated the performance to her husband and different people in the entertainment industry who had recently died: "This is for Kurt, and Kristen, and [[River Phoenix|River]], and [[Murder of Joe Cole|Joe]], and today Joni Abbott, this is for you." Abbott worked in the Talent Relations department at MTV and had recently committed suicide.<ref>"Throwing the Book at Viacom." ''New York Magazine'' (March 17, 1997). New York City, New York. p. 13</ref> The song ended with Love throwing her guitar, knocking the microphone stand into the crowd and pushing over speaker-boxes with bandmate [[Eric Erlandson]] before exiting the stage.<ref name="arizona1">{{cite web |url=http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/music/articles/2010/09/09/20100909mtv-vmas-memorable-moments.html?page=4|title=10 most memorable moments of the MTV Video Music Awards – Living through this (1995)|last1=Masley |first1=Ed |date=September 9, 2010 |work=[[The Arizona Republic|azcentral.com]] |access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref> Love also caused a stir when she interrupted a post-ceremony interview with [[Kurt Loder]] and [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] by throwing her make-up compacts at the singer as they broadcast outside the awards venue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBTl611c9fs  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/TBTl611c9fs| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=YouTube – courtney love vs madonna |publisher=Youtube.com |date=2009-09-23 |access-date=2011-08-05}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

[[Michael Jackson]] performed for over 15 minutes to a medley of his main songs, including "[[Scream (Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson song)|Scream]]", and danced his signature moves, including the robot, moonwalk and the relatively unknown "[[Bankhead Bounce]]". While Slash accompanied Jackson and played guitar on "[[Black or White]] and the beginning of Billie Jean".<ref name="vma1995" /> This performance was voted by the public as the Best VMA Pop Performance and Most Iconic VMA Performance in 2011 with more than half the votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/12/best-vma-pop-performance/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928073319/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/12/best-vma-pop-performance/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |title=Poll: Best VMA Pop Performance |publisher=Newsroom.mtv.com |date=2011-08-12 |access-date=2013-09-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/12/most-iconic-vma-moments/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923022430/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/12/most-iconic-vma-moments/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 23, 2011 |title=Poll: Most Iconic VMA Performance |publisher=Newsroom.mtv.com |date=2011-08-12 |access-date=2013-09-01}}</ref>

[[TLC (band)|TLC]] was the big winner of the night won four awards, including "Viewer's Choice", "Best Group Video", and "Video of the Year" (Waterfalls).

'''1996''': at the [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards]], the four original members of [[Van Halen]] received 20-second [[standing ovation]] when they made their first public appearance together since their break-up in [[1985 in music|1985]].

Several weeks later, the public learned that Van Halen would not reunite with Roth. Roth released a statement apologizing to fans, stating that he was an unwitting participant in a publicity stunt to sell more copies of the greatest hits album, ''[[Best Of – Volume I (Van Halen album)|Best Of Vol. 1]]'', and that he had been led to believe that he was rejoining Van Halen. The following day, Eddie and [[Alex Van Halen]] released a statement, stating that they had been honest with Roth, and never led him to believe that he had been re-hired.{{citation needed|date=April 2012}}

During British band [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]]' performance at the show, lead vocalist [[Liam Gallagher]] made rude gestures at brother [[Noel Gallagher|Noel]] as he was playing his guitar solo, then spat beer all over the stage before storming off.<ref name="vma1996" />

[[Alanis Morissette]] performed "Your House", a [[hidden track]] from her bestseller album "[[Jagged Little Pill]]".

The recently reunited [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] closed the show with a special concert aired from the [[Brooklyn Bridge]].<ref name="arizona2">{{cite web |url= http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/music/articles/2010/09/09/20100909mtv-vmas-memorable-moments.html?page=5|title=10 most memorable moments of the MTV Video Music Awards – Kiss and make up (1996)|last1=Masley |first1=Ed |date=September 9, 2010 |work=[[The Arizona Republic|azcentral.com]] |access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>

[[Tupac Shakur]] made his final public appearance before [[Murder of Tupac Shakur|his murder]].

'''1997''': at the [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards]], [[Pat Smear]] announced that he was leaving [[Foo Fighters]] halfway through their performance and presented his replacement, [[Franz Stahl]], who had been a member of the band [[Scream (band)|Scream]] with [[Dave Grohl]].<ref name="foofighters">{{cite web |url= http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2008/08/29/vma-flashback-friday-foo-fighters-fight-to-further-their-rock-supremacy/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080901161007/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2008/08/29/vma-flashback-friday-foo-fighters-fight-to-further-their-rock-supremacy/|url-status= dead|archive-date= September 1, 2008|title=VMA Flashback Friday: Foo Fighters Fight To Further Their Rock Supremacy |date=August 29, 2008 |work=MTV.com  |access-date=21 September 2010}}</ref>

The [[Spice Girls]], who won the best dance video award for their music video "[[Wannabe (song)|Wannabe]]", wore a black strap on their left arms as a sign of grief because of [[Diana, Princess of Wales]]'s [[Death of Diana, Princess of Wales|death]] four days prior to the event.

While accepting the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist Video that year for "[[Sleep to Dream]]", [[Fiona Apple]] appealed to her audience not to be enamored of [[celebrity culture]]. She proclaimed, "this world is bullshit" and quoted [[Maya Angelou]], saying "go with yourself". Though her comments were generally greeted with cheers and applause at the awards ceremony, the media backlash was huge. Some considered her remarks to be hypocritical, however she was unapologetic: "When I have something to say, I'll say it."<ref name="vma1997" /><ref name="cracked">{{cite web|url=http://www.cracked.com/article_15292_5-most-absurd-moments-in-vma-history.html |title=The 5 Most Absurd Moments in VMA History |last=O'Brien |first=Jack |work=[[Cracked.com]] |date=August 27, 2007 |access-date=19 September 2010}}</ref><ref name="fiona">{{cite web |url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/08/16/fiona-apple-vmas/ |title=The 2010 MTV VMA Countdown: Fiona Apple Tells Us A Thing Or Two |author=MTV News |date=August 16, 2010 |work=MTV.com |access-date=20 September 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018005826/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/08/16/fiona-apple-vmas/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Marilyn Manson]] performed the song "[[The Beautiful People (song)|The Beautiful People]]", as the grand finale, and the video for this song was nominated for "Best Rock Video" and "Best Special Effects", marking one of the most significant performances for the band.<ref name="manson">{{cite web |url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/08/27/marilyn-manson-vmas-1997/ |title=The 2010 VMA Countdown: Marilyn Manson Bares All |author=MTV News |date=August 16, 2010 |work=MTV.com |access-date=20 September 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018005826/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/08/27/marilyn-manson-vmas-1997/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

'''1998''': at the [[1998 MTV Video Music Awards]], during the original broadcast of the show, a commercial faded in the [[Nine Inch Nails]] NIN logo on a black screen while playing a combination of music that started as a solo piano piece and morphed into an electronic/industrial beat (which would later found out to be the songs "La Mer" and "[[Into the Void (Nine Inch Nails song)|Into the Void]]", which share many melodic components and can be considered variations on a theme) and ended with [[Trent Reznor]] screaming "Tried to save myself, but myself kept slipping away" and the word "ninetynine" in the trademark NIN reversed-N font. This was only shown once during the original broadcast, was edited out of all repeats.

[[Geri Halliwell]] attended the event, one of her first public appearances since she left the [[Spice Girls]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Archive-Sorelle-Saidman|title=Geri Halliwell Nixes Talk Of Spice Girls Reunion|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429877/geri-halliwell-nixes-talk-of-spice-girls-reunion/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818122903/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429877/geri-halliwell-nixes-talk-of-spice-girls-reunion/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 18, 2021|access-date=2021-08-18|website=MTV News|language=en}}</ref>

At the red carpet, actress [[Rose McGowan]] was wearing a see-through dress, no bra, and a thong,<ref name="mcgowan">{{cite web |url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2008/08/19/vma-trashbag-tuesday-rose-mcgowan-gurl-we-can-see-your-naughty-bits/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002083708/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2008/08/19/vma-trashbag-tuesday-rose-mcgowan-gurl-we-can-see-your-naughty-bits/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 2, 2008|title=VMA Trashbag Tuesday: Rose McGowan at the 1998 VMAs – Gurl! We Can See Your Naughty Bits|last1=Anitai|first1=Tamar|date=August 8, 2001|work=MTV.com  |access-date=21 September 2010}}</ref> while [[Mariah Carey]] and [[Whitney Houston]] poked fun at their rumored rift by wearing lookalike chocolate brown dresses by [[Vera Wang]]. In an attempt to outdo each other, the singers tore off pieces of their dresses to reveal minidresses then staged a faux [[catfight]] that left the audience in disbelief. "People thought Whitney and I had some kind of beef", explained Carey.<ref name="carey">{{cite web |url=http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20170110_20220075_20497973,00.html |title=VMA Fashion Flashback – Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston |date=August 20, 2008 |work=[[InStyle]].com |access-date=19 September 2010 |archive-date=April 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422171241/http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20170110_20220075_20497973,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

'''1999''': [[Lil' Kim]] showed up at the [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards]] with an entire breast exposed and only a small pasty over the nipple. Kim's outfit became even more controversial later when she appeared on stage with [[Diana Ross]] and [[Mary J. Blige]] to present the Best Hip-Hop Video award, and Ross reached over, cupped her hand under Kim's exposed breast and jiggled it while Kim laughed.<ref name="careercrip" />

During the following acceptance speech by the [[Beastie Boys]], group member [[Ad-Rock]] addressed the instances of rape and sexual assault that occurred in the crowd at the recent [[Woodstock 1999]] concert event.  He pleaded to other musicians in the room to make a change in the way they treat fans at concerts; to pledge to talk with promoters and security to ensure "the safety of all the girls and the women who come to our shows".<ref name="npr">{{cite web |url= https://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2010/09/13/129833419/mtv-loves-mtv-a-bad-romance?ft=1&f=1039|title=MTV Loves MTV: A Bad Romance |last1=Ganz |first1=Jacob |date=September 13, 2010 |work=NPR.org  |access-date=19 September 2010}}</ref>

[[Afeni Shakur]] and Voletta Wallace, the mothers of the recently deceased [[Tupac Shakur]] and [[The Notorious B.I.G.]], met for the first time at the ceremony.<ref name="vma1999" />

[[Britney Spears]] made her debut appearance on the show, performing her single "[[...Baby One More Time]]" and later introducing [[NSYNC]] for "[[Tearin' Up My Heart]]".

[[Ricky Martin]] took the stage of the ceremony to perform his singles "[[She's All I Ever Had]]" and "[[Livin' la Vida Loca]]".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.feelingthevibe.com/news/the-performers-from-1999-mtvs-video-music-awards-where-are-they-now/| title=THE PERFORMERS FROM 1999 MTV'S VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?| access-date=March 8, 2021| date=June 26, 2020| archive-date=May 5, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505153709/https://www.feelingthevibe.com/news/the-performers-from-1999-mtvs-video-music-awards-where-are-they-now/| url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[TLC (band)|TLC]] won Best Group Video for "[[No Scrubs]]", receiving a [[standing ovation]] from the audience and artists. For the second year in a row, the [[Backstreet Boys]] took the Viewer's Choice Award for "[[I Want It That Way]]", a song they performed during the broadcast.

Before presenting the final award, a group of [[Drag queen|drag queens]] paid tribute to Madonna wearing her most iconic outfits with a medley of her hit songs. Madonna herself then appeared onstage and remarked, "All I have to say is that it takes a real man to fill my shoes." She then introduced [[Paul McCartney]], who presented the Video of the Year to "some guy called Laurence Hill" ([[Lauryn Hill]]).

===2000s===
'''2000''': at the [[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000 Video Music Awards]], [[Limp Bizkit]] won the award for Best Rock Video. As vocalist [[Fred Durst]] spoke, [[Rage Against the Machine]] bassist [[Tim Commerford]] climbed onto the scaffolding of the set. Durst egged Commerford on, saying "Stage dive, dude" and "Take a dive", finally ending his speech with "and [Commerford]'s a pussy 'cause he won't jump". Commerford and his [[bodyguard]] were sentenced to a night in jail. RATM vocalist [[Zack de la Rocha]] reportedly left the awards after Commerford's stunt. RATM guitarist [[Tom Morello]] recalled that Commerford related his plan to the rest of the band before the show, and that both de la Rocha and Morello advised him against it immediately after Bizkit was presented the award.<ref name="billboard1">{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/513488/mtv-vmas-top-10-crazy-moments-of-all-time|title=MTV Loves MTV: A Bad Romance |last1= Mapes |first1=Jillian |last2= Letkemann |first2=Jessica |date=September 9, 2010 |work=Billboard.com  |access-date=20 September 2010}}</ref><ref name="limp">{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/09/03/rage-against-the-machine-2000-vmas/|title=The 2010 VMA Countdown: Rage Against The Machine Bassist Gets A Better Look At The Action|author=MTV News|date=September 3, 2010|work=MTV.com|access-date=20 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911220337/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/09/03/rage-against-the-machine-2000-vmas|archive-date=11 September 2010}}</ref>

[[Eminem]] performed his two singles "[[The Real Slim Shady]]" and "[[The Way I Am (Eminem song)|The Way I Am]]". The performance began with Eminem's single "The Real Slim Shady" which started outside the [[Radio City Music Hall]] on [[Sixth Avenue|6th Avenue, Manhattan]]. Eminem continued his performance into the arena and was followed by a hundred Eminem 'clones' wearing white tank tops and baggy jeans with bleached blonde hair.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2000/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828092653/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2000/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 28, 2008 |title=mtv.com |publisher=MTV |date=2000-09-07 |access-date=2011-08-05}}</ref>

[[Napster]] co-founder [[Shawn Fanning]] co-introduced [[Britney Spears]]. Fanning wore a [[Metallica]] T-shirt, much to the displeasure of Metallica drummer and anti-Napster advocate [[Lars Ulrich]]. Britney performed "[[(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction]]" and her newest smash hit "[[Oops!... I Did It Again (song)|Oops!... I Did It Again]]", which gained media attention mostly due to Spears's ripping off a tuxedo to reveal nude-colored performance attire. At performance's end, VMA co-host Marlon Wayans proclaimed, "Girl done went from '[[The All New Mickey Mouse Club|The Mickey Mouse Club]]' to the strip club."<ref name="britvma">{{cite web |url= https://www.mtv.com/news/d65qst/britney-spears-greatest-vma-hits-barely-there-costumes-giant-snakes-and-a-scandalous-lip-lock|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220910021959/https://www.mtv.com/news/d65qst/britney-spears-greatest-vma-hits-barely-there-costumes-giant-snakes-and-a-scandalous-lip-lock|url-status= dead|archive-date= September 10, 2022|title=Britney Spears' Greatest VMA Hits: Barely There Costumes, Giant Snakes And A Scandalous Lip-Lock |last=Montgomery |first=James |date=September 6, 2007 |work=MTV|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

At the end of [[Christina Aguilera]]'s performance, Durst walked onstage and performed part of his band's song "Livin' It Up" with Aguilera. After eliciting charged reactions from his fans, Durst stated: "I already told you guys before, I did it all for the [[nookie (Limp Bizkit song)|nookie]], man."<ref name="nookie1">{{cite web |url= https://www.mtv.com/news/lkm1z1/limps-durst-explains-aguilera-duet|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220718191209/https://www.mtv.com/news/lkm1z1/limps-durst-explains-aguilera-duet|url-status= dead|archive-date= July 18, 2022|title=Limp's Durst Explains Aguilera Duet|date=October 3, 2000|work=MTV|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> The feud died weeks later. Aguilera denied Durst's statement, saying Durst "got no nookie".<ref name="nookie2">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/wq6hdf/aguilera-responds-to-dursts-nookie-comment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929085321/https://www.mtv.com/news/wq6hdf/aguilera-responds-to-dursts-nookie-comment|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 29, 2022|title=Aguilera Responds To Durst's "Nookie" Comment|last1=Manning|first1=Kara|date=October 10, 2000|work=MTV |access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

Aguilera and Spears disproved rumors of a rivalry when they came onstage, holding hands, and introduced [[Whitney Houston]]. Houston, who had been targeted by the media for erratic behavior, canceled appearances, drug use rumors and being busted for carrying [[marijuana]] at a Hawaii airport just a few months prior, came out to a standing ovation and introduced an award to Eminem with husband [[Bobby Brown]], who was recently let out from jail. Houston revealed more erratic behavior, jumping up and down saying "free" in reference to Brown's recent jail release. [[Aaliyah]] would win two MTV Video Music Awards for Best Female Video and Best Video from a Film for [[Try Again (Aaliyah song)|"Try Again"]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}}

'''2001''': at the [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001 Video Music Awards]], [[Britney Spears]] performed her single, "[[I'm a Slave 4 U]]". while dancing in a very revealing outfit, the performance featured the singer in a cage with a [[tiger]] and briefly dancing with a real [[albino]] snake on her shoulders. The inclusion of a tiger and a snake in the performance bought a great deal of criticism from [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]].<ref name="britvma" /><ref name="bcm">{{cite web|url=http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20053852_20083019,00.html |title=Britney's Snake Dance |date=September 9, 2007 |work=[[InStyle]].com |access-date=19 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203071400/http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0%2C%2C20053852_20083019%2C00.html |archive-date=3 February 2009 }}</ref>

[[U2]] had been set to perform a medley including "[[Elevation (song)|Elevation]]", "[[Beautiful Day]]" and "[[Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of]]". The riser they were performing on lost power and MTV had to cut to several minutes of promos while everything was set up again. They lost power again and finally the band was lowered to the ground and performed without the riser. After the performance, lead singer [[Bono]] explained that MTV "forgot to pay the electricity bill".<ref name="vma2001" />

[[Michael Jackson]] made a surprise appearance at the end of [[NSYNC]]'s performance of "[[Pop (NSYNC song)|Pop]]". Surrounded by members of the group, Jackson performed some of his trademark dance moves to [[Justin Timberlake]]'s [[beatbox]]ing.<ref name="vma2001" />

The show paid tribute to the [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] singer/actress [[Aaliyah]], who was supposed to present an award but [[2001 Marsh Harbour Cessna 402 crash|died]] two weeks before in a plane crash. U2 paid tribute to [[punk-rock]] singer [[Joey Ramone]], who died of [[lymphoma]] 4 months before.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2001-08-29-aaliyah-tribute.htm | work=USA Today | title=Fans and friends pay tribute to Aaliyah | date=29 August 2001}}</ref>

'''2002''': in 2002, [[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|the VMAs]] took place on [[Michael Jackson]]'s birthday, and as a tribute, [[Britney Spears]] introduced him saying she "considered him the artist of the millennium". Jackson said, "When I was a little boy growing up in Indiana if someone told me I'd be getting 'the artist of the millennium award,' I'd have never believed it."<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2223890.stm | work=BBC News | title=Eminem scoops MTV video awards | date=August 30, 2002 | access-date=May 13, 2010}}</ref> A year later, at the [[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003 VMAs]], this was parodied by presenters [[Fred Durst]] and [[Jack Black]], with Durst stating that Black was the "funniest man alive".<ref name="britvma" /><ref name="artistsofmill">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/photos/michael-jacksons-greatest-mtv-moments/1614797/4005945/photo.jhtml |title=Michael Jackson's Greatest MTV Moments |date=June 29, 2009 |work=MTV.com  |access-date=18 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917110757/http://www.mtv.com/photos/michael-jacksons-greatest-mtv-moments/1614797/4005945/photo.jhtml |archive-date=17 September 2010 }}</ref>

[[The Hives]] and [[The Vines (band)|The Vines]] both performed on the night after the sudden [[garage rock revival]] during the year, with rumors spreading around that it was to be 'battle of the bands' performance. Once The Hives performed, singer [[Howlin' Pelle Almqvist]] said to the crowd "I know you want us to play more, but that's all the time we have for so you can turn off [your TV] now",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER5UOrfdwsY | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211102/ER5UOrfdwsY| archive-date=2021-11-02 | url-status=live|title=The Hives vs. The Vines |publisher=YouTube |date=2006-12-10 |access-date=2013-09-01}}{{cbignore}}</ref> just before The Vines came on the bigger stage to perform their hit single "[[Get Free (The Vines song)|Get Free]]", ultimately destroying their set after their performance.

[[Triumph the Insult Comic Dog]] appeared and had a confrontation with Eminem. Eminem had a confrontation with [[Moby]], who had called the rapper's music [[misogyny|misogynistic]] and [[homophobia|homophobic]]. By that time, there were multiple boos from the crowd. The Best Male Video award was given to Eminem right after the confrontation with Triumph and Moby, and when Eminem went to stage to pick up the award, in the middle of his speech, he challenged Moby to fight if he continued to boo him.<ref name="2002em">{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/ujbvzl/eminem-takes-home-most-moonmen-from-video-music-awards|title=Eminem Takes Home Most Moonmen From Video Music Awards|last1=D'Angelo|first1=Joe|date=August 29, 2002|work=MTV|access-date=January 16, 2023|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116123424/https://www.mtv.com/news/ujbvzl/eminem-takes-home-most-moonmen-from-video-music-awards}}</ref>

[[Justin Timberlake]] made his solo performance debut on the show, performing his single "[[Like I Love You]]".

[[Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins]] and [[Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas]], the surviving members of the top-selling [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] trio [[TLC (band)|TLC]], made their first television appearance since the death of bandmate [[Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes]].<ref name="2002em" />

[[Shakira]] took the stage of the VMAs to perform her single "[[Objection (Tango)]]".

[[Christina Aguilera]] shocked the audience by wearing a skimpy outfit and heavy makeup, with a dirty look removing her good-girl image.<ref name="vma2002" /> She was part of an awkward moment at the awards when presenting the Best Male Video Award to Eminem, who had insulted her in 2000.<ref name="emxtina">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/dzbb1w/eminem-hugs-christina-linkin-park-bow-down-to-avril-backstage-at-the-vmas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116123426/https://www.mtv.com/news/dzbb1w/eminem-hugs-christina-linkin-park-bow-down-to-avril-backstage-at-the-vmas|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 16, 2023|title=Eminem Hugs Christina, Linkin Park Bow Down To Avril: Backstage At The VMAs |last1=Reiud |first1=Shaheem |date=August 30, 2002 |work=MTV |access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

Canadian artist [[Avril Lavigne]] won her first award ever as Best New Artist in a Video, getting the record for the youngest artist so far to win this award at the age of 17. She kicked off the 2002 VMAs with a "[[Complicated (Avril Lavigne song)|Complicated]]" / "[[Sk8er Boi]]" pre-show performance and together with [[Lisa Marie Presley]] they gave the award for Best Female Video to [[Pink (singer)|Pink]] who was under the effects of alcohol during her acceptance speech.<ref name="2002em" />

[[Axl Rose]] unveiled the new lineup of [[Guns N' Roses|New Guns N' Roses]]. The band's set was the show's finale, and although the performance was meant to be kept a secret, some New York radio outlets announced the performance earlier in the day. The band played a set consisting of "[[Welcome to the Jungle]]", "[[Madagascar (song)|Madagascar]]", and "[[Paradise City]]".<ref name="gunsnroses">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/olptt5/madonna-smooches-with-britney-and-christina-justin-coldplay-win-big-at-vmas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209092910/https://www.mtv.com/news/olptt5/madonna-smooches-with-britney-and-christina-justin-coldplay-win-big-at-vmas|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 9, 2022|title=Madonna Smooches With Britney And Christina; Justin, Coldplay Win Big At VMAs|last=Moss|first=Corey|date=August 28, 2009|work=MTV|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

'''2003''': at the [[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003 Video Music Awards]], [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] played a [[groom]] kissing her [[bride]]s, [[Britney Spears]] and [[Christina Aguilera]], on stage. The gender role-reversal and [[lesbian]] theme instantly made front-page headlines. The three singers performed a [[medley (music)|medley]] of her classic hit, "[[Like a Virgin (song)|Like a Virgin]]", and her then latest release, "[[Hollywood (Madonna song)|Hollywood]]", with a guest rap by [[Missy Elliott]]. A quick camera cut to the reaction of [[Justin Timberlake]], who dated Spears until 2002, also gained media attention.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/britney-spears-manager-larry-rudolph-on-madonna-vmas-kiss-6289038/|title=Exclusive: Britney Spears' Manager Tells the Story Behind the Infamous Madonna VMAs Kiss|magazine=Billboard|date=October 17, 2014|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> The design resembled Madonna's performance of "Like a Virgin" at the [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984 VMAs]]: the same wedding cake set, wedding dresses and "Boy Toy" belt worn by Madonna 19 years ago now adorned Aguilera and Spears.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url= http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20053852_20083007,00.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090203090745/http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20053852_20083007,00.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= February 3, 2009|title=Three's A Crowd-Pleaser |date=September 9, 2007 |work=[[InStyle]]|access-date=19 September 2010}}</ref>

[[Beyoncé]] opened her performance by descending upside down from the [[rafter]]s at Radio City Music Hall. Knowles performed "[[Baby Boy (Beyoncé song)|Baby Boy]]" as she was gently lowered to the stage, dressed in harem pants. She was later joined by [[Jay-Z]] as they performed their duet "[[Crazy in Love]]". The performance marked Knowles' solo debut.<ref name="beyonce">{{cite web |url=http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20053852_20083014,00.html |title=Head Over Heels |date=September 9, 2007 |work=[[InStyle]] |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-date=February 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203150539/http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20053852_20083014,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

'''2004''': the [[2004 MTV Video Music Awards]] were held at the [[American Airlines Arena]] in [[Miami, Florida]]. This was the first time the awards show was held outside of New York City and Los Angeles. It was the first video music awards to not have a host.<ref name="2004host">{{cite web |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/1490613/chris-rock-would-have-hosted-the-vmas-this-year-if/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150117203335/http://www.mtv.com/news/1490613/chris-rock-would-have-hosted-the-vmas-this-year-if/|url-status= dead|archive-date= January 17, 2015|title=Chris Rock Would Have Hosted The VMAs This Year, If...|last1=Moss |first1=Corey|last2=Pak|first2=SuChin  |date=August 27, 2004 |work=MTV|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

'''2005''': at the [[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005 show]], [[Green Day]] returned, taking home the Best Rock Video, Best Group Video, and Video of the Year Moonmen for "[[Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day song)|Boulevard of Broken Dreams]]", which they performed during the broadcast. They also took the Viewer's Choice award for "[[American Idiot (song)|American Idiot]]".

The 2005 VMAs were the first to have a performance in [[Spanish (language)|Spanish]], when [[Shakira]] performed her single "[[La Tortura]]" with [[Alejandro Sanz]]. It was also the first time that Spanish-language videos were nominated at the awards.<ref name="vma2005" />

Also at the show, while introducing the [[reggaeton]] spot, [[Fat Joe]] made a disparaging comment about [[G-Unit]]: "I'd like to tell the people home I feel so safe tonight with all this police protection courtesy of G-Unit...". Later in the show, after G-Unit's performance, [[50 Cent]] directed profanities at Fat Joe which were edited out before the shows airing although some broadcasts played the uncensored version of the show.<ref name="fatjoe">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/h8ptiu/fat-joe-says-50s-taunts-led-to-vma-dis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209082338/https://www.mtv.com/news/h8ptiu/fat-joe-says-50s-taunts-led-to-vma-dis|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 9, 2022|title=Fat Joe Says 50's Taunts Led To VMA Dis|last1= Reid|first1=Shaheem  |date=September 1, 2005|work=MTV|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> Reggaeton artists [[Daddy Yankee]], [[Tego Calderón]] and [[Don Omar]] performed.

Actress [[Eva Longoria]] caused a stir when she appeared barely dressed to introduce [[Mariah Carey]].<ref name="eva">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2005/08/28/mtv-video-music-awards-bests-and-worsts|title= The MTV Video Music Awards: Bests and worsts|last= Slezak|first=Michael |date=August 28, 2005|magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> [[Gwen Stefani]] and [[Snoop Dogg]] won best dressed female and male and received prizes to donate to a charity of their choice.<ref name="bestdressed">{{cite web |last1= Kappes|first1=Serena|last2= Midler|first2=Caryn|title =VMAs Wild Miami Weekend | work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date =August 29, 2005|url=https://people.com/celebrity/vmas-wild-miami-weekend/ | access-date =January 16, 2023}}</ref>

[[Kelly Clarkson]] performed a high energy version of her song "[[Since U Been Gone]]" barefoot wearing a graphic belly top and capri pants. Clarkson moved through the crowd during the performance, which culminated in the singer getting sprayed with water. By the end of the song, she and a portion of the audience were soaking wet.<ref name="kellyclarkson">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/2ag22g/50s-cannons-kellys-showers-vma-winners-water-walkway-howd-they-do-that|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827102447/https://www.mtv.com/news/2ag22g/50s-cannons-kellys-showers-vma-winners-water-walkway-howd-they-do-that|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 27, 2022|title=50's Cannons, Kelly's Showers, VMA Winners' Water Walkway: How'd They Do That?|last1=Montgomery|first1=James|date=August 29, 2005|work=MTV|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> [[R. Kelly]] performed his rap opera, "[[Trapped in the Closet]]".<ref name="vma2005" />

Animated duo [[Beavis and Butt-head]] appeared in several Viewer's Choice award skits, saying to "Vote to put Beavis and Butt-head back on MTV!".<ref name="press2005">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtvpress.com/vma/2005/ |title=2005 MTV Video Music Awards Winners Release |date=August 29, 2005 |work=MTV Press|access-date=20 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100421073148/http://www.mtvpress.com/vma/2005/ |archive-date=21 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Rather belatedly, the TV show returned to MTV in 2011.

'''2006''': [[Justin Timberlake]] opened the [[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006 Video Music Awards]] performing his singles "[[My Love (Justin Timberlake song)|My Love]]" and "[[SexyBack]]". The awards were distributed evenly widespread all genres, as hip-hop, pop and rock artists alike all won Moonmen. 2006 was also the first time that viewers voted for all the performer's categories (Video of the Year, Best Male Video, Best Group Video, among others, except professional categories).<ref name="vma2006" />

When [[Panic! at the Disco]] won Video of the Year for "[[I Write Sins Not Tragedies]]", a man calling himself Sixx jumped onstage claiming that MTV had denied him his own TV show.<ref name="vma2006" /> Hosted by [[Jack Black]], there were also performances by [[Shakira]] with [[Wyclef Jean]], [[Beyoncé]], [[Christina Aguilera]] and [[The Killers]].

'''2007''': the [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards|2007 Video Music Awards]] was opened by [[Britney Spears]] performing her comeback single "[[Gimme More]]".  To many, Spears failed to live up to the pre-show hype. She wore black sequined lingerie and put in less energy than her previous performances.<ref name="nydaily">{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2007/09/27/2007-09-27_the_bra_turns_100_years_old__with_no_sig.html|title=The bra turns 100 years old – with no signs of sagging|last=Huguenin|first=Patrick|work=[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]|date=September 27, 2007|access-date=19 September 2010|archive-date=June 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611085247/http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2007/09/27/2007-09-27_the_bra_turns_100_years_old__with_no_sig.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="people">{{cite web |last =Orloff|first =Brian|title = Britney Spears's Comeback a Bust at VMAs | work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date = September 9, 2007|url =https://people.com/tv/britney-spearss-comeback-a-bust-at-vmas/ | access-date =January 16, 2023}}</ref> The performance was called "career crippling".<ref name="careercrip">{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/mtv-2010-vmas-worst-ever |title=MTV 2010 VMAs ... Worst Ever? |last1=McKay |first1=Hollie  |date=September 13, 2010 |work=Fox News|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

[[Kid Rock]] and [[Tommy Lee]] were involved in an altercation during [[Alicia Keys]]'s performance. Lee was sitting with magician [[Criss Angel]] when the two went to visit [[Sean Combs|Diddy]], who was sitting close to Kid Rock. Kid Rock allegedly punched Tommy Lee in the face. The two were broken up, and both were escorted from the resort. Angel was removed a short time later.<ref name="fight">{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/tommy-lee-kid-rock-duke-it-out-vmas-wbna20683629 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120918112007/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/20683629/37515497|url-status= dead|archive-date= September 18, 2012|title=Tommy Lee, Kid Rock duke it out at VMAs  |date=September 9, 2007 |work=Today |access-date=19 September 2010}}</ref>

'''2008''': the [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|2008 Video Music Awards]] were opened by [[Britney Spears]] which welcomed everybody to the 25-year anniversary of the Video Music Awards. Barbadian singer [[Rihanna]] opened the show with her song "[[Disturbia (song)|Disturbia]]" in a very revealing black leather outfit. After 16 nominations, [[Britney Spears]] finally won her first VMA, taking Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, and Video of the Year for "[[Piece of Me (Britney Spears song)|Piece of Me]]", considered as Spears' comeback.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

Host [[Russell Brand]] commented on Democratic presidential nominee [[Barack Obama]], begging the audience to vote for him. Brand called President [[George W. Bush]] a "retarded cowboy" and claimed Bush "wouldn't be trusted with a pair of scissors in Britain".<ref name="brand">{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/uselection/article/497159|title=Obama sweeps global poll|last1=Potter|first1=Mith|date=September 11, 2008 |work=TheStar.com |publisher=[[Toronto Star]] |access-date=27 September 2010}}</ref>

Russell Brand also made comments on the [[Jonas Brothers]] for wearing [[purity rings]]. Brand later faced criticism for his swipes at the trio. He confirmed his apology at the [[MTV Video Music Awards 2009]] by saying "I upset the Jonas Brothers last year, I had to say sorry to them and they forgave me. They had to, they're Christians." During her introduction of T.I. and Rihanna's performance, [[Jordin Sparks]], who also wears a purity ring, defended the boy-band by saying "It's not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody, guy or girl, wants to be a slut." Sparks was in turn criticized for implying that those who do not wear purity rings or do not abstain are promiscuous.<ref name="jordin">{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/parents/video-music-awards-spur-promise-ring-debate-wbna26622839|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101006215419/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26622839/ns/today-parenting_and_family|url-status=live|archive-date= October 6, 2010|title=Video Music Awards spur 'promise ring' debate|last1=Celizic |first1=Mike |date=September 9, 2009 |website=Today |access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>[[File:Kanye-West-grabs-the-mic-2009-vma.jpg|thumb|[[Kanye West]] taking the microphone from [[Taylor Swift]] at the ''[[2009 MTV Video Music Awards]]'']]'''2009''': at the [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|2009 Video Music Awards]], singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] won Best Female video for "[[You Belong with Me]]". During her acceptance speech, rapper [[Kanye West]] unexpectedly showed up on stage. Taking the microphone from Swift, he announced "Yo Taylor, I'm really happy for you, and Imma let you finish, but [[Beyoncé]] had one of the best videos of all time. One of the best videos of all time!".<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/sep/14/kanye-west-taylor-swift-vmas|title=Kanye West apologises for interrupting Taylor Swift at VMAs |last1=Swash |first1=Rosie |date=September 14, 2009 |work=The Guardian|access-date=19 September 2010 |location=London}}</ref><ref name="kanye">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/5wq4bn/kanye-west-asked-to-leave-vmas-after-rant-against-taylor-swift|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116123429/https://www.mtv.com/news/5wq4bn/kanye-west-asked-to-leave-vmas-after-rant-against-taylor-swift|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 16, 2023|title=Kanye West Asked To Leave VMAs After Rant Against Taylor Swift |last1=Rodriguez  |first1=Jayson |date=September 13, 2009 |work=MTV|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> MTV cut away from the stage (showing Beyoncé with a shocked and disapproved look) after West gave the microphone back to Swift and giving the middle finger to the audience as they started booing him off stage, and so Swift did not finish her speech. West was removed for the rest of the show. However, when Beyoncé won Video of the Year for "[[Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)]]", she called Swift back on stage to "have her moment" (finishing her speech from winning Best Female Video). In an off-the-record portion of an interview the following day, President [[Barack Obama]] called West a "jackass" for his antics.<ref name="huffington">{{cite news | title=Obama: Kanye Is A "Jackass"|date=September 14, 2009 | url = https://www.huffpost.com/entry/obama-kanye-is-a-jackass_n_286623 | work=[[HuffPost]]| access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> During a post-interview, Jay-Z admitted West was wrong to go on stage, but he thought people were overreacting to the incident.<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/6206748/Jay-Z-defends-Kanye-Wests-MTV-outburst.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090922230838/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/6206748/Jay-Z-defends-Kanye-Wests-MTV-outburst.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= September 22, 2009|title=Jay-Z defends Kanye West's MTV outburst |last1=Willis |first1=Amy |date=September 18, 2009 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|telegraph.co.uk]] Limited |access-date=19 September 2010 |location=London}}</ref>
[[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] opened the show talking about her experiences with [[Michael Jackson]]. After her speech, a Michael Jackson tribute commenced, including [[Janet Jackson]] performing the duet "[[Scream (Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson song)|Scream]]". The show closed with a sneak preview of Michael Jackson's ''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It|This Is It]]'' movie.<ref name="thisisit">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/xknqb6/vmas-kick-off-with-madonna-and-janets-tribute-to-michael-jackson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116125534/https://www.mtv.com/news/xknqb6/vmas-kick-off-with-madonna-and-janets-tribute-to-michael-jackson|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 16, 2023|title=VMAs Kick Off With Madonna And Janet's Tribute To Michael Jackson |last1=Kaufman |first1=Gil |date=September 13, 2009 |work=MTV|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

At the show's red carpet, Colombian singer [[Shakira]] and American singer [[Pink (singer)|Pink]] attended with the same dress. Both singers took it humorously and posed together for the paparazzi.

[[Lady Gaga]] later performed her song "[[Paparazzi (Lady Gaga song)|Paparazzi]]" and shocked the audience when she appeared to bleed out on stage. It was actually a contraption in her outfit.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.mtv.com/news/6c2j7m/lady-gaga-lets-it-bleed-during-eye-popping-vma-performance| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928173254/https://www.mtv.com/news/6c2j7m/lady-gaga-lets-it-bleed-during-eye-popping-vma-performance| url-status=dead| archive-date=September 28, 2022| work=MTV|  title=Lady Gaga Lets It Bleed During Eye-Popping VMA Performance | first=Gil | last=Kaufman | date=September 13, 2009 | access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> [[Beyoncé]] performed her song "[[Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)]]" with over two dozen female dancers dancing with her.<ref name="vma2009"/> [[Pink (singer)|Pink]] performed her single "[[Sober (Pink song)|Sober]]" while doing a trapeze act during the entire performance while singing live.

Rapper [[Lil Mama]] jumped on stage as [[Jay-Z]] and [[Alicia Keys]] performed "[[Empire State of Mind]]".<ref name="lilmama">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/3ro9vz/lil-mama-crashes-jay-z-and-alicia-keys-vma-performance|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003223201/https://www.mtv.com/news/3ro9vz/lil-mama-crashes-jay-z-and-alicia-keys-vma-performance|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 3, 2022|title=Lil Mama Crashes Jay-Z And Alicia Keys' VMA Performance |last1= Reid  |first1=Shaheem   |date=September 14, 2009 |work=MTV|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> Lil Mama later apologized.<ref name="hellobeautiful">{{cite web |url= http://hellobeautiful.com/your-world/lil-mama-pulls-a-kanye/|title=UPDATE: Jay-Z Compares Lil Mama To Kanye (AUDIO) |last1=Bennett |first1= Deborah  |date=September 29, 2009 |work=HelloBeautiful.com |publisher=[[Radio One (company)|Radio One]] |access-date=19 September 2010}}</ref> During an interview with New York Radio DJ [[Angie Martinez]], Jay-Z said that he thought the unrehearsed move was something similar to the West and Swift incident.<ref name="hellobeautiful" />

Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and [[Green Day]] were the big winners of the night, with three awards each.<ref name="vma2009"/>

===2010s===
[[File:2013-mtv-vmas-kaws-moonman.jpg|thumb|The standing inflatable KAWS moonman at the [[2013 MTV Video Music Awards]]]]
[[File:2015-mtv-vmas-jeremy-scott-moonman.jpg|thumb|The redesigned moon man by Jeremy Scott at the [[2015 MTV Video Music Awards]]]]
'''2010:''' at the [[2010 MTV Video Music Awards]], Taylor Swift performed her song "[[Innocent (Taylor Swift song)|Innocent]]", while Kanye West performed "Runaway" with [[Pusha T]] giving a stellar performance on the [[MPC2000]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/oos28v/taylor-swift-kanye-west-have-critics-debating-vmas-again|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116131037/https://www.mtv.com/news/oos28v/taylor-swift-kanye-west-have-critics-debating-vmas-again|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 16, 2023|title=Taylor Swift, Kanye West Have Critics Debating VMAs Again|last1=Cantor|first1=Paul |date=September 13, 2010 |work=MTV |access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> [[Eminem]], who performed at the show, did not receive his awards in person, as he had to leave immediately to perform with [[Jay Z]] at [[The Home & Home Tour]] in New York City the next day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Eminem Wins Best Male Artist and Best Hip-Hop Video at VMAs|url=http://theboombox.com/eminem-wins-best-male-artist-best-hip-hop-video-vmas/|website=theboombox|date=September 12, 2010|access-date=August 30, 2015}}</ref> Additionally, [[will.i.am]]'s "[[blackface]]" outfit sparked controversy among African-Americans.<ref name="blackface">{{cite web |url= https://www.mtv.com/news/spciy2/william-responds-to-vma-blackface-criticism|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230116131038/https://www.mtv.com/news/spciy2/william-responds-to-vma-blackface-criticism|url-status= dead|archive-date= January 16, 2023|title=Will.I.Am Responds To VMA 'Blackface' Criticism|last1=Ziegbe|first1=Mawuse |date=September 13, 2010 |work=MTV|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> [[Florence and the Machine|Florence + the Machine]] performed "[[Dog Days Are Over]]".<ref>{{cite web|title=2010 MTV Music Video Awards {{!}} Highlights, Winners, Performers, and Photos from the 2010 MTV VMAs |url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2010/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721234616/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2010/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 21, 2010 |website=MTV|access-date=February 22, 2015}} </ref>

[[Lady Gaga]] won eight awards, including Video of the Year, Best Female Video, and Best Pop Video for "[[Bad Romance]]"; she also won Best Collaboration for "[[Telephone (song)|Telephone]]" with [[Beyoncé]]. Upon accepting her Video of the Year award, Gaga wore a [[Lady Gaga's meat dress|dress made entirely of raw meat]], which drew criticism from [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.mtv.com/news/jlixab/lady-gaga-meat-dress-draws-criticism-from-peta|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220813205820/https://www.mtv.com/news/jlixab/lady-gaga-meat-dress-draws-criticism-from-peta|url-status= dead|archive-date= August 13, 2022|title=Lady Gaga Meat Dress Draws Criticism From PETA |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |website=MTV| date=September 13, 2010 |access-date =January 16, 2023}}</ref> While accepting her Video of the Year award, [[Lady Gaga]] announced the title of her next album, [[Born This Way (album)|Born This Way]], and sang the chorus of its title track and lead single. [[Justin Bieber]] won Best New Artist, making him the second youngest Canada-born artist to ever win a VMA (first being Avril Lavigne in 2002).<ref name="beiber">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/qs3552/justin-bieber-wins-best-new-artist-vma|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925172701/https://www.mtv.com/news/qs3552/justin-bieber-wins-best-new-artist-vma|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 25, 2022|title=Justin Bieber Wins Best New Artist VMA |last=Ziegbe |first=Mawuse |date=September 12, 2010 |work=MTV|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

Overall, the show grabbed 11.4 million viewers—the largest audience for an MTV Video Music Awards since [[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|2002]], and until [[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|2011]]'s new record.<ref name="largest">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/h7c11k/2010-vmas-nab-mtvs-biggest-ratings-since-2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116131035/https://www.mtv.com/news/h7c11k/2010-vmas-nab-mtvs-biggest-ratings-since-2002 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |title=2010 VMAs Nab MTV's Biggest Ratings Since 2002 |last=Carter |first=Kelley L. |date=September 13, 2010 |work=MTV|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

'''2011''': the [[2011 MTV Video Music Awards]] returned to the [[Microsoft Theater|Nokia Theatre]] in Los Angeles, California. In the entire history of the show, this was the third time no host was scheduled, although [[Kevin Hart (actor)|Kevin Hart]], who would receive the position a year later, delivered an opening monologue.

[[Lady Gaga]] opened the show dressed as her alter ego [[Joe Calderone]], delivering a monologue and then performing her single "[[You and I (Lady Gaga song)|You and I]]" from her album [[Born This Way (album)|Born This Way]]. She was joined on stage by [[Queen band]] member and guitarist [[Brian May]].

The tribute to [[Britney Spears]] included performances by young talents, who danced to various hit singles by Spears including "[[...Baby One More Time]]" and "[[Till the World Ends]]". After the tribute, [[Lady Gaga]] went onstage to present Spears the [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]].<ref>[http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/awards/58656/buzziest-moments-from-the-2011-video-music-awards/ Buzziest Moments From The 2011 Video Music Awards]. Yahoo! News. Retrieved 28 August 2011. 30 August 2011.</ref> While accepting her award she and Gaga (dressed as her alter ego Joe Calderone) teased a kiss. Spears rejected the exchange saying, "I've done that already", referring to her liplock with Madonna at the 2003 show.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/28/mtv.vma.awards/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018005826/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/28/mtv.vma.awards/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |title=Ladies night at the 2011 VMAs |last=Goodman |first=Abbey |publisher = CNN|date=August 28, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref>

During [[Kanye West]] and [[Jay Z]]'s surprise performance of "[[Otis (song)|Otis]]", a man attempted to rush the stage but was quickly taken off by security.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/y3uzn0/jay-z-and-kanye-west-bring-otis-to-vma-stage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116125535/https://www.mtv.com/news/y3uzn0/jay-z-and-kanye-west-bring-otis-to-vma-stage |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |title=Jay-Z And Kanye West Bring 'Otis' To VMA Stage |work = MTV|date=August 28, 2011 |access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

[[Katy Perry]] and [[Kanye West]] won the Award for Best Video for a Collaborative Single. As they went onstage to receive the award, Perry made a reference to West's incident with [[Taylor Swift]] two years back. This was the first award Perry won in four years of being nominated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1669855/katy-perry-kanye-west-best-collaboration-vma-win/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120062310/http://www.mtv.com/news/1669855/katy-perry-kanye-west-best-collaboration-vma-win/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 20, 2014 |title=Katy Perry, Kanye West Share Best Collaboration VMA |publisher=MTV News |date=August 28, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref>

Prior to her performance, [[Beyoncé]] announced on the red carpet that she and husband/rapper [[Jay Z]] were expecting a child. Straight after Beyoncé finished performing her song "[[Love on Top]]", she also revealed again that she was pregnant by showing off her baby bump and rubbing it. That evening, Beyoncé set the record for the most mentions on [[Twitter]] per second (with 8,868) and helped this year's VMAs become the most-watched broadcast in MTV history, pulling in 12.4 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.mtv.com/news/w8oifm/beyonce-pregnant-vmas-love-on-top-album-sales-surge |title=Beyoncé's Album Sees Sales Surge After VMA Performance Of 'Love On Top' |publisher=MTV |date=2011-08-30 |access-date=2023-01-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927020025/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/30/beyonce-pregnant-vmas-love-on-top-album-sales-surge/?xrs=share_twitter |archive-date=2011-09-27 }}</ref>

A tribute to late singer [[Amy Winehouse]] also took place; [[Russell Brand]] delivered a monologue on his thoughts on her, after which [[Tony Bennett]] previewed his collaboration with her for his album ''[[Duets II (Tony Bennett album)|Duets II]]''. Afterwards, [[Bruno Mars]] performed "[[Valerie (The Zutons song)|Valerie]]" in her honor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1669867/bruno-mars-amy-winehouse-tribute-vmas/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701233105/http://www.mtv.com/news/1669867/bruno-mars-amy-winehouse-tribute-vmas/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 1, 2015|title=Bruno Mars, Russell Brand Pay Tribute To Amy Winehouse At VMAs |publisher=MTV |date=August 29, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref>

Katy Perry won three awards including Video of the Year for "[[Firework (song)|Firework]]", and Lady Gaga won two awards, including the new category Best Video With a Message for "[[Born This Way (song)|Born This Way]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vmas-2011-award-winners-l_n_939958 |title=VMAs 2011: Award Winners List |work=HuffPost|date=August 28, 2011 |access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

'''2012''': The [[2012 MTV Video Music Awards]] aired live from the [[Staples Center]] in Los Angeles, California on September 6, 2012. British boy band [[One Direction]] was the big winner of the night receiving Best New Artist, Best Pop Video, and Most Share Worthy Video. [[Rihanna]] won the Video of the Year Award for "[[We Found Love]]".

'''2013''': For the [[2013 MTV Video Music Awards]], MTV redesigned its moonman statue<ref>{{cite web|last=Montgomery|first=James|title=Note to Miley Cyrus|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1710109/vma-moonman-2013-kaws/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502072510/http://www.mtv.com/news/1710109/vma-moonman-2013-kaws/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 2, 2014|publisher=MTV|date=July 8, 2013|access-date=April 19, 2015}}</ref> for one year only due to the ceremony's being held in [[Brooklyn]] for the first time. Brooklyn-based artist [[KAWS (artist)|KAWS]] used [[Michelin Man]] as inspiration to redesign the image of the renowned [[MTV]] moonman. [[Barclays Center]], which served as the venue for the [[2013 MTV Video Music Awards|2013 show]], was decorated also by KAWS, themed around the redesigned moonman. The 2013 VMAs also marked the fourth time in the award show's history that a host had not been appointed for the annual event.<ref>{{cite news|last=Starr|first=Michael|title=MTV: No host for this year's Video Music Awards|url=https://nypost.com/2013/08/16/mtv-no-host-for-this-years-video-music-awards/|publisher=New York Post|date=August 16, 2013|access-date=April 19, 2015}}</ref> [[Lady Gaga]] opened the ceremony, performing her single "[[Applause (Lady Gaga song)|Applause]]". During the performance, Gaga changed three times on stage and gave a tribute to her past eras (''[[The Fame]]'', ''[[The Fame Monster]]'' and ''[[Born This Way (album)|Born This Way]]''). At the end, Gaga came on stage wearing nothing but a seashell bikini.

[[Miley Cyrus]]' performance of her song "[[We Can't Stop]]" featured the former Disney star entering the stage through a giant teddy bear wearing a one-piece bodice with a teddy bear design on it. The singer performed with a group of female backup dancers dressed as giant bears before singer [[Robin Thicke]] joins with Cyrus on stage to perform his single "[[Blurred Lines]]". Cyrus then stripped down to a nude-colored lingerie and proceeded to perform her signature [[twerking]] dance moves, simulating sex with Thicke and grabbing his crotch with a giant foam finger.<ref>{{cite web|title=Miley Cyrus & Robin Thicke at the 2013 VMA's Performance| website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1WDEfJBZXg| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826202913/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1WDEfJBZXg| archive-date=2013-08-26 | url-status=dead|access-date=August 26, 2013}}</ref> The unimpressed reactions of several celebrity audience members, including [[Rihanna]] and members of [[One Direction]], also gained attention in the media.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Halpern|first=Shirley|title= Note to Miley Cyrus: Please Stop; Plus Other VMAs Ruminations|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/note-miley-cyrus-please-stop-614407/|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

[[Justin Timberlake]]'s "[[Mirrors (Justin Timberlake song)|Mirrors]]" won Video of the Year, making him the first male solo artist to win this category since Eminem in 2002 with "Without Me". Timberlake also became the second artist to be honored with the [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award|Video Vanguard Award]] and win Video of the Year in the same night, after [[Peter Gabriel]] did it in 1987. To celebrate his Video Vanguard Award, Timberlake performed a 15-minute medley performance, which included a mini-reunion with his former band [[*NSYNC]].<ref>{{cite web |title=*NSYNC VMA Performance: Justin Timberlake's Boy Band Reunites For MTV Onstage Reunion |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nsync-vma-performance-justin-timberlake-reunites-reunion_n_3791889 |website=HuffPost |access-date=January 16, 2023 |date=August 26, 2013}}</ref> The set list of the most watched performance of the night<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tv-ratings-mtv-vmas-up-614095/|title=TV Ratings: MTV VMAs Up 66 Percent Due to Justin Timberlake, 'N Sync Reunion|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 26, 2013|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> included hit singles from his first four solo albums, such as "[[Cry Me a River (Justin Timberlake song)|Cry Me a River]]", "[[SexyBack]]" and "[[Suit & Tie]]".

'''2014''': the [[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|2014 show]] was held at [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] in [[Inglewood, California]]. [[Miley Cyrus]] won Video of the Year for "[[Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus song)|Wrecking Ball]]" and got a young homeless man named Jesse to accept the award on her behalf. His speech was a call-to-action to help raise awareness to the homeless youth of America.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/miley-cyrus-sends-homeless-youth-to-accept-vma-video-of-the-year-51675/|title=Miley Cyrus Sends Homeless Youth to Accept VMA Video of the Year|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|last2=Grow|first2=Kory|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 24, 2014|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> [[Ariana Grande]], [[Nicki Minaj]] and [[Jessie J]] opened the show.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/nicki-minaj-brings-wardrobe-malfunction-ditches-snake-for-2014-vmas-53298/|title=Nicki Minaj Brings Wardrobe Malfunction, Ditches Snake for 2014 VMAs|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 24, 2014|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> [[Beyoncé]] closed the show by performing a 16-minute medley of songs from her [[Beyoncé (album)|self-titled fifth studio album]]. After the performance, her husband [[Jay Z]] and daughter Blue Ivy presented the [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award|Video Vanguard Award]] to her.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220809170825/https://www.mtv.com/news/c96233/beyonce-2014-vma-perfomance Beyoncé's 2014 VMA Performance: Fearless, Feminist, Flawless, Family Time] MTV, Retrieved January 16, 2023</ref>

'''2015''': the [[2015 MTV Video Music Awards|2015 show]] was hosted by [[Miley Cyrus]]. Fashion designer [[Jeremy Scott]] redesigned the year's "moonman", marking the second time that the statue had been transformed.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lindner|first=Emilee|title=Jeremy Scott Redesigned The VMA Moonman, And It's Totally Rad|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/er35w7/jeremy-scott-moonman-2015-vmas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927023957/https://www.mtv.com/news/er35w7/jeremy-scott-moonman-2015-vmas|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2022|website=MTV|date=August 17, 2015|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> [[Taylor Swift]] won four awards, including Video of the Year for "Bad Blood".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/aug/31/vmas-2015-full-list-of-winners-at-mtv-video-music-awards |title=VMAs 2015: full list of winners at MTV video music awards|date=August 31, 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=August 31, 2015}}</ref> She presented the Video Vanguard Award to [[Kanye West]], who ended his acceptance speech by claiming that [[Kanye West 2020 presidential campaign|he would run for president in 2020]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Stone|first=Natalie|title=Kanye West: "I Have Decided in 2020 to Run for President"|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/mtv-vmas-2015-kanye-west-818595/|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 30, 2015|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

Nicki Minaj ended her acceptance speech for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video|Best Hip-Hop Video]] by passing the show back to Cyrus, saying: "And now, back to this bitch who had a lot to say about me the other day in the press: Miley, What's good?".<ref name="blast">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-nicki-minaj-blast-miley-cyrus-during-vma-acceptance-speech-43289/|title=Watch Nicki Minaj Blast Miley Cyrus During VMA Acceptance Speech|last=Blistein|first=Jon|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 30, 2015|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> Minaj was referring to Cyrus' comments about how she handled "[[Anaconda (Nicki Minaj song)|Anaconda]]" being snubbed for a Video of the Year nomination. Cyrus appeared stunned by Minaj's remarks and replied, "We're all in this industry. We all do interviews and we all know how they manipulate shit. Nicki, congratu-fuckin-lations."<ref name="blast"/> The camera then cut back to Minaj who seemed to mouth back the word "bitch".<ref name="blast"/> Cyrus closed the show by performing along with a group of [[List of RuPaul's Drag Race contestants|drag queens who participated on ''RuPaul's Drag Race'']] and surprisingly released her fifth studio album ''[[Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz]]'' for free.<ref>{{cite web|last=Adams|first=Char|title=Miley Cyrus Closes Out MTV VMAs with Drag Queen-Packed Performance and New, Free Album|url=http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20946992_20949121,00.html|website=People|date=August 31, 2015|access-date=August 31, 2015}}</ref>

'''2016''': the [[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|2016 show]] was held at the [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[Manhattan]]. [[Rihanna]] performed four times during the show, including opening and closing the ceremony. After her final performance, Rihanna was presented the Video Vanguard Award by [[Drake (musician)|Drake]], who declared, "She's someone I've been in love with since I was 22 years old."<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/video/drake-presents-rihanna-with-the-2016-video-vanguard-awards-at-the-vmas-7487960/ | title=Drake Presents Rihanna With the Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 VMAs | magazine=Billboard | date=August 29, 2016 | access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> While accepting her award, Drake leaned in for a kiss that Rihanna dodged.<ref name="demolished">{{cite magazine|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/how-beyonce-demolished-the-2016-video-music-awards-middle-fingers-up-248053/|title=How Beyonce Demolished the 2016 Video Music Awards: Middle Fingers Up|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 29, 2016|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> [[Britney Spears]] returned to perform at the VMAs for the first time since her heavily criticized performance at the 2007 show.<ref name="demolished"/> [[Kanye West]] gave a seven-minute long speech covering different topics, including his feud with [[Taylor Swift]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-full-vma-2016-speech-7487943/|title=Read Kanye West's Full VMAs 2016 Speech|magazine=Billboard|date=August 28, 2016|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

[[Beyoncé]] performed a 16-minute medley of her album ''[[Lemonade (Beyoncé album)|Lemonade]]'' and won eight awards, including Video of the Year for "[[Formation (song)|Formation]]".<ref name="demolished"/><ref name="passes"/> She became the most awarded artist in VMA history with 24 moonmen, surpassing Madonna's previous record of 20.<ref name="passes">{{cite magazine | url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/beyonce-passes-madonna-most-vmas-ever-040532142.html|title=Beyonce Passes Madonna With the Most VMAs Ever|magazine=Billboard|date=29 August 2016|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> The telecast saw a drop in audience for third year in a row.<ref>{{cite magazine | url= https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mtv-vmas-ratings-drop-65-million-viewers-across-nets-7488058/ | title=MTV VMAs Ratings Drop Again, Draw 6.5 Million Viewers Across Nets | magazine=Billboard | date=August 29, 2016 | access-date=January 16, 2023| author=O'Conell, Michael}}</ref>

'''2017''': the [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017 show]] was hosted by [[Katy Perry]]. [[Kendrick Lamar]] won six awards, including Video of the Year for "[[Humble (song)|Humble]]", becoming the first artist to have won the award for a video he co-directed, while [[Pink (singer)|Pink]] was honored with the Video Vanguard Award.<ref name="2017 vmas">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtvpress.com/press-releases/2017/08/28/2017-vma-winners-and-performances|date=August 27, 2017|access-date=August 27, 2017|title=2017 "VMA" Winners and Performances}}</ref> [[Jared Leto]] paid tribute to [[Chester Bennington]] and [[Chris Cornell]], who both died over the past three months.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Payne|first1=Chris|title=Jared Leto Pays Tribute to Chris Cornell & Linkin Park's Chester Bennington at 2017 MTV VMAs|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jared-leto-tribute-chris-cornell-chester-bennington-2017-mtv-vmas-7942174/|access-date=January 16, 2023|magazine=Billboard|date=August 28, 2017}}</ref> The music video for [[Taylor Swift]]'s song "[[Look What You Made Me Do]]" premiered during the broadcast.<ref name="2017 vmas"/> Compared to the previous year, viewership was down from 6.5 million to 5.4 million viewers, making it the lowest viewed VMAs since [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen]] started measuring the show in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/08/2017-mtv-video-music-awards-lowest-ratings-ever|title=The 2017 VMAs Drew Lowest Ratings in MTV History|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=2017-08-31}}</ref>

At the start of [[Fifth Harmony]]'s performance there were five silhouettes; one of them fell off the stage, referencing former group member [[Camila Cabello]] leaving the group the previous year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a12119297/fifth-harmony-vmas-camila-cabello-thrown-off-why/|title=This Is Why Fifth Harmony Had a Fake Camila Thrown Off the Stage at the VMAs|first=Peggy|last=Truong|date=August 29, 2017|website=Cosmopolitan}}</ref>

[[Logic (rapper)|Logic]] performed his song "[[1-800-273-8255 (song)|1-800-273-8255]]" along with [[Alessia Cara]] and [[Khalid (American singer)|Khalid]]. Their stage was outlined with survivors of suicide loss and attempts, who wore T-shirts that had the phone number on the front and the phrase "You Are Not Alone" written on the back. During their performance, Logic gave a speech about thanking the audience for giving him a platform to talk about the issues "that mainstream media doesn't want to talk about: mental health, anxiety, suicide, depression".<ref name="logic">{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/logic-kesha-vmas-suicide-prevention-hotline-calls-7942341/ |title=Logic's VMAs Performance, Kesha's Speech Boost Suicide Prevention Hotline Calls 50% |last=Holterman|first=Alex|magazine=Billboard|date=August 28, 2017|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> He further added, "I don't give a damn if you're black, white, or any color in between. I don't care if you're Christian, you're Muslim, you're gay, you're straight – I am here to fight for your equality, because I believe that we are all born equal, but we are not treated equally and that is why we must fight."<ref name="logic"/> Following the performance, the [[National Suicide Prevention Lifeline]] experienced a 50% increase in calls.<ref name="logic"/>

'''2018''': [[Cardi B]], the most nominated artist of the night, opened the [[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018 show]] with a brief speech, holding a VMA like a baby.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/music/2018/08/20/cardi-b-mtv-vmas-surprise-reveal/|title=Cardi B opens MTV VMAs with surprise reveal|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref> While receiving one of her awards, Cardi B stated, "all the love.. it's genuine, it's beautiful, and that's something that God give me that you can't buy. B-tch."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.mtv.com/news/40ifuo/cardi-b-best-new-artist-vmas-2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221204075901/https://www.mtv.com/news/40ifuo/cardi-b-best-new-artist-vmas-2018|url-status= dead|archive-date= December 4, 2022|title=Cardi B Blasts The Haters While Accepting The VMA|work=MTV|date=August 21, 2018|first= Madeline|last=Roth|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> [[Camila Cabello]] won Video of the Year for "[[Havana (Camila Cabello song)|Havana]]" and [[Jennifer Lopez]] received the Vanguard Award.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2018-vmas-winners-see-complete-list-1135082/ |title=VMAs: Winners List  |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=August 20, 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=August 20, 2018}}</ref> With [[Maluma (singer)|Maluma]] among the performers as well, it marked the VMAs with the most Latin music artists present at the ceremony since the 2005 show.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/maluma-cardi-b-jennifer-lopez-camila-cabello-latin-music-vmas-8471548/ |title=Maluma, Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez & Camila Cabello (Finally) Put Latin Music Center Stage at VMAs|magazine=Billboard|first=Leila|last=Cobo|date=August 21, 2018|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

Before introducing Cabello's category, [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] gave a tribute to the late [[Aretha Franklin]]. Most of the speech said the early origins of Madonna's career and was only tangentially Franklin-related,<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/madonna-vmas-aretha-franklin-speech-mtv-fault-8471460/ |title=Madonna's VMAs Speech Was Tone-Deaf, But the Real Mistake Was MTV's |date=August 21, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> which made critics describe the "bizarre" tribute as a "lengthy" anecdote about herself that involved Franklin's music.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/awards/2018/08/21/madonna-aretha-franklin-tribute-vmas/ |title=Madonna's Aretha Franklin tribute at the VMAs is all about… Madonna |date=August 21, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/vmas-2018-madonna-tribute-aretha-franklin-713594/ |title=VMAs 2018: See Madonna's Bizarre Aretha Franklin Tribute |date=August 21, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/08/21/beyond-disrespectful-at-vmas-madonna-gets-backlash-after-bizarre-aretha-franklin-tribute/ |title='Beyond disrespectful': At VMAs, Madonna gets backlash after bizarre Aretha Franklin tribute |date=August 21, 2018 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref> Afterwards, Madonna explained that she was there to give the Video of the Year award as asked by MTV and to speak about some experience in her career with some connection with Aretha, not to make any kind of tribute.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/aug/22/madonna-responds-to-aretha-franklin-mtv-vma-tribute-criticism |title='I love Aretha!' Madonna responds to critics of her VMA tribute |last=Beaumont-Thomas |first=Ben |date=August 22, 2018 |work=The Guardian |access-date=August 22, 2018}}</ref>

The viewership of the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards was down 9% overall and 15% in the important 18- to 49-year-old demographic group. The total viewership was 4.8 million.<ref name="2018 ratings">{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Matt |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/video-music-awards-hit-all-time-ratings-low-mtv-1136472/ |title=TV Ratings: Video Music Awards Hit All-Time Low on MTV |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 21, 2018 |access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>

'''2019''': the [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019 show]] was held at the [[Prudential Center]] in [[Newark, New Jersey]]. This was the first time the VMAs took place at the venue and in the state of [[New Jersey]] (it became the fifth state to host the show after [[New York (state)|New York]], [[California]], [[Florida]] and [[Nevada]]).

The show was hosted by [[Sebastian Maniscalco]]. [[Taylor Swift]] won three awards, including Video of the Year for "[[You Need to Calm Down]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8528388/2019-mtv-vmas-winners-list|title=Here Are All the Winners From the 2019 MTV VMAs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-10-26}}</ref> She became the second artist and first female artist to have won the award for a video she co-directed, and the fourth artist to win the category twice overall.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8528396/12-records-2019-vma-awards|title=12 Records That Were Set at the 2019 VMAs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-10-26}}</ref> [[Lil Nas X]] and [[Billy Ray Cyrus]]'s "[[Old Town Road]]" won two awards, including Song of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-08-27|title=Lil Nas X Is First LGBTQ+ Musician to Win 'Song of the Year' at VMAs|url=https://www.out.com/celebs/2019/8/27/lil-nas-x-first-lgbtq-musician-win-song-year-vmas|access-date=2020-06-30|website=out.com|language=en}}</ref> [[Missy Elliott]] received the Vanguard Award introduced by [[Cardi B]] and performed a medley. The performance was heavily choreographed and the set pieces alluded to her music videos "[[The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)]]", "[[Get Ur Freak On]]", and "[[Work It (Missy Elliott song)|Work It]]".<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|last=Weingarten|first=Christopher R.|date=2019-08-27|title=MTV Video Music Awards: 6 Memorable Moments|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/27/arts/music/vma-performances-winners.html|access-date=2020-06-11|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/mtv-vmas-2019-12-best-worst-wtf-moments-876950/best-taylor-swift-lover-876954/|title=MTV VMAs 2019: 12 Best, Worst, WTF Moments|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 27, 2019 }}</ref> [[Shawn Mendes]] & [[Camila Cabello]] performed their hit single "[[Señorita (Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello song)|Señorita]]" for the first time ever in a performance characterized for its kissing tension. [[Lizzo]] performed a set featuring her singles, "[[Truth Hurts (song)|Truth Hurts]]" and "[[Good as Hell]]". During the performance she gave a short self-empowering monologue, and featured a figurative shadow of an oversized CGI rear end.<ref>{{Cite web|title=10 Things You Might As Well Know About The 2019 VMAs|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/08/27/754587074/10-things-you-might-as-well-know-about-the-2019-vmas|access-date=2020-06-11|website=NPR.org|date=August 27, 2019 |language=en|last1=Thompson |first1=Stephen }}</ref><ref name="auto"/> [[Normani]] gave a performance of her song "[[Motivation (Normani song)|Motivation]]",<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bowenbank|first=Starr|date=2020-07-28|title=Normani Opened Up About Struggling With Insecurities During Her Childhood|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a33447438/normani-opened-childhood-insecurities-personal-essay/|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Cosmopolitan|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=MTV VMAs 2019: All the best moments from pop music's biggest night|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/music/mtv-vmas-2019-all-best-moments-pop-music-s-big-n1046701|access-date=2020-07-28|website=NBC News|date=August 27, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> that featured her doing intense gymnastic styled choreography that echoed the music video.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-08-27|title=Taylor Swift takes top prize at MTV VMAs|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49480080|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-29|title=Governor Cuomo says MTV VMAs will still happen in August|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/alist/new-york-governor-andrew-cuomo-announces-mtv-vmas-still-happening-in-brooklyn-this-year-a4483751.html|access-date=2020-06-30|website=Evening Standard|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Missed the 2019 VMAs? Here are the only moments you need to see|website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=August 27, 2019 |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-08-27/mtv-vmas-must-see-moments-missy-elliott-normani|access-date=2020-07-28}}</ref> [[Rosalía (singer)|Rosalía]] became the first lead Spanish act to ever perform at the VMAs, performing a medley of "[[A ningún hombre|A Ningún Hombre]]", "[[Yo x Ti, Tu x Mi]]" (alongside [[Ozuna (singer)|Ozuna]]), and "[[Aute Cuture]]".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-08-27|title=Rosalía hace de nuevo historia en los Premios MTV 2019|url=https://www.instyle.es/moda/celebrities/rosalia-hace-nuevo-historia-premios-mtv-2019_45096|access-date=2021-07-15|website=InStyle|language=es|archive-date=July 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715235652/https://www.instyle.es/moda/celebrities/rosalia-hace-nuevo-historia-premios-mtv-2019_45096|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Rosalia and Ozuna Heat Up the MTV VMAs Stage With 'Yo X Ti, Tu X Mi' Performance: Watch|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8528405/rosalia-ozuna-performance-2019-mtv-vmas-video|access-date=2021-07-15|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}</ref> She also won [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Latin|Best Latin]] and [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]] for "[[Con Altura]]", becoming the first ever Spanish act to win a VMA, for which she was congratulated by many personalities including [[Prime Minister of Spain|Prime Minister]] [[Pedro Sánchez]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-08-27|title=Pedro Sánchez felicita a Rosalía, primera española en ganar un MTV Video Music Award|url=https://www.abc.es/cultura/musica/abci-pedro-sanchez-felicita-rosalia-primera-espanola-ganar-video-music-award-201908271259_noticia.html|access-date=2021-07-15|website=abc|language=es}}</ref>

[[Marc Jacobs]] received the inaugural MTV Fashion Trailblazer Award.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Marc Jacobs to Receive Inaugural MTV Fashion Trailblazer Award at 2019 VMAs|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8524865/marc-jacobs-mtv-fashion-trailblazer-award-2019-vmas|access-date=2020-10-11|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}</ref>

===2020s===
'''2020''': The [[2020 MTV Video Music Awards]] were held on August 30, 2020. The show was originally scheduled to take place at the [[Barclays Center]] in [[Brooklyn, New York City]], but was moved outdoors because of security concerns caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=August 8, 2020|title=MTV VMAs 2020 Exit Barclays Center, Will Take Place at Outdoor NYC Locations|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/mtv-vmas-2020-barclays-center-exit-outdoor-nyc-locations-1041484/|access-date=August 29, 2020|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> Instead, the 37th annual ceremony would "highlight the boroughs in an exciting show and return to Barclays Center in 2021".<ref>{{cite web|last=Haring|first=Bruce|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/mtv-video-music-awards-opt-out-barclays-center-event-1203007888/|title=MTV Video Music Awards Opt Out Of Indoor Event At Barclays Center After Health Warnings|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=August 7, 2020|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> For the first time in its history the VMAs were simulcast on over-the-air television on [[The CW]], which is jointly owned by MTV parent company [[ViacomCBS]] and [[AT&T]] parent company [[WarnerMedia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/mtv-2020-vmas-video-music-awards-simulcast-the-cw-1203020370/|title=MTV's 2020 Video Music Awards To Simulcast On the CW|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=August 22, 2020|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822130503/https://deadline.com/2020/08/mtv-2020-vmas-video-music-awards-simulcast-the-cw-1203020370/|archive-date=August 22, 2020|access-date=August 24, 2020}}</ref>

[[Keke Palmer]] hosted the show from a VR model of the infamous Manhattan staple, [[Empire State Building]]. [[The Weeknd]] won Video of the Year for "[[Blinding Lights]]", which he also performed as the show's opener. During his speech he showed support for the [[Black Lives Matter]] movement and demanded justice for [[Shooting of Breonna Taylor|Breonna Taylor]] and [[Shooting of Jacob Blake|Jacob Blake]].

[[Lady Gaga]] received the first-ever (and only thus far as of 2024) Tricon Award, introduced by [[Bella Hadid]]. After giving her speech, Gaga performed a medley of her songs, including "[[911 (Lady Gaga song)#"Chromatica II"|Chromatica II]]"/"[[911 (Lady Gaga song)|911]]", "[[Stupid Love (Lady Gaga song)|Stupid Love]]" and "[[Rain on Me (Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande song)|Rain on Me]]", the latter performed with [[Ariana Grande]]. Grande also won four awards, including Song of the Year and Best Collaboration.

The show was dedicated to actor [[Chadwick Boseman]], who died less than 48 hours before the ceremony due to colon cancer.

[[File:Kehinde-wiley-mtv-vmas-2021-trophy.png|upright|thumb|The redesigned moonperson trophy by Kehinde Wiley at the [[2021 MTV Video Music Awards]]]]

'''2021''': The [[2021 MTV Video Music Awards]] were held September 12, 2021, at the [[Barclays Center]] in [[Brooklyn, New York City]], for the first time in eight years.<ref name="billboard vmas">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9583962/2021-mtv-video-music-awards-date/|title=2021 MTV Video Music Awards Will Return to New York City: Here's the Date|last=Grein|first=Paul|date=June 8, 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=July 26, 2021}}</ref> The award show also served as a celebration of MTV's 40th anniversary. An opening monologue was delivered by [[Madonna]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/madonna-2021-mtv-vmas-1224291/|title= Madonna Brought the Leather-Clad Nostalgia to 2021 MTV VMAs – Rolling Stone |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] |date= September 13, 2021 |access-date=September 14, 2021}}</ref> Artist [[Kehinde Wiley]] redesigned the year's moonperson trophy, marking the third time that the statue had been transformed and the first from an artist of African-American descent.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bloom|first=Madison|date=August 1, 2021|title=Kehinde Wiley Designs New MTV VMAs Moon Person Trophy|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kehinde-wiley-designs-new-mtv-moon-person-trophy/|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref><ref name="moonman redesign">{{cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=August 1, 2021|title=MTV Reveals New Moon Person Statue to Mark 40th Anniversary|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/mtv-new-moon-person-statue-40th-anniversary-kehinde-wiley-1205741/|access-date=August 11, 2021|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref>

[[Lil Nas X]] won three awards for "[[Montero (Call Me By Your Name)]]", including Video of the Year and Best Direction. He became the second artist and first LGBTQ+ artist to win both categories for a video they co-directed. He jokingly thanked the [[gay agenda]] in his acceptance speech.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-09-12/lil-nas-x-wins-video-of-the-year-at-the-2021-mtv-vmas-thank-you-to-the-gay-agenda |date=September 12, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |title=Lil Nas X wins video of the year at the 2021 MTV VMAs: 'Thank you to the gay agenda!' |last=Exposito |first=Suzy }}</ref>

[[Olivia Rodrigo]] and [[Justin Bieber]] also received awards in big categories, winning Song of the Year and Artist of the Year respectively. [[BTS]] won three awards, winning Group of the Year for the third consecutive time, in addition to Best K-Pop and Song of Summer for "[[Butter (song)|Butter]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/2021-vmas-winners-list-mtv-1235059129/|title=2021 MTV Video Music Awards: The Complete Winners List (Updating Live)|last=Hailu|first=Selome|date=September 12, 2021|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210913002706/https://variety.com/2021/music/Hailu/2021-vmas-winners-list-mtv-1235059129/|archive-date=September 13, 2021|access-date=September 12, 2021}}</ref>

'''2022''': [[Taylor Swift]] announced the release of her tenth studio album ''[[Midnights]]'' during her Video of the Year award acceptance speech. Swift also became the first ever artist to win Video of the Year three times.

[[Nicki Minaj]] won the [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award|Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award]] that night and performed a 9-minute medley of her hits including "[[Anaconda (song)|Anaconda]]," "[[Super Bass]]", "[[Monster (Kanye West song)|Monster"]], "[[Beez in the Trap]]", and her newest hit "[[Super Freaky Girl]]" along with other songs. The award was presented by five members of her [[fan club]] the Barbz. In her acceptance speech, Minaj shouted out multiple people who had inspired her and people who have given her big opportunities early in her career including Madonna, [[Eminem]], [[Britney Spears]], [[Lil Wayne]], [[Drake (musician)|Drake]], 
[[Taylor Swift]], [[Beyoncé]], [[Rihanna]], and more who had help boost the popularity of her 2011 hit, "Super Bass". Minaj also said that she wished musicians [[Whitney Houston]] and [[Michael Jackson]] were there to witness her.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corrine |first=Amber |date=2022-08-29 |title=Nicki Minaj Accepts Video Vanguard Award, Performs Medley Of Hits At 2022 MTV VMAs |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/nicki-minaj-vmas-video-vanguard-award-speech-performance-1234689626/ |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}}</ref> She also paid respects to her father, Robert Maraj, who died in a tragic [[Hit and run|hit-and-run]] accident in 2021. She said she wished people took mental health more seriously. Minaj thanked the Barbz, told the audience about her son, nicknamed Papa Bear, and announced her first greatest hits album, ''[[Queen Radio: Volume 1|Queen Radio Vol. 1.]]''

There were three co-hosts in the show, [[LL Cool J]], Minaj, and [[Jack Harlow]].

Harlow opened the show with a performance of his single, "[[First Class (song)|First Class]]". The performance took place on an airplane with Harlow acting as an [[Flight attendant|attendant]]. Several celebrities were seated in the plane including Lil Nas X, [[Saucy Santana]], [[Avril Lavigne]], and more. The plane "landed" at the award show and mocked a red carpet interview, with Harlow saying "Ladies and Gentlemen, [[Fergie (singer)|Fergie]]!". Fergie had come out onstage to perform her 2007 hit "[[Glamorous (Fergie song)|Glamorous]]" which "First Class" samples, marking her first televised performance since her controversial performance of "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]" at the [[2018 NBA All Star Game]]. The performance ended with Fergie and Harlow hugging.

[[Anitta (singer)|Anitta]] becomes the first Brazilian singer to win a category at the MTV Video Music Awards.

'''2023''': [[NSYNC]] reunited for the first time in 10 years at the ceremony, to present the award for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video|Best Pop]], which was to [[Taylor Swift]]'s "[[Anti-Hero (song)|Anti-Hero]]". Swift acknowledged that she still has the 'N Sync dolls, referencing the "[[It's Gonna Be Me]]" music video, and they gave her friendship bracelets.

[[Shakira]] was awarded with the [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]], performing a medley of her hits. She became the first South-American born artist to receive the award. Later, Shakira and [[Karol G]] won the [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration|Best Collaboration]] award, for "[[TQG]]", making the first time a Spanish-language video and a Latin female collaboration won the award.

Taylor Swift won Video of the Year for a second consecutive year for "Anti-Hero", making her the artist with the most wins (four) in this category.

'''2024''': The ceremony was originally scheduled to take place on September 10, 2024, but was pushed back by a day to avoid an overlap with the [[2024 United States presidential debates#September 10 presidential debate|presidential debate]] between [[Donald Trump]] and [[Kamala Harris]].

Taylor Swift won seven awards, including Video of the Year and Artist of the Year, breaking the record for most awards won overall, with thirty wins since 2009. Her Video of the Year win for "[[Fortnight (song)|Fortnight]]" extended her record for the most wins and most consecutive wins in this category, with five wins and three years respectively.

'''2025''': The [[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|2025 Video Music Awards]] were held at the [[UBS Arena]] in [[Elmont, New York]], on September 7, 2025. It was broadcast for the first time on [[CBS]] and available to stream on [[Paramount+]] with a simulcast on [[MTV]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=April 3, 2025 |title=2025 MTV Video Music Awards To Air On CBS For First Time; Will Simulcast On MTV |url=https://deadline.com/2025/04/2025-video-music-awards-cbs-simulcast-mtv-vmas-1236358675/ |access-date=August 5, 2025 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=April 3, 2025 |title=MTV Video Music Awards to Air on CBS for the First Time in 2025 |url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/mtv-vmas-to-air-cbs-first-time-1236359122/ |access-date=August 5, 2025 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> The show was hosted by rapper and actor [[LL Cool J]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Chuba |first=Kirsten |title=LL Cool J Set to Host 2025 MTV VMAs |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/ll-cool-j-host-2025-mtv-vmas-1236343905/ |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=August 14, 2025 |date=August 14, 2025}}</ref> 

[[Lady Gaga]] was the most nominated and awarded artist, winning four trophies out of twelve nominations. [[Ariana Grande]]'s ''[[Brighter Days Ahead]]'' was crowned [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]]. [[Mariah Carey]] was honored with the [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]], presented by Grande. Two new special awards were given out; [[Busta Rhymes]] received the Rock the Bells Visionary, and [[Ricky Martin]] received the Latin Icon. The ceremony saw a 42% increase in viewership compared to the previous edition, its highest ratings in 6 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/vmas-2025-tv-ratings-cbs-1236365220/|title=VMAs Ratings Surge With Move to CBS|first=Rick Porter,Tony|last=Maglio|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=September 8, 2025}}</ref>

==List of ceremonies==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;"| Year
! style="width:9%;"| Date
! style="width:13%;"| Venue
! style="width:10%;"| Host city
! style="width:20%;"| Host(s)<ref name="hosts">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/hosts.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828184514/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/hosts.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=Hosts|work=MTV.com|access-date=19 September 2010}}</ref>
! style="width:28%;"| Video of the Year Winner
! style="width:4%;" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]
| September 14	
| rowspan="2"| [[Radio City Music Hall]]
| rowspan="2"| [[New York City]]	
| [[Dan Aykroyd]] and [[Bette Midler]]	
| "[[You Might Think]]" by [[The Cars]]<br/>{{small|(Directed by Jeff Stein and [[Charlex]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1984">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1984/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828073140/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1984/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=1984 Video Music Awards|work=MTV.com|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]
| September 13
| [[Eddie Murphy]]
| "[[The Boys of Summer (song)|The Boys of Summer]]" by [[Don Henley]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Jean-Baptiste Mondino]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1985">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1985/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830021739/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1985/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 30, 2008|title=1985 Video Music Awards|work=MTV.com|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| September 5
| [[Palladium (New York City)|The Palladium]],<br />[[Universal Amphitheatre]]
| [[New York City]],<br />[[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]
| [[MTV VJs]]: [[Downtown Julie Brown|"Downtown" Julie Brown]], [[Mark Goodman]], [[Alan Hunter (VJ)|Alan Hunter]], [[Martha Quinn]] and [[Dweezil Zappa]]
| "[[Money for Nothing (song)|Money for Nothing]]" by [[Dire Straits]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Steve Barron]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1986">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1986/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907215802/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1986/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 7, 2008|title=1986 Video Music Awards|work=MTV.com|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]
| September 11
| rowspan="5"| [[Universal Amphitheatre]]
| rowspan="7"| [[Los Angeles]]
| [[MTV VJs]]: [[Downtown Julie Brown|"Downtown" Julie Brown]], Carolyne Heldman, [[Dweezil Zappa]] and [[Kevin Seal]]
| "[[Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel song)|Sledgehammer]]" by [[Peter Gabriel]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Stephen R. Johnson]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1987">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1987/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830021744/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1987/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 30, 2008|title=1987 Video Music Awards|work=MTV.com|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|1988]]
| September 7
| rowspan="4"| [[Arsenio Hall]]
| "[[Need You Tonight]]" / "[[Mediate (song)|Mediate]]" by [[INXS]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Richard Lowenstein]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1988">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1988/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830021749/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1988/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 30, 2008|title=1988 Video Music Awards|work=MTV.com|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1989 MTV Video Music Awards|1989]]
| September 6
| "This Note's for You" by [[Neil Young]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Julien Temple]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1989">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1989/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828184238/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1989/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=1989 Video Music Awards|work=MTV.com|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]
| September 6
| "[[Nothing Compares 2 U]]" by [[Sinéad O'Connor]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[John Maybury]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1990">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1990/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828184243/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1990/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=1990 Video Music Awards|work=MTV.com|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1991 MTV Video Music Awards|1991]]
| September 5
| "[[Losing My Religion]]" by [[R.E.M.]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Tarsem Singh]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1991">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1991/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830021804/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1991/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 30, 2008|title=1991 Video Music Awards|work=MTV.com|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1992 MTV Video Music Awards|1992]]
| September 9
| [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]]'s [[Pauley Pavilion]]
| [[Dana Carvey]]
| "[[Right Now (Van Halen song)|Right Now]]" by [[Van Halen]] <br />{{small|(Directed by Mark Fenske)}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1992">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1992/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830021809/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1992/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 30, 2008|title=1992 Video Music Awards|work=MTV.com|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1993 MTV Video Music Awards|1993]]
| September 2
| [[Universal Amphitheatre]]
| [[Christian Slater]]
| "[[Jeremy (song)|Jeremy]]" by [[Pearl Jam]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Mark Pellington]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1993">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1993/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828202646/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1993/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=1993 Video Music Awards|work=MTV.com|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|1994]]
| September 8
| rowspan="4"| [[Radio City Music Hall]]
| rowspan="4"| [[New York City]]
| [[Roseanne Barr]]
| "[[Cryin' (Aerosmith song)|Cryin']]" by [[Aerosmith]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Marty Callner]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1994">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1994/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080901022244/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1994/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 1, 2008|title=1994 Video Music Awards|work=MTV.com|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]]
| September 7
| rowspan="2"| [[Dennis Miller]]
| "[[Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls]]" by [[TLC (band)|TLC]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[F. Gary Gray]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1995">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1995/|title=1995 Video Music Awards|work=MTV.com|access-date=17 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510091655/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1995/|archive-date=10 May 2016}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]
| September 4
| "[[Tonight, Tonight (The Smashing Pumpkins song)|Tonight, Tonight]]" by [[The Smashing Pumpkins]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1996">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1996/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829224311/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1996/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 29, 2008|title=1996 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]
| September 4
| [[Chris Rock]]
| "[[Virtual Insanity]]" by [[Jamiroquai]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Jonathan Glazer]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1997">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1997/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830021815/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1997/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 30, 2008|title=1997 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|1998]]
| September 10
| [[Universal Amphitheatre]]
| [[Los Angeles]]
| [[Ben Stiller]]
| "[[Ray of Light (song)|Ray of Light]]" by [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Jonas Åkerlund]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1998">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1998/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828154709/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1998/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=1998 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]
| September 9
| [[Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center)|Metropolitan Opera House]]
| rowspan="5"| [[New York City]]
| [[Chris Rock]]
| "[[Doo Wop (That Thing)]]" by [[Lauryn Hill]] <br />{{small|(Directed by Big TV!)}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma1999">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1999/|title=1999 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828041546/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1999/|archive-date=August 28, 2008|access-date=October 5, 2020}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000]]
| September 7
| [[Radio City Music Hall]]
| [[Marlon Wayans]] and [[Shawn Wayans]]
| "[[The Real Slim Shady]]" by [[Eminem]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Dr. Dre]] and [[Philip Atwell]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2000">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2000/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828092653/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2000/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=2000 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]
| September 6
| [[Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center)|Metropolitan Opera House]]
| [[Jamie Foxx]]
| "[[Lady Marmalade#Moulin Rouge! version|Lady Marmalade]]" by [[Christina Aguilera]], [[Lil' Kim]], [[Mýa]] and [[Pink (singer)|P!nk]] featuring [[Missy Elliott]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Paul Hunter (director)|Paul Hunter]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2001">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2001/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828041551/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2001/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=2001 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|2002]]
| August 29
| rowspan="2"| [[Radio City Music Hall]]
| [[Jimmy Fallon]]
| "[[Without Me (Eminem song)|Without Me]]" by [[Eminem]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Joseph Kahn (director)|Joseph Kahn]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2002">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2002/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828092656/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2002/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=2002 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]
| August 28
| [[Chris Rock]]
| "[[Work It (Missy Elliott song)|Work It]]" by [[Missy Elliott]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Dave Meyers (director)|Dave Meyers]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2003">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2003/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828092702/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2003/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=2003 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2004 MTV Video Music Awards|2004]]
| August 29
| rowspan="2"| [[Kaseya Center|American Airlines Arena]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Miami]]
| {{n/a}}
| "[[Hey Ya!]]" by [[OutKast]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Bryan Barber]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2004">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2004/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908111554/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2004/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 8, 2008|title=2004 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005]]
| August 28
| [[Sean Combs|Diddy]]
| "[[Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day song)|Boulevard of Broken Dreams]]" by [[Green Day]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Samuel Bayer]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2005">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2005/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828073144/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2005/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=2005 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006]]
| August 31
| [[Radio City Music Hall]]
| [[New York City]]
| [[Jack Black]]
| "[[I Write Sins Not Tragedies]]" by [[Panic! At The Disco]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Shane Drake]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2006">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2006/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060706040602/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2006/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 6, 2006|title=2006 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards|2007]]
| September 9
| [[Palms Casino Resort]]
| [[Las Vegas]]
| {{n/a}}
| "[[Umbrella (music video)|Umbrella]]" by [[Rihanna]] featuring [[Jay-Z]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Chris Applebaum]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2007/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706001104/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2007/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 6, 2007|title=2007 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|2008]]
| September 7
| Paramount Studios
| [[Los Angeles]]
| rowspan="2"|[[Russell Brand]]
| "[[Piece of Me (Britney Spears song)|Piece of Me]]" by [[Britney Spears]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Wayne Isham]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2008/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828041555/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2008/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=2008 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|2009]]
| September 13
| [[Radio City Music Hall]]
| [[New York City]]
| "[[Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)]]" by [[Beyoncé]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Jake Nava]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716032752/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 16, 2009|title=2009 Video Music Awards|work=MTV.com|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2010 MTV Video Music Awards|2010]]
| September 12
| rowspan="2"| [[Peacock Theater|Nokia Theatre]]
| rowspan="3"| [[Los Angeles]]
| [[Chelsea Handler]]
| "[[Bad Romance]]" by [[Lady Gaga]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Francis Lawrence]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2010/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721234616/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2010/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 21, 2010|title=2010 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|2011]]
| August 28
| {{n/a}}
| "[[Firework (song)|Firework]]" by [[Katy Perry]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Dave Meyers (director)|Dave Meyers]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2011/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713111210/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2011/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 13, 2011|title=2011 Video Music Awards|work=MTV|access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2012 MTV Video Music Awards|2012]]
| September 6
| [[Crypto.com Arena|Staples Center]]
| [[Kevin Hart]]
| "[[We Found Love]]" by [[Rihanna]] featuring [[Calvin Harris]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Melina Matsoukas]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2012">{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/er7igb/2012-video-music-awards-staples-center|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116120329/https://www.mtv.com/news/er7igb/2012-video-music-awards-staples-center|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 16, 2023|title=2012 Video Music Awards to Take Over Staples Center|last=Montgomery|first=James|date=15 May 2012|publisher=[[MTV News]]|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2013 MTV Video Music Awards|2013]]
| August 25
| [[Barclays Center]]
| [[New York City]]
| rowspan="2" {{n/a}}
| "[[Mirrors (Justin Timberlake song)|Mirrors]]" by [[Justin Timberlake]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Floria Sigismondi]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.barclayscenter.com/news/detail/mtvs-2013-video-music-awards-livefrom-barclays-center-on-sunday-august-25th|title=MTV's Video Music Awards to take place Sunday, August 25th, Live from Barclays Center|date=25 March 2013|publisher=[[Barclays Center]]|access-date=25 March 2013}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|2014]]
| August 24
| [[Kia Forum|The Forum]]
| [[Inglewood, California]]
| "[[Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus song)|Wrecking Ball]]" by [[Miley Cyrus]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Terry Richardson]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2014">{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/aw855z/mtv-video-music-awards-vmas-2014-los-angeles|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816074255/https://www.mtv.com/news/aw855z/mtv-video-music-awards-vmas-2014-los-angeles|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 16, 2022|title=The 2014 MTV Video Music Awards Are Going Back to Cali|date=23 April 2014|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2015 MTV Video Music Awards|2015]]
| August 30
| [[Peacock Theater|Microsoft Theater]]
| [[Los Angeles]]
| [[Miley Cyrus]]
| "[[Bad Blood (Taylor Swift song)|Bad Blood]]" by [[Taylor Swift]] featuring [[Kendrick Lamar]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Joseph Kahn (director)|Joseph Kahn]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vma2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1996758/2015-vmas/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141231204146/http://www.mtv.com/news/1996758/2015-vmas/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 31, 2014|title=Save the Date! The 2015 VMAs Are Set For…|last=Linder|first=Emilee|date=November 13, 2014|work=mtv.com|access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|2016]]
| August 28
| [[Madison Square Garden]]
| [[New York City]]
| {{n/a}}
| "[[Formation (song)|Formation]]" by [[Beyoncé]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Melina Matsoukas]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vmas2016">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7340813/mtv-vmas-madison-square-garden-new-york|title=MTV VMAs to Be Held at Madison Square Garden for the First Time|magazine=Billboard|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=April 21, 2016|author=Greenwald, Morgan}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]
| August 27
| [[Kia Forum|The Forum]]
| [[Inglewood, California]]
| [[Katy Perry]]
| "[[Humble (song)|HUMBLE.]]" by [[Kendrick Lamar]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Dave Meyers (director)|Dave Meyers]] and The Little Homies)}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vmas2017">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/vma/7767693/mtv-video-music-awards-returning-to-la-2017|title=MTV Video Music Awards Returning to L.A. for 2017|magazine=Billboard|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=April 20, 2017|author=Stutz, Colin}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]
| August 20
| [[Radio City Music Hall]]
| [[New York City]]
| {{n/a}}
| "[[Havana (Camila Cabello song)|Havana]]" by [[Camila Cabello]] featuring [[Young Thug]] <br />{{small|(Directed by [[Dave Meyers (director)|Dave Meyers]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vmas2018">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3073959/vma-2018-new-york-return/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417222858/http://www.mtv.com/news/3073959/vma-2018-new-york-return/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 17, 2018|title=Get Ready: The 2018 VMAs Are Officially Invading New York City|work=MTV|date=April 17, 2018|access-date=April 17, 2018|author=Hosken, Patrick}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]
| August 26
| [[Prudential Center]]
| [[Newark, New Jersey]]
| [[Sebastian Maniscalco]]
| "[[You Need to Calm Down]]" by [[Taylor Swift]] <br />{{small|(Directed by Taylor Swift and Drew Kirsch)}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vmas2019">{{cite web|title=MTV's 2019 "VMAs" Will Take Place Monday, August 26th at 9PM ET/PT Live from New Jersey's Prudential Center|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/04/29/mtvs-2019-vmas-will-take-place-monday-august-26th-at-9pm-et-pt-live-from-new-jerseys-prudential-center-863215/20190429mtv01/|work=[[The Futon Critic]]|date=April 29, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|2020]]
| August 30
| [[One Astor Plaza]]{{efn|Actual location of studios where event was held.}}
| rowspan="2"| [[New York City]]
| [[Keke Palmer]]
| "[[Blinding Lights]]" by [[The Weeknd]] <br />{{small|(Directed by Anton Tammi)}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vmas2020–2021">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/mtv-video-music-awards-opt-out-barclays-center-event-1203007888/|title=MTV Video Music Awards Opt Out Of Indoor Event At Barclays Center After Health Warnings|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=August 7, 2020|access-date=August 7, 2020|author=Haring, Bruce}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|2021]]
| September 12
| [[Barclays Center]]
| [[Doja Cat]]
| "[[Montero (Call Me by Your Name)]]" by [[Lil Nas X]] <br />{{small|(Directed by Lil Nas X and [[Tanu Muino]])}}
|align="center"|<ref name="vmas2020–2021" />
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|2022]]
| August 28
| rowspan="2" | [[Prudential Center]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Newark, New Jersey]]
| [[Jack Harlow]], [[LL Cool J]] and [[Nicki Minaj]]{{efn|referred to as "Emcees"}}
| ''[[All Too Well: The Short Film]]'' by [[Taylor Swift]] <br />{{small|(Directed by Taylor Swift)}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Langston |first=Keith |date=August 29, 2022 |title=MTV VMAs 2022 winners: See the full list |url=https://ew.com/mtv-video-music-awards/mtv-vmas-2022-winners-list/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829182240/https://ew.com/mtv-video-music-awards/mtv-vmas-2022-winners-list/ |archive-date=August 29, 2022 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|2023]]
| September 12
| [[Nicki Minaj]]{{efn|referred to as "Emcee"}}
| "[[Anti-Hero (song)|Anti-Hero]]" by [[Taylor Swift]] <br />{{small|(Directed by Taylor Swift)}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |title=2023 VMAs: Taylor Swift Takes Video of the Year; Full Winners List |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/2023-vmas-winners-list-1235588493/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=September 13, 2023 |date=September 12, 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
| September 11
| rowspan="2" | [[UBS Arena]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Elmont, New York]]
| [[Megan Thee Stallion]]
| "[[Fortnight (song)|Fortnight]]" by [[Taylor Swift]] featuring [[Post Malone]]  <br />{{small|(Directed by Taylor Swift)}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|title=MTV's Video Music Awards Sets 2024 Date|url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/mtv-video-music-awards-2024-date-vmas-1235893263/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=April 24, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | [[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|2025]]
| September 7
| [[LL Cool J]]
| ''[[Brighter Days Ahead]]'' by [[Ariana Grande]] <br/><small>(Directed by [[Christian Breslauer]])</small>
| align="center"|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=April 3, 2025 |title=CBS Will Present MTV Video Music Awards for the First Time in 2025 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/cbs-present-mtv-vmas-2025-1235938874/ |access-date=April 3, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
|}

==Award categories==

=== Votable categories ===
Winners of the following categories are chosen by fan votes through a voting process.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MTV |title=Vote Now – Nominees for 2023 MTV Video Music Awards |url=https://www.mtv.com/vma/vote/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=www.mtv.com}}</ref>

* [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]]
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]
* [[MTV Video Music Awards for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]]
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]] (awarded as Best New Artist in a Video from 1984 to 2006, Artist to Watch from 2013 to 2015, and Push Best New Artist in 2020)
* Push Performance of the Year
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video|Best Group]] (awarded as Best Group Video from 1984 to 2007)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration|Best Collaboration]] (awarded as Most Earthshattering Collaboration in 2007)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video|Best Pop]] (awarded as Best Pop Video from 1999 to 2016)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video|Best Rock]] (awarded as Best Heavy Metal Video in 1989, Best Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Video from 1990 to 1995, Best Hard Rock Video in 1996, and Best Rock Video from 1997 to 2016)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video|Best Hip-Hop]] (awarded as Best Hip-Hop Video from 1999 to 2016)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video|Best R&B]] (awarded as Best R&B Video from 1993 to 2006)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Alternative Video|Best Alternative]] (awarded as Best Alternative Video from 1991 to 1998)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Latino Artist|Best Latin]] (awarded as Best Latino Artist from 2010 to 2013)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best K-Pop Video|Best K-Pop]]
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Video with a Social Message|Video for Good]] (awarded as Best Video with a Message from 2011 to 2012, Best Video with a Social Message from 2013 to 2015, Best Fight Against the System in 2017, and Video with a Message in 2018)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Long Form Video|Best Long Form Video]] (awarded as Breakthrough Long Form Video in 2016)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Song of Summer|Song of Summer]]
* Best Pop Artist
* [[CMT Music Award for Video of the Year|Best Country]] (awarded as the [[CMT Music Awards]] Video of the Year from 2002 to 2024)

=== Professional categories ===
Winners of the following categories are chosen by members of the music industry.

* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]]
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]]
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects|Best Visual Effects]] (awarded as Best Special Effects from 1984 to 2011)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction|Best Art Direction]]
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]]
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]]

=== Special Awards ===
The following awards have special significance and are not necessarily awarded annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Complete List of Honorees {{!}} MTV VMAs 2023 |url=https://www.mtv.com/vma/honorees |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731235530/http://www.mtv.com/vma/honorees |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 31, 2019 |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=www.mtv.com |language=en}}</ref>

* '''[[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]]''' (awarded as the Video Vanguard Award from 1984 to 1990, 2006, awarded as the Lifetime Achievement an Award in 1994 and 2003)
* '''Global Icon Award''' was introduced in [[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|2021]] and it is awarded to bands and musicians with “an unparalleled career and continued influence” and has achieved “global success in music and beyond.”

* [[Foo Fighters]] (2021)
* [[Red Hot Chili Peppers|Red Hot Chilli Peppers]] (2022)
* [[Sean Combs|P Diddy]] (2023)

===Past award categories===
* Special Recognition Award (1984–1986)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Overall Performance|Best Overall Performance in a Video]] (1984–1987)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Most Experimental Video|Most Experimental Video]] (1984–1987; replaced by Breakthrough Video)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Concept Video|Best Concept Video]] (1984–1988)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Stage Performance|Best Stage Performance in a Video]] (1984–1989)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Post-Modern Video|Best Post-Modern Video]] (1989–1990; replaced by Best Alternative Video)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Artist Website|Best Artist Website]] (1999)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film|Best Video from a Film]] (1987–2003)
* [[MTV Video Music Award – International Viewer's Choice|International Viewer's Choice]] (1989–2003; awards for individual regions were created and eliminated in different years)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video|Best Rap Video]] (1989–2006)
* [[MTV Video Music Award – MTV2 Award|MTV2 Award]] (2001–2006)
* [[MTV Video Music Award – Viewer's Choice|Viewer's Choice]] (1984–2006)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Video Game Soundtrack|Best Video Game Soundtrack]] (2004–2006)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Video Game Score|Best Video Game Score]] (2006)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Ringtone of the Year|Ringtone of the Year]] (2006)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Quadruple Threat of the Year|Quadruple Threat of the Year]] (2007)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Monster Single of the Year|Monster Single of the Year]] (2007)
* Best UK Video (2008)
* Best Video (That Should Have Won a Moonman) (2009)
* [[MTV Video Music Award – Breakthrough Video|Breakthrough Video]] (1988–2005, 2009–2010)
* Most Share-Worthy Video (2012)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Latino Artist|Best Latino Artist]] (2010–2013)
* Best Lyric Video (2014)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video|Best Male Video]] (1984–2016; replaced by Artist of the Year)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Best Female Video]] (1984–2016; replaced by Artist of the Year)
* Push Artist of the Year (2018–2019; merged with [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]] in 2020)
* Best Power Anthem (2019)
* [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video|Best Dance]] (1989–2019; awarded as Best Dance Video from 1989 to 2006, Best Dancing in a Video in 2008, Best Dance Music Video in 2010, Best Electronic Dance Music Video in 2012, MTV Clubland Award in 2014, Best Electronic Video in 2016)
* MTV Fashion Trailbazer Award (2019)
* Best Music Video from Home (2020)
* Best Quarantine Performance (2020)
* Everyday Heroes: Frontline Medical Workers (2020)
* MTV Tricon Award (2020)
* VMAs Most Iconic Performance (2024)
* Best Trending Video (2024)

== Reception ==
The MTV Video Music Awards have been described as a prominent event in the mainstream [[music industry]] since its inauguration. However, some publications such as ''[[The Washington Post]]'' and ''[[HuffPost]]'' opined that the stature of the ceremony had declined by 2019.<ref name="WashPost">{{cite news |title=MTV's Video Music Awards are around the corner. But will anyone care? |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/07/23/mtvs-video-music-awards-are-around-corner-will-anyone-care/ |access-date=September 10, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Status">{{cite news |title=Reasons Why the VMAs No Longer Matter |work=Huffington Post |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/five-reasons-why-the-vmas_b_5710523?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvLnVrLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAITdQONacrI1JkyTHvAa1Vt7zjwomg89TkiCzOdWa96HwRK5KdYXIaZHxCiUgfqUbkfNF09swQj4n8JI-hgOfppBtQWy_e1-x84Qr6IaFqJdzfiq4Ob1IGYUngSEiSHAWlPaRIRlkps7CrVj2Dy64q5Theg0RF1PDp9xZcifNGXl&guccounter=2 |access-date=August 28, 2019}}</ref> ''HuffPost'' cited reasons such as a lack of interest (declining attendances and viewership: in 2019 ratings hit an all-time low for the third straight year),<ref>{{cite news |title=MTV Video Music Awards Hit an All-Time Ratings Low – for the Third Straight Year |work=Digital Music News |url=https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2019/08/28/mtv-video-music-awards-all-time-ratings-low/ |access-date=August 31, 2019}}</ref> lack of musical diversity, lack of celebrity, lack of credibility,<ref name="Status"/> and access to music online.<ref name="WashPost"/> ''The Washington Post'' states, "The moment the VMAs ceased to matter might have happened in 2014, when Drake didn't bother appearing to receive his award. Or maybe it was even earlier than that: The Associated Press compared the energy of the VMAs to the scripted reality-TV show ''[[MTV Cribs|Cribs]]'' all the way back in 2006."<ref name="WashPost"/> MTV has also faced criticism for devoting most of its airtime outside the VMAs to reality shows and dramas, with music videos mainly airing in off-peak [[graveyard slot]]s to suffice the minimum amount of music programming in the network's carriage agreements.<ref name="Status"/>

=== Ratings ===
Ratings are not available prior to 1994 because MTV was not subscribing to [[Nielsen Media Research]]'s program ratings prior to 1994.<ref name="ratings">{{cite web|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100914094157/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/09/12/historical-nielsen-ratings-for-mtvs-video-music-awards-1994-2009/62965|archive-date=September 14, 2010|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/09/12/historical-nielsen-ratings-for-mtvs-video-music-awards-1994-2009/62965|title=Historical Nielsen Ratings for MTV's 'Video Music Awards' 1994–2009|last=Seidman|first=Robert|date=September 12, 2010|publisher=TVbytheNumbers.com|access-date=September 15, 2010}}</ref> The field "Cumulative viewers" shows the audience of the live simulcasts of the ceremony across many ViacomCBS channels as a whole.
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Day<ref name="ratings" />
! scope="col" | Time
! scope="col" | Date
! scope="col" | Households Rating<ref name="ratings" />
! scope="col" | Households Share<ref name="ratings" />
! scope="col" | MTV Viewers<ref name="ratings" /><br />(in millions)
! scope="col" | Cumulative TV Viewers (in millions)<br /><small>(not including Internet streams)</small>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|1994]]
| Thursday
| 8:00–11:25pm
| September 8, 1994
| 4.1
| {{N/a}}
| 5.36
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]]
| Thursday
| 8:00–11:00pm
| September 7, 1995
| 3.7
| 7
| 6.33
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]
| Wednesday
| 8:00–11:00pm
| September 4, 1996
| 3.6
| 6
| 5.07
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]
| Thursday
| 8:00–11:00pm
| September 4, 1997
| 5.2
| 9
| 7.47
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|1998]]
| Thursday
| 8:00–11:13pm
| September 10, 1998
| 5.8
| 10
| 8.94
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]
| Thursday
| 8:00–11:13pm
| September 9, 1999
| 8.0
| 14
| 11.96
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000]]
| Thursday
| 8:00–11:09pm
| September 7, 2000
| 6.5
| 11
| 9.85
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]
| Thursday
| 8:00–11:26pm
| September 6, 2001
| 6.6
| 11
| 10.76
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|2002]]
| Thursday
| 8:00–11:17pm
| August 29, 2002
| 6.6
| 11
| 11.95
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]
| Thursday
| 8:00–11:03pm
| August 28, 2003
| 6.4
| 11
| 10.71
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2004 MTV Video Music Awards|2004]]
| Sunday
| 8:00–11:11pm
| August 29, 2004
| 6.3
| 11
| 10.32
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005]]
| Sunday
| 8:00–11:23pm
| August 28, 2005
| 5.0
| 8
| 8.01
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006]]
| Thursday
| 8:00–11:28pm
| August 31, 2006
| 3.6
| 6
| 5.77
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards|2007]]
| Sunday
| 9:00–11:12pm
| September 9, 2007
| 4.0
| 7
| 7.082
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|2008]]
| Sunday
| 9:00–11:20pm
| September 7, 2008
| 5.0
| 8
| 8.425<ref name="2008vma">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/09/09/palin-mccain-vmas-and-the-closer-lead-cable-viewing/5000|title=Palin, McCain, VMAs and The Closer Lead Cable Viewing|last=Seidman|first=Robert|date=September 8, 2008|publisher=TVbytheNumbers.com|access-date=September 17, 2010|archive-date=January 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114013840/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/09/09/palin-mccain-vmas-and-the-closer-lead-cable-viewing/5000|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|2009]]
| Sunday
| 9:00–11:21pm
| September 13, 2009
| 7.5
| 8
| 8.972<ref name="2009vma">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/09/14/2009-mtv-video-music-awards-premiere-watched-by-27-million-largest-audience-since-2002/27109|title=2009 MTV Video Music Awards premiere watched by 27 million, largest audience since 2002|last=Seidman|first=Robert|date=September 14, 2009|publisher=TVbytheNumbers.com|access-date=September 17, 2010|archive-date=September 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922220744/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/09/14/2009-mtv-video-music-awards-premiere-watched-by-27-million-largest-audience-since-2002/27109|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2010 MTV Video Music Awards|2010]]
| Sunday
| 9:00–11:15pm
| September 12, 2010
| 10
| 8
| 11.398<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/09/14/big-sunday-for-cable-ratings-true-blood-vmas-jersey-shore-iron-chef-kardashians-lots-more/63300/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118201123/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/09/14/big-sunday-for-cable-ratings-true-blood-vmas-jersey-shore-iron-chef-kardashians-lots-more/63300|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 18, 2010|title=Big Sunday For Cable Ratings: True Blood, VMAs, Jersey Shore, Iron Chef, Kardashians & Lots More|date=September 14, 2010|access-date=April 14, 2011}}</ref>
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|2011]]
| Sunday
| 9:00–11:27pm
| August 28, 2011
| 10.8
| {{N/a}}
| 12.445<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/mtvs-video-music-awards-scores-228952|title=MTV's Video Music Awards Scores Largest Audience Ever|date=August 29, 2011|access-date=September 15, 2012|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2012 MTV Video Music Awards|2012]]
| Thursday
| 8:00–10:00pm
| September 6, 2012
| 2.8
| {{N/a}}
| 6.134<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/09/07/thursday-cable-ratings-video-music-awards-win-night-dnc-coverage-project-runway-sullivan-son-pawn-stars-house-hunters-more/147768/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910000941/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/09/07/thursday-cable-ratings-video-music-awards-win-night-dnc-coverage-project-runway-sullivan-son-pawn-stars-house-hunters-more/147768/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2012|title=Thursday Cable Ratings: 'Video Music Awards' Win Night, DNC Coverage, 'Project Runway', 'Sullivan & Son', 'Pawn Stars', 'House Hunters' & More|publisher=TV By the Numbers|access-date=September 7, 2012}}</ref>
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2013 MTV Video Music Awards|2013]]
| Sunday
| 9:00–11:28pm
| August 25, 2013
| 7.8
| {{N/a}}
| 10.066<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-mtv-vmas-up-614095|title=TV Ratings: MTV VMAs Up 66 Percent Due to Justin Timberlake, 'N Sync Reunion|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 26, 2014|access-date=August 26, 2014}}</ref>
| {{N/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|2014]]
| Sunday
| 9:00–11:13pm
| August 24, 2014
| 4.2
| {{N/a}}
| 8.257<ref name=blueivy>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/vma/6229363/ratings-mtv-vmas-8-million-viewers-down-18-percent|title=VMAs Ratings Down Despite Blue Ivy Surprise|magazine=Billboard|date= August 26, 2014|access-date= August 26, 2014|last=Gallo|first=Phil}}</ref>
| 10.3<ref name=blueivy/>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2015 MTV Video Music Awards|2015]]
| Sunday
| 9:00–11:37pm
| August 30, 2015
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 5.025<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-5-million-viewers-819187|title=TV Ratings: 5 Million Viewers Watched the VMAs on MTV|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date= September 1, 2015|access-date= September 1, 2015|last=O'Connell|first=Michael}}</ref>
| 9.8<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-mtv-vmas-ratings-20150831-story.html|title=MTV VMAs viewership falls to 9.8 million, despite airing on more networks|first=Ryan|last=Faughnder|date=31 August 2015|via=LA Times}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|2016]]
| Sunday
| 9:00–11:54pm
| August 28, 2016
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 3.273<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7494646/mtv-considers-vma-changes-audience-shift | title=MTV Considers VMA Changes Because of Audience Shift | magazine=Billboard | date=August 30, 2016 | access-date=August 30, 2016}}</ref>
| 6.5<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7488058/mtv-vmas-ratings-drop-65-million-viewers-across-nets|title=MTV VMAs Ratings Drop Again, Draw 6.5 Million Viewers Across Nets|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]
| Sunday
| 8:00–11:05pm
| August 27, 2017
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 2.661<ref name="low">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/sunday-cable-ratings-aug-27-2017/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829203817/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/sunday-cable-ratings-aug-27-2017/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 29, 2017|title=Sunday cable ratings: VMAs hit all-time low opposite 'Game of Thrones' finale|website=TV By The Numbers|date= August 29, 2017|access-date= August 29, 2017|last=Porter|first=Rick}}</ref>
| 5.36<ref name="low" />
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]
| Monday
| 9:00–11:43pm
| August 20, 2018
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 2.250<ref name="2018 ratings"/>
| 4.87<ref name="2018 ratings"/>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]
| Monday
| 8:00–10:58pm
| August 26, 2019
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 1.926<ref name="2019 ratings">{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2020/08/31/vmas-2020-ratings-drop-5-to-6-4m-viewers-across-platforms/|title=VMAs 2020 ratings drop 5% to 6.4M viewers across platforms|website=The New York Post|date= August 31, 2020|access-date= September 1, 2020|last=Porter|first=Rick}}</ref>
| <!--"last year's event ... drew an audience of 6.8 million for all programming ... including 4.9 millions for the primetime event". 6.8 is correct-->6.8<ref name="2019 ratings"/>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|2020]]
| Sunday
| 8:00–10:14pm
| August 30, 2020
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
|  1.315<ref name="2020 ratings">{{cite web|url=http://www.thetvratingsguide.com/2020/09/sunday-cable-ratings-83020-mtv-video.html|title=Sunday Cable Ratings 8/30/20: MTV Video Music Awards Drop from 2019, Wynonna Earp Rises for Midseason Finale, 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After Tops NBA Playoffs|website=The TV Ratings Guide|date= September 1, 2020|access-date= September 1, 2020|last=Porter|first=Rick}}</ref>
| 6.4<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/2020-mtv-vmas-ratings-1234754951/|title=TV Ratings: 2020 VMAs Draw 6.4 Million Total Viewers, Score Big on Social|date=August 31, 2020|work=Variety|access-date=September 2, 2020}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|2021]]
|Sunday
|8:00–11:06pm
|September 12, 2021 
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
|0.900<ref name="2021 ratings">{{Cite web|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=2021-09-14|title=TV Ratings: 2021 Video Music Awards Get a Big Digital Boost|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2021-vmas-tv-ratings-1235013422/|access-date=2021-09-15|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref>
|3.7<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rice |first=Lynette |date=2022-08-29 |title=MTV Video Music Awards Ratings Up 3 Percent From Last Year |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/mtv-video-music-awards-up-3-percent-last-year-1235102605/ |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|2022]]
|Sunday
|8:00–11:19pm
|August 28, 2022 
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
|0.705<ref>{{Cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Hugh |title=The MTV Video Music Awards Grew Substantially In Viewership |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/09/14/the-mtv-video-music-awards-grew-substantially-in-viewership/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
|3.85<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=2022-08-29 |title=MTV's VMAs Simulcast Ratings Tick Up 1% From Last Year |url=https://variety.com/2022/awards/news/vmas-ratings-viewers-mtv-simulcast-1235353273/ |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|2023]]
|Tuesday
|8:00–11:51pm
|September 12, 2023 
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
|0.913<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campione |first=Katie |date=2023-09-13 |title=MTV Scores Highest-Rated VMAs In 3 Years As Taylor Swift Sweeps Top Awards |url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/mtv-vmas-2023-ratings-record-1235545838/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
|3.78<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=2023-09-13 |title=TV Ratings: VMAs Rise in Cross-Platform Viewing, Steady on Air |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/mtv-vmas-2023-tv-ratings-1235589731/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
|Wednesday
|8:00–11:18pm
|September 11, 2024
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 0.728
| 4.09<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campione |first=Katie |date=2024-09-12 |title=MTV's Video Music Awards Draw Largest Multi-Network Audience In 4 Years |url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/mtv-2024-vma-viewership-ratings-1236086527/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|2025]]
|Sunday
|8:00–11:03pm
|September 7, 2025
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 0.491
| 5.495<ref>{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-mtv-video-music-awards-hits-six-year-high-with-cbs-debut-and-nfl-lead-in/|title=Sunday Ratings: MTV Video Music Awards Hits Six-Year High with CBS Debut and NFL Lead-In|date=September 10, 2025 |publisher=Programming Insider|accessdate=September 14, 2025}}</ref>
|}

==Most wins==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%;"
|+Key
|† indicates an [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]]–winning video.
|-
|‡ indicates an [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]]–nominated video
|}
===Most wins overall===
<!-- MTV ONLY COUNTS LEAD ARTISTS, NOT FEATURED ACTS, CHECK THE SOURCE "BIGGEST WINNERS" -->
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:16%;"| Artist
! style="width:8%;"| Years
! style="width:9%;"| Number of awards{{efn|The MTV "Biggest Winners" list only recognizes when artists win as a lead act, not as a featured act.}}
! style="width:67%;"| Awarded work<ref name="mostawards">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317194248/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/archive/multiple-winners.jhtml|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/multiple-winners.jhtml|title=Biggest Winners|work=MTV|access-date=November 26, 2015|archive-date=March 17, 2016 }}</ref>
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]]
| align="center" | [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|2009]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| align="center" | 30
| "[[You Belong with Me]]" (1); "[[I Knew You Were Trouble]]"‡ (1); "[[Blank Space]]" (2); "[[Bad Blood (Taylor Swift song)|Bad Blood]]"† (2); "[[I Don't Wanna Live Forever]]" (1); "[[You Need to Calm Down]]"† (2); "[[Me!]]" (1); "[[The Man (Taylor Swift song)|The Man]]"‡ (1); [[All Too Well: The Short Film]]† (3); "[[Anti-Hero (Taylor Swift song)|Anti-Hero]]"† (6); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]] (2); [[The Eras Tour]] (1); ''[[Midnights (Taylor Swift album)|Midnights]]'' (1); "[[Fortnight (song)|Fortnight]]"† (5); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video|Best Pop]]
|-
| [[Beyoncé]] 
| align="center| [[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]–[[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|21]]
| align="center| 28
| "[[Crazy in Love (Beyoncé song)|Crazy in Love]]" (3); "[[Naughty Girl (Beyoncé song)|Naughty Girl]]" (1); "[[Check on It]]" (1); "[[Beautiful Liar]]" (1); "[[Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)]]"† (3); "[[Telephone (song)|Telephone]]"‡ (1)<!--MTV didn't count featured artists in 2010--> "[[Run the World (Girls)]]" (1); "[[Countdown (Beyoncé song)|Countdown]]"(1); [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]]; "[[Pretty Hurts (song)|Pretty Hurts]]" (2); "[[Drunk in Love]]"‡ (1); "[[7/11 (song)|7/11]]"‡ (1); "[[Hold Up (Beyoncé song)|Hold Up]]" (1); ''[[Lemonade (Beyoncé album)#Visuals|Lemonade]]'' (1); "[[Formation (song)|Formation]]"† (6); "[[Apeshit]]"‡ (2); "[[Brown Skin Girl]]" (1)
|-
| [[Lady Gaga]]
| align="center| [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|2009]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| align="center| 22
| "[[Paparazzi (Lady Gaga song)|Paparazzi]]" (2); "[[Poker Face (Lady Gaga song)|Poker Face]]"‡ (1); "[[Bad Romance]]"† (7); "[[Telephone (song)|Telephone]]"‡ (1); "[[Born This Way (song)|Born This Way]]" (2); "[[Rain on Me (Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande song)|Rain on Me]]"‡ (3); Tricon Award; [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]] (2); "[[Abracadabra (Lady Gaga song)|Abracadabra]]" (2); "[[Die with a Smile|Die With A Smile]]"‡ (1)
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| align="center| [[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]–[[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|99]]
| align="center| 20
| [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award|Video Vanguard Award]];  "[[Papa Don't Preach]]" (1); "[[Express Yourself (Madonna song)|Express Yourself]]" (3); "[[Like a Prayer (song)|Like a Prayer]]"‡ (1); "[[Vogue (Madonna song)|Vogue]]"‡ (3); ''[[The Immaculate Collection (video)|The Immaculate Collection]]'' (1); "[[Rain (Madonna song)|Rain]]" (2); "[[Take a Bow (Madonna song)|Take a Bow]]" (1); "[[Ray of Light (song)|Ray of Light]]"† (5); "[[Frozen (Madonna song)|Frozen]]" (1); "[[Beautiful Stranger]]" (1)
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| align="center| [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| align="center| 15
| "[[My Name Is]]" (1); "[[Forgot About Dre]]" (1) "[[The Real Slim Shady]]"† (2); "[[Without Me (Eminem song)|Without Me]]"† (4); "[[Lose Yourself]]"‡ (1); "[[We Made You]]"‡ (1); "[[Not Afraid]]"‡ (2); "[[Rap God]]" (1); "[[Houdini (Eminem song) |Houdini]]"‡ (2)
|-
| [[Ariana Grande]]
| align="center| [[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|2014]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| rowspan="2" align="center" | 13
| "[[Problem (Ariana Grande song)|Problem]]" (1); "[[No Tears Left to Cry]]"‡ (1); "[[7 Rings]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]] (1); "[[Boyfriend (Ariana Grande and Social House song)|Boyfriend]]" (1); "[[Rain on Me (Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande song)|Rain On Me]]"‡ (3); "[[Stuck With U]]" (1); "[[We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)]]"‡ (1); [[Brighter Days Ahead]]† (3)
|-
| [[Peter Gabriel]]
| align="center| [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]–[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|94]]
| "[[Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel song)|Sledgehammer]]"† (9); [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award|Video Vanguard Award]];  "[[Steam (Peter Gabriel song)|Steam]]" (2); "Kiss That Frog" (1)
|-
| [[R.E.M.]]
| align="center| [[1989 MTV Video Music Awards|1989]]–[[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|95]]
| rowspan="1" align="center| 12
| "[[Orange Crush (song)|Orange Crush]]" (1); "[[Losing My Religion]]"† (6); "[[Everybody Hurts]]"‡ (4); [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]]
|-
| [[Justin Timberlake]]
| align="center| [[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]–[[2013 MTV Video Music Awards|13]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| 11
| "[[Cry Me a River (Justin Timberlake song)|Cry Me a River]]"‡ (2); "[[Rock Your Body]]" (1); "[[What Goes Around... Comes Around]]"‡ (1); "Let Me Talk to You/[[My Love (Justin Timberlake song)|My Love]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video|Male Artist of the Year]]; [[MTV Video Music Award for Quadruple Threat of the Year|Quadruple Threat of the Year]]; [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]]; "[[Suit & Tie]]" (1); "[[Mirrors (Justin Timberlake song)|Mirrors]]"† (2)
|-
| [[Green Day]]
| align="center| [[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|1998]]–[[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|09]]
| "[[Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)]]" (1); "[[Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day song)|Boulevard of Broken Dreams]]"† (6); "[[American Idiot (song)|American Idiot]]" (1); "[[21 Guns (song)|21 Guns]]" (3)
|-
| [[Aerosmith]]
| align="center| [[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]–[[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|98]]
| rowspan="3" align="center" | 10
| "[[Janie's Got a Gun]]"‡ (2); "[[The Other Side (Aerosmith song)|The Other Side]]" (1); "[[Livin' on the Edge]]"‡ (1); "[[Cryin']]"† (3);  "[[Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)]]" (1); "[[Pink (Aerosmith song)|Pink]]" (1); "[[I Don't Want to Miss a Thing]]" (1)
|-
| [[BTS]]
| align="center| [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]–[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|22]]
| "[[Boy with Luv]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group|Best Group]] (4); "[[On (song)|On]]" (3); "[[Butter (song)|Butter]]" (2)
|-
| [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]]
| align="center| [[1992 MTV Video Music Awards|1992]]–[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|22]]
| "[[Give It Away (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)|Give It Away]]" (2); "[[Under the Bridge]]"‡ (1); Best Artist Website; "[[Californication (song)|Californication]]"‡ (2); [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]];  "[[Dani California]]"‡ (1); Global Icon Award; [[Black Summer]] (1)
|-
| [[Fatboy Slim]]
| align="center" |[[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]–[[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|01]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| 9
| "[[Praise You]]" (3); "[[Weapon of Choice (song)|Weapon of Choice]]"‡ (6)
|-
| [[Janet Jackson]]
| align="center| [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]–[[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|95]]
| "[[Nasty (Janet Jackson song)|Nasty]]" (1); "[[The Pleasure Principle (song)|The Pleasure Principle]]" (1); "[[Rhythm Nation]]" (1); [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award|Video Vanguard Award]];  "[[Love Will Never Do (Without You)]]" (1); "[[If (Janet Jackson song)|If]]" (1); "[[Scream (Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson song)|Scream]]"‡ (3)
|-
| [[Kendrick Lamar]]
| align="center| [[2015 MTV Video Music Awards|2015]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Alright (Kendrick Lamar song)|Alright]]"‡ (1); "[[Humble (song)|HUMBLE.]]"† (6); "[[All the Stars]]" (1); "[[Not Like Us]]" (1)
|-
| [[A-ha]]
| align="center| [[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| rowspan="6" align="center" | 8
| "[[Take On Me]]"‡ (6); "[[The Sun Always Shines on T.V.]]" (2)
|-
| [[Coldplay]]
| align="center" |[[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|2002]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Trouble (Coldplay song)|Trouble]]" (1); "[[The Scientist (song)|The Scientist]]" (3); "[[Paradise (Coldplay song)|Paradise]]" (1); "[[Up&Up]]" (1); "[[Orphans (Coldplay song)|Orphans]]" (1); "[[All My Love (Coldplay song)|All My Love]]" (1)
|-
| [[Lil Nas X]]
| align="center| [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]–[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|22]]
| "[[Old Town Road]]"‡ (2); "[[Montero (Call Me by Your Name)]]"† (3) "[[Industry Baby]]"‡ (3)
|- 
| [[Michael Jackson]]
| align="center| [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]–[[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|95]]
| "[[Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)|Thriller]]"‡ (3); [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award|Video Vanguard Award]];  "[[Leave Me Alone (Michael Jackson song)|Leave Me Alone]]"‡ (1); "[[Scream (Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson song)|Scream]]"‡ (3)
|-
| [[Nicki Minaj]]
| align="center" | [[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|2011]]–[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| "[[Super Bass]]" (1); "[[Starships (song)|Starships]]" (1); "[[Anaconda (Nicki Minaj song)|Anaconda]]" (1); "[[Chun-Li (song)|Chun-Li]]" (1); "[[Hot Girl Summer]]" (1); "[[Do We Have a Problem?]]" (1); [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]]; "[[Super Freaky Girl]]"‡ (1)
|-
| [[Billie Eilish]]
| align="center" | [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Bad Guy (Billie Eilish song)|Bad Guy]]"‡ (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]; Push Artist of the Year; "[[Lo Vas a Olvidar]]" (1); "[[Your Power]]" (1); "[[Happier Than Ever (song)|Happier Than Ever]]" (1); "[[What Was I Made For?|What Was I Made For]]" (1); "[[Guess (song)|Guess]]" (1)
|-
| [[Rihanna]]
| align="center| [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards|2007]]–[[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|18]]
| rowspan="8" align="center" | 7
| "[[Umbrella (music video)|Umbrella]]"† (2); "[[Live Your Life (T.I. song)|Live Your Life]]" (1); "[[We Found Love]]"† (1); "[[This Is What You Came For]]" (1);{{efn|name=featured artists}} [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]]; "[[Lemon (N.E.R.D and Rihanna song)|Lemon]]" (1)
|-
| [[NSYNC]]
| align="center| [[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000]]–[[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|01]]
| "[[Bye Bye Bye]]"‡ (3); "[[Pop (NSYNC song)|Pop]]" (4)
|-
| [[The Smashing Pumpkins]]
| align="center| [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]
| "[[Tonight, Tonight (The Smashing Pumpkins song)|Tonight, Tonight]]"† (6); "[[1979 (song)|1979]]" (1)
|-
| [[Jay-Z]]
| align="center| [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]–[[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|14]]
| "[[Can I Get A...]]" (1); "[[99 Problems]]"‡ (4); "[[Empire State of Mind]]" (1); "[[Drunk in Love]]"‡ (1){{efn|name=featured artists|MTV counted featured artists as nominees for the first time in 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1870248/2014-video-music-awards-nominations-full-list/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717142334/http://www.mtv.com/news/1870248/2014-video-music-awards-nominations-full-list/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 17, 2014|title=2014 MTV Video Music Awards Nominations: Get The Full List|website=MTV|date=August 26, 2014|access-date=July 11, 2015|first=Gil|last=Kaufman}}</ref> as they did for the 2016<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/vma/7453279/beyonce-adele-lead-nominees-2016-mtv-video-music-awards | title=Beyonce, Adele Lead Nominees for 2016 MTV Video Music Awards | magazine=Billboard | access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref> and 2018<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/vma/8465550/mtv-video-music-awards-nominations-2018|title=Cardi B & The Carters Lead 2018 MTV Video Music Awards Nominations|date=July 16, 2018|access-date=July 17, 2018|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> shows.}}
|-
| [[Katy Perry]]
| align="center| [[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|2011]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| "[[Firework (song)|Firework]]"† (1); "[[E.T. (song)|E.T.]]" (2); "[[Wide Awake (Katy Perry song)|Wide Awake]]"‡ (1); "[[Dark Horse (Katy Perry song)|Dark Horse]]" (1); VMAs Most Iconic Performance; [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]]
|-
| [[Pink (singer)|P!nk]]
| align="center| [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]–[[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|17]]
| "[[Lady Marmalade#Moulin Rouge! version|Lady Marmalade]]"† (2); "[[Get the Party Started]]" (2); "[[Stupid Girls]]" (1); "[[Just Give Me a Reason]]" (1); [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]]
|-
| [[En Vogue]]
| align="center| [[1992 MTV Video Music Awards|1992]]–[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|94]]
| "[[My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)]]" (1); "[[Free Your Mind (song)|Free Your Mind]]"‡ (3); "[[Whatta Man]]" (3)
|-
| [[Shakira]]
| align="center| [[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
|"[[Ojos Así]]" (1); "[[Whenever, Wherever]]" (1); "[[Hips Don't Lie]]"‡ (1); "[[Beautiful Liar]]" (1); [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]]; "[[TQG]]" (1); "[[Soltera (Shakira song)|Soltera]]" (1)
|-
| [[Beck]]
| align="center| [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]–[[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|97]]
| rowspan="9" align="center" | 6
| "[[Where It's At (Beck song)|Where It's At]]" (1); "[[Devils Haircut]]" (2); "[[The New Pollution]]"‡ (3)
|-
| [[Post Malone]]
| align="center| [[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| "[[Rockstar (Post Malone song)|Rockstar]]" (1); "[[Fortnight (song)|Fortnight]]"† (5)
|-
| [[Britney Spears]]
| align="center| [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|2008]]–[[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|11]]
| "[[Piece of Me (Britney Spears song)|Piece of Me]]"† (3); "[[Womanizer (song)|Womanizer]]"‡ (1); "[[Till the World Ends]]" (1); [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]]
|-
| [[Bruno Mars]]
| align="center| [[2013 MTV Video Music Awards|2013]]-[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Locked Out of Heaven]]"‡ (1); "[[Treasure (song)|Treasure]]" (1); "[[Leave the Door Open]]" (2); "[[Apt. (song)|Apt.]]"‡ (1); "[[Die With A Smile]]‡ (1)
|-
| [[Justin Bieber]]
| align="center| [[2010 MTV Video Music Awards|2010]]–[[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|21]]
| "[[Baby (Justin Bieber song)|Baby]]" (1); "[[U Smile]]" (1); "[[Where Are Ü Now]]" (1); "[[Stuck with U]]" (1); [[Peaches (Justin Bieber song)|Peaches]] (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]
|-
| [[Missy Elliott]]
| align="center| [[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]–[[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|19]]
| "[[Work It (Missy Elliott song)|Work It]]"† (2); "[[Lose Control (Missy Elliott song)|Lose Control]]" (2); "[[We Run This]]" (1); [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]]
|-
| [[U2]]
| align="center| [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]–[[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|01]]
| "[[With or Without You]]"‡ (1); "[[When Love Comes to Town]]" (1); "[[Even Better Than the Real Thing]]" (2); "[[Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me]]" (1); [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]]
|-
| [[Ricky Martin]]
| align="center| [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]-[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Livin' la Vida Loca]]"‡ (5); MTV Latin Icon Award
|-
|[[Doja Cat]]
| align="center" |[[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|2020]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
|[[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]; "[[Kiss Me More]]"‡ (1); "[[Best Friend (Saweetie and Doja Cat song)|Best Friend]]" (1); "[[Woman (Doja Cat song)|Woman]]"‡ (1); "[[Attention (Doja Cat song)|Attention]]"‡ (1); "[[Born Again (Lisa song)|Born Again]]" (1)
|-
| [[Paula Abdul]]
| align="center" | [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]–[[1989 MTV Video Music Awards|89]]
| rowspan="13" align="center" | 5
| "[[Nasty (Janet Jackson song)|Nasty]]" (1, as choreographer); "[[Straight Up (Paula Abdul song)|Straight Up]]" (4)
|-
| [[Bruce Springsteen]]
| align="center| [[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]–[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|94]]
|"[[I'm on Fire]]" (1); "[[We Are the World]]"‡ (2); "[[Dancing in the Dark (Bruce Springsteen song)|Dancing in the Dark]]" (1); "[[Streets of Philadelphia]]" (1)
|-
| [[Gnarls Barkley]]
| align="center| [[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006]]–[[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|08]]
| "[[Crazy (Gnarls Barkley song)|Crazy]]" (2); "[[Smiley Faces]]" (1); "[[Run (I'm a Natural Disaster)|Run]]" (2)
|-
| [[Herbie Hancock]]
| align="center| [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]
| "[[Rockit (song)|Rockit]]"‡ (5)
|-
| [[Don Henley]]
| align="center| [[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]–[[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|90]]
| "[[The Boys of Summer (song)|The Boys of Summer]]"† (4); "[[The End of the Innocence (song)|The End of the Innocence]]"‡ (1)
|-
| [[INXS]]
| align="center| [[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|1988]]
| "[[Need You Tonight]] / [[Mediate (song)|Mediate]]"† (5)
|-
| [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]
| align="center| [[1992 MTV Video Music Awards|1992]]–[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|94]]
| "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]"‡ (2); "[[In Bloom]]" (1); "[[Heart-Shaped Box]]"‡ (2)
|-
| [[No Doubt]]
| align="center| [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]–[[2004 MTV Video Music Awards|04]]
| "[[Don't Speak]]"‡ (1); "[[Hey Baby (No Doubt song)|Hey Baby]]" (2); "[[It's My Life (No Doubt song)|It's My Life]]" (2)
|-
| [[OutKast]]
| align="center| [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]–[[2004 MTV Video Music Awards|04]]
| "[[Ms. Jackson]]" (1); "[[Hey Ya!]]"† (4)
|-
| [[TLC (group)|TLC]]
| align="center| [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]]–[[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|99]]
| "[[Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls]]"† (4); "[[No Scrubs]]" (1)
|-
| [[The White Stripes]]
| align="center| [[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|2002]]–[[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|08]]
| "[[Fell in Love with a Girl]]"‡ (3); "[[Seven Nation Army]]" (1); "[[Conquest (song)|Conquest]]" (1)
|-
| [[J Balvin]]
| align="center| [[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]–[[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|20]]
| "[[Mi Gente (J Balvin and Willy William song)|Mi Gente]]" (1); "[[I Like It (Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin song)|I Like It]]" (1); "[[Con Altura]]" (2); "[[Qué Pena]]" (1)
|- 
| [[Kanye West]]
| align="center| [[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005]]–[[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|17]]
| "[[Jesus Walks]]"‡ (1); "[[Good Life (Kanye West song)|Good Life]]" (1); "[[E.T. (song)|E.T.]]" (1); [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]]; "[[Fade (Kanye West song)|Fade]]" (1)
|}

===Most wins in a single night===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:70%;"
|-
! style="width:25%;"| Artist
! style="width:10%;"| Year
! style="width:13%;"| Number of awards
! style="width:52%;"| Awarded work
|-
| [[Peter Gabriel]]
| align="center"| [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]
| align="center"| 10
| "[[Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel song)|Sledgehammer]]"† (9); Video Vanguard Award (for Gabriel)
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]]
| align="center"| [[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|2023]]
| align="center"| 9
| "[[Anti-Hero (Taylor Swift song)|Anti-Hero]]"† (6); ''[[Midnights (Taylor Swift album)|Midnights]]'' (1); ''[[The Eras Tour]]'' (1); Artist of the Year (for Swift).
|-
| [[A-ha]]
| align="center"| [[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| rowspan="3" align="center"| 8
| "[[Take On Me]]"‡ (6); "[[The Sun Always Shines on T.V.]]" (2)
|-
| [[Lady Gaga]]
| align="center"| [[2010 MTV Video Music Awards|2010]]
| "[[Bad Romance]]"† (7); "[[Telephone (song)|Telephone]]"‡ (1)
|-
| [[Beyoncé]]
| align="center"| [[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|2016]]
| "[[Hold Up (Beyoncé song)|Hold Up]]" (1); ''[[Lemonade (Beyoncé album)#Visuals|Lemonade]]'' (1); "[[Formation (song)|Formation]]"† (6)
|-
| [[The Smashing Pumpkins]]
| align="center"| [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]
| rowspan="3" align="center"| 7
| "[[Tonight, Tonight (The Smashing Pumpkins song)|Tonight, Tonight]]"† (6); "[[1979 (song)|1979]]" (1)
|-
| [[Green Day]]
| align="center"| [[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005]]
| "[[Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day song)|Boulevard of Broken Dreams]]"† (6); "[[American Idiot (song)|American Idiot]]" (1)
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]]
| align="center"| [[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
| "[[Fortnight (Taylor Swift song)|Fortnight]]"† (5); Best Pop (for Swift); Artist of the Year (for Swift).
|-
| [[R.E.M.]]
| align="center"| [[1991 MTV Video Music Awards|1991]]
| rowspan="4" align="center"| 6
| "[[Losing My Religion]]"† (6)
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| align="center"| [[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|1998]]
| "[[Ray of Light (song)|Ray of Light]]"† (5); "[[Frozen (Madonna song)|Frozen]]" (1)
|-
| [[Fatboy Slim]]
| align="center"| [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]
| "[[Weapon of Choice (song)|Weapon of Choice]]"‡ (6)
|-
| [[Kendrick Lamar]]
| align="center"| [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]
| "[[Humble (song)|HUMBLE.]]"† (6)
|-
| [[Herbie Hancock]]
| align="center"| [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]
| rowspan="6" align="center"| 5
| "[[Rockit (song)|Rockit]]"‡ (5)
|-
| [[INXS]]
| align="center"| [[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|1988]]
| "[[Need You Tonight]]/[[Mediate (song)|Mediate]]"† (5)
|-
| [[Beck]]
| align="center"| [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]
| "[[The New Pollution]]"‡ (3); "[[Devils Haircut]]" (2)
|-
| [[Ricky Martin]]
| align="center"| [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]
| "[[Livin' La Vida Loca]]"‡ (5)
|-
| [[Lady Gaga]] 
| align="center"| [[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|2020]]
| "[[Rain on Me (Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande song)|Rain on Me]]"‡ (3); Artist of the Year (for Gaga); Tricon Award (for Gaga)
|-
| [[Post Malone]] 
| align="center"| [[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
| "[[Fortnight (Taylor Swift song)|Fortnight]]"† (5)
|}

===Most wins for a single video===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:65%;"
|-
! style="width:25%;"| Artist(s)
! style="width:10%;"| Year
! style="width:13%;"| Number of awards
! style="width:52%;"| Music video
|-
| [[Peter Gabriel]]
| align="center"| [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]
| align="center"| 9
| "[[Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel song)|Sledgehammer]]"†
|-
| [[Lady Gaga]]
| align="center"| [[2010 MTV Video Music Awards|2010]]
| align="center"| 7
| "[[Bad Romance]]"†
|-
| [[A-ha]]
| align="center"| [[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| rowspan="8" align="center"| 6
| "[[Take On Me]]"‡
|-
| [[R.E.M.]]
| align="center"| [[1991 MTV Video Music Awards|1991]]
| "[[Losing My Religion]]"†
|-
| [[The Smashing Pumpkins]]
| align="center"| [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]
| "[[Tonight, Tonight (The Smashing Pumpkins song)|Tonight, Tonight]]"†
|-
| [[Fatboy Slim]] <br>(<small>featuring [[Bootsy Collins]]</small>)
| align="center"| [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]
| "[[Weapon of Choice (song)|Weapon of Choice]]"‡
|-
| [[Green Day]]
| align="center"| [[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005]]
| "[[Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day song)|Boulevard of Broken Dreams]]"†
|-
| [[Beyoncé]]
| align="center"| [[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|2016]]
| "[[Formation (song)|Formation]]"†
|-
| [[Kendrick Lamar]]
| align="center"| [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]
| "[[Humble (song)|HUMBLE.]]"†
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]]
| align="center"| [[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|2023]]
| "[[Anti-Hero (song)|Anti-Hero]]"†
|-
| [[Herbie Hancock]]
| align="center"| [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]
| rowspan="5" align="center"| 5
| "[[Rockit (song)|Rockit]]"‡
|-
| [[INXS]]
| align="center"| [[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|1988]]
| "[[Need You Tonight]] / [[Mediate (song)|Mediate]]"†
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| align="center"| [[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|1998]]
| "[[Ray of Light (song)|Ray of Light]]"†
|-
| [[Ricky Martin]]
| align="center"| [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]
| "[[Livin' La Vida Loca]]"‡
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]] (<small>featuring [[Post Malone]]</small>)
| align="center"| [[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
| "[[Fortnight (song)|Fortnight]]"†
|}

==Most nominations==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%;"
|+Key
|† 
|indicates an [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]]–winning video.
|-
|‡ 
|indicates an [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]]–nominated video
|-
|*
|indicates a video won at least 1 award
|}
===Most nominations overall===

{|class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:16%;"| Artist
! style="width:8%;"| Years
! style="width:9%;"| Number of nominations
! style="width:67%;"| Nominated work
|-
| [[Beyoncé]] 
| align="center| [[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| align="center| 85
| "[[Crazy in Love (Beyoncé song)|Crazy in Love]]"* (4); "[[Me, Myself and I (Beyoncé song)|Me, Myself and I]]" (1); "[[Naughty Girl (Beyoncé song)|Naughty Girl]]"* (4); "[[Check on It]]"* (1); "[[Beautiful Liar]]"* (4); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Female Artist of the Year]]; "[[Irreplaceable (song)|Irreplaceable]]"‡  (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Quadruple Threat of the Year|Quadruple Threat of the Year]]; "[[Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)]]"*† (9); "[[Video Phone (song)|Video Phone]]" (5); "[[Run the World (Girls)]]"* (3); "[[Countdown (Beyoncé song)|Countdown]]"* (3); "[[Love On Top]]" (1); "[[I Was Here (song)|I Was Here]]" (1); "[[Pretty Hurts (song)|Pretty Hurts]]"* (4); "[[Drunk in Love]]"*‡ (2); "[[Partition (song)|Partition]]" (2); "[[7/11 (song)|7/11]]"*‡ (5); "[[Hold Up (Beyoncé song)|Hold Up]]"* (2); ''[[Lemonade (Beyoncé album)#Visuals|Lemonade]]''* (1); "[[Formation (song)|Formation]]"*† (6); "[[Freedom (Beyoncé song)|Freedom]]" (1); "[[Sorry (Beyoncé song)|Sorry]]" (1); "[[Apeshit]]"* (8); "[[Walk on Water (Eminem song)|Walk on Water]]" (1); "[[Savage (Megan Thee Stallion song)|Savage]] (remix)" (1); "[[Already (Beyoncé song)|Already]]" (1); "[[Brown Skin Girl]]"* (2); "[[Break My Soul]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]] (2); "[[Cuff It]]" (1); [[Renaissance World Tour]] (1); ''[[Renaissance (Beyoncé album)|Renaissance]]'' (1); "[[Texas Hold 'Em (song)|Texas Hold 'Em]]" (2); VMAs Most Iconic Performance
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| align="center| [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| 71
| "[[Borderline (Madonna song)|Borderline]]" (1);  "[[Like a Virgin (Madonna song)|Like a Virgin]]" (3); "[[Material Girl]]" (2); "[[Dress You Up]]" (1); "Like a Virgin" ([[The Virgin Tour|live]])(1); "[[Open Your Heart (Madonna song)|Open Your Heart]]" (3); "[[Papa Don't Preach]]"* (3); "[[Express Yourself (Madonna song)|Express Yourself]]"* (5); "[[Like a Prayer (song)|Like a Prayer]]"*‡ (2); "[[Vogue (Madonna song)|Vogue]]"*‡ (9); ''[[The Immaculate Collection (video)|The Immaculate Collection]]''* (1); "Like a Virgin" ([[Truth or Dare (Madonna documentary)|Truth or Dare]])(2); "[[Holiday (Madonna song)|Holiday]]" (Truth or Dare)(4); "[[Rain (Madonna song)|Rain]]"* (2); "[[I'll Remember (Madonna song)|I'll Remember]]" (1); "[[Human Nature (Madonna song)|Human Nature]]" (2); "[[Take a Bow (Madonna song)|Take a Bow]]"* (2); "[[You'll See]]" (1); "[[Ray of Light (song)|Ray of Light]]"*† (8); "[[Frozen (Madonna song)|Frozen]]"* (1); "[[Beautiful Stranger]]"* (3); [[Nothing Really Matters (Madonna song)|Nothing Really Matters]]" (1); "[[American Pie (song)|American Pie]]" (1); "[[Don't Tell Me (Madonna song)|Don't Tell Me]]" (2); "[[Die Another Day (song)|Die Another Day]]" (1); "[[Hung Up]]"‡ (5); "[[4 Minutes]]" (1); ''[[Madame X (2021 film)|Madame X]]'' (1); VMAs Most Iconic Performance (2)
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]]
| align="center" | [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|2008]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Teardrops on My Guitar]]" (1); "[[You Belong with Me]]"* (1); "[[Fifteen (Taylor Swift song)|Fifteen]]" (1); "[[Mean (Taylor Swift song)|Mean]]" (1); "[[I Knew You Were Trouble]]"*‡ (2); "[[Blank Space]]"* (2); "[[Bad Blood (Taylor Swift song)|Bad Blood]]"*† (8); "[[I Don't Wanna Live Forever]]"* (1); "[[Look What You Made Me Do]]" (3); "[[You Need to Calm Down]]"*† (9); "[[Me!]]"* (3); "[[The Man (Taylor Swift song)|The Man]]"*‡ (3); "[[Lover (Taylor Swift song)|Lover]]" (2); "[[Cardigan (song)|Cardigan]]" (1); "[[Willow (Taylor Swift song)|Willow]]" (3); [[All Too Well: The Short Film]]*† (5); "[[Anti-Hero (Taylor Swift song)|Anti-Hero]]"*† (7); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]* (4); [[The Eras Tour]]* (1); ''[[Midnights (Taylor Swift album)|Midnights]]''* (1); "[[Karma (Taylor Swift song)|Karma]]" (1); "[[Fortnight (song)|Fortnight]]"*† (9); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video|Best Pop]]*; VMAs Most Iconic Performance
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| align="center| [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| align="center| 69
| "[[Guilty Conscience (Eminem song)|Guilty Conscience]]" (1); "[[My Name Is]]"* (3); "[[Forgot About Dre]]"* (1) "[[The Real Slim Shady]]"*† (6); "[[Stan (Eminem song)|Stan]]"‡ (5); "[[Without Me (Eminem song)|Without Me]]"*† (6); "[[Lose Yourself]]"*‡ (5); "[[Just Lose It]]" (1); "[[Mosh (Eminem song)|Mosh]]" (1); "[[Smack That]]" (1); "[[We Made You]]"*‡ (4); "[[Not Afraid]]"*‡ (8); "[[Love the Way You Lie]]" (4); "[[Berzerk (Eminem song)|Berzerk]]" (1); "[[The Monster (Eminem song)|The Monster]]" (3); "[[Rap God]]"* (3); "[[River (Eminem song)|River]]" (1); "[[Walk on Water (Eminem song)|Walk on Water]]" (1); "[[Godzilla (Eminem song)|Godzilla]]"‡ (2); "[[From the D 2 the LBC]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; "[[Houdini (Eminem song) |Houdini]]"*‡ (6); VMAs Most Iconic Performance; "[[Murdergram Deux]]" (1); "[[Somebody Save Me (Eminem song)|Somebody Save Me]]" (2)
|-
| [[Ariana Grande]]
| align="center| [[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|2014]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| align="center" | 57
| "[[Problem (Ariana Grande song)|Problem]]"* (4); "[[Bang Bang (Jessie J song)|Bang Bang]]" (1); "[[Love Me Harder]]" (1); "[[Let Me Love You (Ariana Grande song)|Let Me Love You]]" (1); "[[Into You (Ariana Grande song)|Into You]]" (4); "[[Side to Side]]" (1); "[[No Tears Left to Cry]]"*‡ (4); "[[7 Rings]]"* (3); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]* (5); "[[Boyfriend (Ariana Grande and Social House song)|Boyfriend]]"* (1); "[[God is a Woman]]" (1); "[[Rule the World (2 Chainz song)|Rule the World]]" (1); "[[Thank U, Next (song)|Thank U, Next]]"‡ (5); "[[Rain on Me (Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande song)|Rain On Me]]"*‡ (7); "[[Stuck With U]]" (2); "[[34+35]]" (1); "[[Positions (Ariana Grande song)|Positions]]" (1); Best Metaverse Performance; "[[The Boy Is Mine (Ariana Grande song)|The Boy Is Mine]]" (1); "[[We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)]]"*‡ (5); Best Pop Artist; [[Brighter Days Ahead]]*† (6)
|-
| [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]
| align="center| [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|2009]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| align="center| 53
| "[[Best I Ever Had]]" (1); "[[Find Your Love]]" (1); "[[Forever (Drake song)|Forever]]" (1); "[[HYFR]]"* (1); [[Take Care (song)|Take Care]]"‡ (4); "[[Started from the Bottom]]" (2); "[[Hold On, We're Going Home]]"* (1); "[[Hotline Bling]]"*‡ (4); "[[One Dance]]" (1); "[[Work (Rihanna song)|Work]]" (2); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]] (2); "[[God's Plan (Drake song)|God's Plan]]"‡ (5); "[[Walk It Talk It]]" (1); "[[In My Feelings]]" (2); "[[Sicko Mode]]" (1); "[[Mia (Bad Bunny song)|Mia]]" (1); "[[Life Is Good (song)|Life Is Good]]"‡ (3); "[[Toosie Slide]]" (1); "[[Popstar (DJ Khaled song)|Popstar]]"‡ (3); "[[Laugh Now Cry Later]]" (2); "[[What's Next (Drake song)|What's Next]]" (1); ''[[Certified Lover Boy]]'' (1); "[[Wait for U]]" (2); "[[Way 2 Sexy]]"‡ (3); [[It's All a Blur Tour]] (1); "[[Falling Back (Drake song)|Falling Back]]" (1); ''[[Her Loss]]'' (1); "[[Staying Alive (DJ Khaled song)|Staying Alive]]" (1); "[[Rich Baby Daddy]]" (2); "[[Nokia (Drake song)|Nokia]]" (1)
|-
| [[Lady Gaga]]
| align="center| [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|2009]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| align="center| 52
| "[[Paparazzi (Lady Gaga song)|Paparazzi]]"* (5); "[[Poker Face (Lady Gaga song)|Poker Face]]"*‡ (4); "[[Bad Romance]]"*† (10); "[[Telephone (song)|Telephone]]"*‡ (3); "[[Born This Way (song)|Born This Way]]"* (2); "[[Judas (Lady Gaga song)|Judas]]" (2); "[[Shallow (Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper song)|Shallow]]" (2); "[[Rain on Me (Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande song)|Rain on Me]]"*‡ (7); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]* (2); Best Quarantine Performance; "[[911 (Lady Gaga song)|911]]" (2); VMAs Most Iconic Performance; "[[Abracadabra (Lady Gaga song)|Abracadabra]]"* (6); "[[Die with a Smile|Die With A Smile]]"*‡ (4); ''[[Mayhem (Lady Gaga album)|Mayhem]]'' (1)
|-
| [[Kendrick Lamar]]
| align="center| [[2013 MTV Video Music Awards|2013]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| align="center| 41
| "[[Swimming Pools (Drank)]]" (2); "[[Alright (Kendrick Lamar song)|Alright]]"*‡ (4); "[[Freedom (Beyoncé song)|Freedom]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]] (2); "[[Humble (song)|HUMBLE.]]"*† (7); "[[All the Stars]]"* (1); "[[Tints (Anderson Paak song)|Tints]]" (2); "[[Family Ties (Baby Keem song)|Family Ties]]" (3); "[[The Heart Part 5]]" (2); "[[N95 (song)|N95]]" (2); "[[Count Me Out (Kendrick Lamar song)|Count Me Out]]" (2); "[[Rich Spirit]]" (1); "[[Like That (Future song)|Like That]]" (1); "[[Not Like Us]]"*‡ (9); ''[[GNX (album)|GNX]]'' (1); "[[Luther (song)|Luther]]" (1)
|-
| [[Justin Bieber]]
| align="center| [[2010 MTV Video Music Awards|2010]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| 39
| "[[Baby (Justin Bieber song)|Baby]]"* (1); "[[U Smile]]"* (1); "[[Boyfriend (Justin Bieber song)|Boyfriend]]" (3); "[[thatPOWER|#thatPOWER]]" (1); "[[Where Are Ü Now]]"* (4); ''[[Purpose (Justin Bieber album)|Purpose: The Movement]]'' (1); "[[Sorry (Justin Bieber song)|Sorry]]"‡ (2); "[[Cold Water (song)|Cold Water]]" (2); "[[Despacito]]" (remix) (1); "[[I'm the One (DJ Khaled song)|I'm the One]]" (1); "[[No Brainer (DJ Khaled song)|No Brainer]]" (1); "[[I Don't Care (Ed Sheeran song)|I Don't Care]]" (2); "[[Intentions (Justin Bieber song)|Intentions]]" (1); "[[Stuck with U]]"* (2); "[[Peaches (Justin Bieber song)|Peaches]]"* (4); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]* (2); "[[Holy (Justin Bieber song)|Holy]]" (1); "[[Popstar (DJ Khaled song)|Popstar]]"‡ (2); "[[Stay (The Kid Laroi song)|Stay]]" (4); Best Metaverse Performance; "[[Daisies (Justin Bieber song)|Daisies]]" (1); Best Pop Artist
|-
| [[Billie Eilish]]
| align="center" | [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; "[[Bad Guy (Billie Eilish song)|Bad Guy]]"*‡ (5); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]*; "[[Hostage (Billie Eilish song)|Hostage]]" (1); Push Artist of the Year*; "[[When the Party's Over (song)|When the Party's Over]]" (1); "[[All the Good Girls Go to Hell]]" (3); "[[Everything I Wanted]]"‡ (2); "[[Xanny (song)|Xanny]]" (1); "[[Lo Vas a Olvidar]]"* (1); "[[Therefore I Am (song)|Therefore I Am]]" (2); "[[Your Power]]"* (2); "[[Happier Than Ever (song)|Happier Than Ever]]"* (5); ''[[Happier Than Ever]]'' (1); ''[[Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles]]'' (1); "[[What Was I Made For?|What Was I Made For]]"* (2); "[[Lunch (Billie Eilish song)|Lunch]]"‡ (1); "[[Birds of a Feather (Billie Eilish song)|Birds of a Feather]]"‡ (3); "[[Guess (Charli XCX song)|Guess]]"* (5)
|-
| [[Janet Jackson]]
| align="center| [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]–[[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|01]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| 38
| "[[Nasty (Janet Jackson song)|Nasty]]"* (3); "[[When I Think of You]]" (1); "[[The Pleasure Principle (song)|The Pleasure Principle]]"* (2); "[[Rhythm Nation]]"* (2); "[[Love Will Never Do (Without You)]]"* (3); "[[That's the Way Love Goes (Janet Jackson song)|That's the Way Love Goes]]" (3); "[[If (Janet Jackson song)|If]]"* (3); "[[Scream (Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson song)|Scream]]"*‡ (11); "[[Runaway (Janet Jackson song)|Runaway]]" (1); "[[Together Again (Janet Jackson song)|Together Again]]" (1); "[[What's It Gonna Be?!]]" (4); "[[All for You (Janet Jackson song)|All for You]]"‡ (4)
|-
| [[U2]]
| align="center| [[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| "[[Pride (In the Name of Love)]]" (1); "[[With or Without You]]"*‡ (7); "[[I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For]]"‡ (4); "[[Where the Streets Have No Name]]"‡ (4); "[[When Love Comes to Town]]"* (1); "[[Even Better Than the Real Thing]]"* (3); "[[Stay (Faraway, So Close!)]]" (1); "[[Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me]]"* (2); "[[Beautiful Day]]"‡ (1); "[[Elevation (U2 song)|Elevation]] (Tomb Raider Mix)" (4); "[[Vertigo (U2 song)|Vertigo]]" (5); "[[Original of the Species]]" (2); "[[The Saints Are Coming]]" (1); "Where the Streets Have No Name" (1); "[[Atomic City (U2 song)|Atomic City]]" (1)
|-
| [[Kanye West]]
| align="center| [[2004 MTV Video Music Awards|2004]]–[[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|19]]
| align="center| 37
| "[[All Falls Down]]" (4); "[[Jesus Walks]]"*‡ (3); "[[Gold Digger (Kanye West song)|Gold Digger]]" (3); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video|Male Artist of the Year]]; [[MTV Video Music Award for Quadruple Threat of the Year|Quadruple Threat of the Year]]; "[[Stronger (Kanye West song)|Stronger]]"‡ (3); "[[Good Life (Kanye West song)|Good Life]]"* (1); "[[Homecoming (Kanye West song)|Homecoming]]" (1); "[[Love Lockdown]]"‡ (3); "[[Paranoid (Kanye West song)|Paranoid]]" (1); "[[All of the Lights]]" (4); "[[Power (Kanye West song)|Power]]" (2); "[[Otis (song)|Otis]]" (1); "[[Mercy (Kanye West song)|Mercy]]" (2); "[[Niggas in Paris|Paris]]" (2); "[[Black Skinhead]]" (1); "[[Famous (Kanye West song)|Famous]]"‡ (2); "[[Fade (Kanye West song)|Fade]]"* (1); "[[I Love It (Lil Pump and Kanye West song)|I Love It]]" (1)
|-
| [[Aerosmith]]
| align="center| [[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|1988]]–[[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|01]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| 36
| "[[Dude (Looks Like a Lady)]]" (2); "[[Rag Doll (Aerosmith song)|Rag Doll]]" (1); "[[Janie's Got a Gun]]"*‡ (8); "[[The Other Side (Aerosmith song)|The Other Side]]"* (1); ''[[Pump (album)|Things That Go Pump in the Night]]'' (1); "[[Livin' on the Edge]]"*‡ (6); [[Amazing (Aerosmith song)|Amazing]]" (5); "[[Cryin']]"*† (4);  "[[Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)]]"* (1); "[[Pink (Aerosmith song)|Pink]]"* (2); "[[I Don't Want to Miss a Thing]]"* (2); "[[Jaded (Aerosmith song)|Jaded]]" (3)
|-
| [[Jay-Z]]
| align="center| [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]–[[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|21]]
| "[[Can I Get A...]]"* (3); "[[Big Pimpin']]" (1); "[[I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)]]" (1); "[[03 Bonnie & Clyde]]" (1); "[[99 Problems]]"*‡ (6); [[MTV Video Music Award for Quadruple Threat of the Year|Quadruple Threat of the Year]]; "[[Umbrella (song)|Umbrella]]"*† (3); "[[D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)]]" (2); "[[Empire State of Mind]]"* (3); "[[On to the Next One]]" (1); "[[Otis (song)|Otis]]" (1); "[[Niggas in Paris|Paris]]" (2); "[[Drunk in Love]]"*‡ (2); "[[Apeshit]]"*‡ (8); "Entrepreneur" (1)
|-
| [[Missy Elliott]]
| align="center| [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| "[[The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)]]" (3); "[[Get Ur Freak On]]"‡ (6); "[[One Minute Man]]" (remix) (6); "[[Work It (Missy Elliott song)|Work It]]"*† (8); "[[I'm Really Hot]]" (2); "[[Lose Control (Missy Elliott song)|Lose Control]]"* (6); "[[We Run This]]"* (1); "[[Ching-a-Ling]]/[[Shake Your Pom Pom]]" (1); "[[WTF (Where They From)]]" (1); "[[Tempo (Lizzo song)|Tempo]]" (1); VMAs Most Iconic Performance
|-
| [[Ed Sheeran]]
| align="center| [[2013 MTV Video Music Awards|2013]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| 35
| "[[Lego House]]" (1); "[[Sing (Ed Sheeran song)|Sing]]"* (1); "[[Don't (Ed Sheeran song)|Don't]]" (2); "[[Thinking Out Loud]]"‡ (4); "[[Castle on the Hill]]" (1); "[[Shape of You]]" (2); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]* (2); "[[Perfect (Ed Sheeran song)|Perfect]]" (3); "[[River (Eminem song)|River]]" (1); "[[I Don't Care (Ed Sheeran song)|I Don't Care]]" (2); "[[Beautiful People (Ed Sheeran song)|Beautiful People]]" (1); "[[Bad Habits (Ed Sheeran song)|Bad Habits]]"‡ (4); "[[Bam Bam (Camila Cabello song)|Bam Bam]]" (1); "[[Shivers (Ed Sheeran song)|Shivers]]"‡ (3);  [[- Tour]] (1); "[[Eyes Closed (Ed Sheeran song)|Eyes Closed]]" (2); "[[Sapphire (song)|Sapphire]]" (4)
|-
| [[The Weeknd]]
| align="center| [[2013 MTV Video Music Awards|2013]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Wicked Games]]" (2); "[[Earned It]]" (1); "[[Love Me Harder (Ariana Grande song)|Love Me Harder]]" (1); "[[Can't Feel My Face]]" (3); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]] (3); "[[Reminder (The Weeknd song)|Reminder]]"‡ (4); "[[Blinding Lights]]"*† (6); "[[Save Your Tears]]"‡ (1); "[[You Right]]" (1); "[[Out of Time (The Weeknd song)|Out of Time]]"* (1); "[[Take My Breath]]" (1); "[[Tears in the Club]]" (1); "[[La Fama (song)|La Fama]]" (1); "[[One Right Now]]" (1); "[[Creepin' (Metro Boomin song)|Creepin']]" (2); ''[[Hurry Up Tomorrow]]'' (album)(1); ''[[Hurry Up Tomorrow (film)|Hurry Up Tomorrow]]'' (film)(2); "[[Timeless (The Weeknd and Playboi Carti song)|Timeless]]"‡ (3)
|-
| [[Green Day]]
| align="center| [[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|1994]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| 33
| "[[Longview (song)|Longview]]" (3); "[[Basket Case (song)|Basket Case]]"‡ (9); "[[Walking Contradiction]]" (1); "[[Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)]]"* (2); "[[Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day song)|Boulevard of Broken Dreams]]"*† (6); "[[American Idiot (song)|American Idiot]]"* (2); "[[Wake Me Up When September Ends]]" (1); "[[The Saints Are Coming]]" (1); "[[21 Guns (song)|21 Guns]]"* (3); "[[21st Century Breakdown (song)|21st Century Breakdown]]" (1); "[[Bang Bang (Green Day song)|Bang Bang]]" (1); "[[Oh Yeah! (Green Day song)|Oh Yeah!]]" (1); "[[Dilemma (Green Day song)|Dilemma]]" (1); "[[One Eyed Bastard]]" (1)
|-
| [[Bruno Mars]]
| align="center" | [[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|2011]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Grenade (Bruno Mars song)|Grenade]]"‡ (3); "[[The Lazy Song]]" (1); "[[Locked Out of Heaven]]"*‡ (3); "[[Treasure (Bruno Mars song)|Treasure]]"* (1); "[[24K Magic (song)|24K Magic]]"‡ (3); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]] (2); "[[Finesse (Bruno Mars song)|Finesse]]"‡ (Remix) (5); "[[Please Me (song)|Please Me]]" (1); "[[Leave the Door Open]]"* (3); "[[Apt. (song)|Apt]]."*‡ (7); "[[Die with a Smile]]"*‡ (4)
|-
| [[Michael Jackson]]
| align="center| [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]–[[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|14]]
| rowspan="4" align="center| 32
| "[[Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)|Thriller]]"*‡ (6); "[[Bad (Michael Jackson song)|Bad]]" (1); "[[The Way You Make Me Feel]]" (1); "[[Leave Me Alone (Michael Jackson song)|Leave Me Alone]]"*‡ (6); "[[Smooth Criminal]]" (3); "[[In the Closet]]" (1); "[[Black or White]]" (1); "[[Jam (Michael Jackson song)|Jam]]" (1); "[[Scream (Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson song)|Scream]]"*‡ (11); [[Love Never Felt So Good]]" (1)
|-
| [[Katy Perry]]
| align="center| [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|2008]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| "[[I Kissed a Girl]]" (5); "[[Hot n Cold]]" (1); "[[California Gurls]]" (2); "[[Firework (song)|Firework]]"*† (3); "[[E.T. (song)|E.T.]]"* (5); "[[Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)]]" (1); "[[Teenage Dream (Katy Perry song)|Teenage Dream]]" (1); "[[Part of Me (Katy Perry song)|Part of Me]]" (1); "[[Wide Awake (Katy Perry song)|Wide Awake]]"*‡ (3); "[[Birthday (Katy Perry song)|Birthday]]" (1); "[[Dark Horse (Katy Perry song)|Dark Horse]]"* (2); "[[Bon Appétit (Katy Perry song)|Bon Appétit]]" (1); "[[Chained to the Rhythm]]" (3); "[[Feels (Calvin Harris song)|Feels]]" (1); "[[Harleys in Hawaii]]: (1); VMAs Most Iconic Performance*
|-
| [[Shakira]]
| align="center| [[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
|"[[Ojos Así]]"* (2); "[[Whenever, Wherever]]"* (7); "[[La Tortura]]" (3); "[[Hips Don't Lie]]"*‡ (7); "[[Beautiful Liar]]"* (4); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Latin|Latino Artist of the Year]]; "[[Chantaje]]" (1); "[[Girl Like Me (Black Eyed Peas song)|Girl Like Me]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; "[[Acróstico]]" (1); "[[TQG]]"* (2); "[[Puntería]]" (1); "[[Soltera (Shakira song)|Soltera]]"* (1)
|-
| [[Coldplay]]
| align="center| [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Yellow (Coldplay song)|Yellow]]" (1); "[[Trouble (Coldplay song)|Trouble]]"* (2); "[[The Scientist (song)|The Scientist]]"* (3); "[[Speed of Sound (Coldplay song)|Speed of Sound]]"‡ (4); "[[Violet Hill]]" (2); "[[Viva la Vida]]" (4); "[[Strawberry Swing]]" (1); "[[Paradise (Coldplay song)|Paradise]]"* (1); "[[Princess of China]]" (2); "[[Adventure of a Lifetime]]" (1); "[[Up&Up]]"* (2); "[[A Head Full of Dreams (song)|A Head Full of Dreams]]" (1); "[[Orphans (Coldplay song)|Orphans]]"* (1); "[[Higher Power (Coldplay song)|Higher Power]]" (1); "[[My Universe (Coldplay song)|My Universe]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video|Best Group]] (2); "[[Feels Like I'm Falling in Love]]" (2); "[[All My Love (Coldplay song)|All My Love]]"* (1)
|-
| [[R.E.M.]]
| align="center| [[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|1988]]–[[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|01]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| 31
| "[[The One I Love (R.E.M. song)|The One I Love]]" (1); "[[Orange Crush (song)|Orange Crush]]"* (1); "[[Losing My Religion]]"*† (9); ''[[Tourfilm]]'' (1); "[[Man on the Moon (R.E.M. song)|Man on the Moon]]" (6); "[[Everybody Hurts]]"*‡ (7); "[[What's the Frequency, Kenneth?]]" (1); "[[Tongue (song)|Tongue]]" (1); "[[The Great Beyond]]" (2); "[[Imitation of Life (song)|Imitation of Life]]" (2)
|-
| [[Rihanna]]
| align="center| [[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006]]–[[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|18]]
| "[[SOS (Rihanna song)|SOS]]" (2); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Female Artist of the Year]]; "[[Umbrella (music video)|Umbrella]]"*† (3); "[[Take a Bow (Rihanna song)|Take a Bow]]" (2); "[[Live Your Life (T.I. song)|Live Your Life]]"* (1); "[[Rude Boy (Rihanna song)|Rude Boy]]" (1); "[[We Found Love]]"*† (3); "[[Where Have You Been]]" (2); "[[Stay (Rihanna song)|Stay]]" (1); "[[The Monster (Eminem song)|The Monster]]" (3); "[[American Oxygen]]" (1); "[[This Is What You Came For]]"* (3); "[[Work (Rihanna song)|Work]]" (2); "[[Wild Thoughts]]"‡ (4); "[[Lemon (N.E.R.D and Rihanna song)|Lemon]]"* (2)
|-
| [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]]
| align="center| [[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]–[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| 30
| "[[Higher Ground (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)|Higher Ground]]" (3); "[[Give It Away (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)|Give It Away]]"* (6); "[[Under the Bridge]]"*‡ (3); "[[Warped (song)|Warped]]" (1); Best Artist Website*; "[[Californication (song)|Californication]]"*‡ (5); "[[By the Way (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)|By the Way]]" (1); "[[Dani California]]"*‡ (7); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video|Best Group]]; "[[Black Summer]]"* (1); "[[Tippa My Tongue]]" (1)
|-
| [[Britney Spears]]
| align="center| [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| "[[...Baby One More Time]]" (4); "[[Oops!...I Did It Again (song)|Oops!...I Did It Again]]" (3); "[[(You Drive Me) Crazy]]" (1); "[[Stronger (Britney Spears song)|Stronger]]" (1); "[[I'm a Slave 4 U]]" (3); "[[Boys (Britney Spears song)|Boys]] (The Co-Ed Remix)" (1); "[[Toxic (song)|Toxic]]"‡ (4); "[[Piece of Me (Britney Spears song)|Piece of Me]]"*† (3); "[[Circus (Britney Spears song)|Circus]]" (5); "[[Womanizer (song)|Womanizer]]"*‡ (2); "[[Till the World Ends]]"* (2); VMAs Most Iconic Performance
|-
| [[Cardi B]]
| align="center| [[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]] (2); "[[Bartier Cardi]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]*; "[[Dinero (Jennifer Lopez song)|Dinero]]"* (2); "[[Finesse (Bruno Mars song)|Finesse]]"‡ (Remix) (5); "[[Girls Like You]]" (1); "[[I Like It (Cardi B song)|I Like It]]"* (1); "[[Money (Cardi B song)|Money]]"* (1); "[[Please Me (song)|Please Me]]" (1); "[[Taki Taki]]" (1); "[[Wish Wish]]" (1); "[[WAP (song)|WAP]]"‡ (5); "[[Rumors (Lizzo song)|Rumors]]" (1); "[[Wild Side (Normani song)|Wild Side]]" (4); "[[No Love (Summer Walker song)|No Love]]" (Extended Version)(1); "[[Tomorrow 2]]" (1); "[[Puntería]]" (1)
|-
| [[Foo Fighters]]
| align="center| [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]–[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| 27
| "[[Big Me]]"*‡ (5); "[[Monkey Wrench (song)|Monkey Wrench]]" (2); "[[Everlong]]" (3); "[[Learn to Fly]]" (2); "[[Best of You]]" (2); "[[The Pretender (Foo Fighters song)|The Pretender]]" (1); "Everlong" (1);  "[[Walk (Foo Fighters song)|Walk]]"* (1); "[[Run (Foo Fighters song)|Run]]" (1); "[[The Sky Is a Neighborhood]]" (1); "[[Shame Shame]]" (3); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video|Best Group]] (2); ''[[Studio 666]]'' (1); "[[Love Dies Young]]" (1); "[[The Teacher (Foo Fighters song)|The Teacher]]" (1)
|-
| | [[Doja Cat]]
| align="center| [[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|2020]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]*; "[[Say So]]" (3); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]] (2); "[[Kiss Me More]]"*‡ (2); "[[Best Friend (Saweetie and Doja Cat song)|Best Friend]]"* (1); "[[Need to Know (Doja Cat song)|Need to Know]]" (1); "[[You Right]]" (1); "[[Get Into It (Yuh)]]" (2); "[[Vegas (Doja Cat song)|Vegas]]" (1); "[[Woman (Doja Cat song)|Woman]]"*‡ (4); "[[I Like You (A Happier Song)]]" (2); "[[Attention (Doja Cat song)|Attention]]"*‡ (3); "[[Paint the Town Red (Doja Cat song)|Paint the Town Red]]"‡ (2); "[[Born Again (Lisa song)|Born Again]]"* (1); "[[Jealous Type]]" (1)
|-
| [[Justin Timberlake]]
| align="center| [[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| 26
| "[[Cry Me a River (Justin Timberlake song)|Cry Me a River]]"*‡ (5); "[[Rock Your Body]]"* (2); "[[Señorita (Justin Timberlake song)|Señorita]]" (1); "[[What Goes Around... Comes Around]]"*‡ (3); "Let Me Talk to You/[[My Love (Justin Timberlake song)|My Love]]"* (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video|Male Artist of the Year]]*; [[MTV Video Music Award for Quadruple Threat of the Year|Quadruple Threat of the Year]]*; "[[SexyBack]] (1); "[[Suit & Tie]]"* (2); "[[Mirrors (Justin Timberlake song)|Mirrors]]"*† (4); "[[Love Never Felt So Good]]" (1); "[[Can't Stop the Feeling!]]" (1); "[[Filthy (Justin Timberlake song)|Filthy]]" (1); "[[Say Something (Justin Timberlake song)|Say Something]]" (1); "[[Selfish (Justin Timberlake song)|Selfish]]" (1) 
|-
| [[Miley Cyrus]]
| align="center" | [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[7 Things]]" (2); "[[We Can't Stop]]" (4); "[[Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus song)|Wrecking Ball]]"*† (2); "[[Malibu (Miley Cyrus song)|Malibu]]" (1); "[[Mother's Daughter (Miley Cyrus song)|Mother's Daughter]]"* (4); "[[Midnight Sky]]" (1); [[Prisoner (Miley Cyrus song)|Prisoner]]" (2); ''[[Endless Summer Vacation]]'' (1); "[[Flowers (Miley Cyrus song)|Flowers]]"‡ (4); "[[River (Miley Cyrus song)|River]]" (1) "[[Easy Lover (Miley Cyrus song)|Easy Lover]]" (1); "[[End of the World (Miley Cyrus song)|End Of The World]]" (1); Best Pop Artist; ''[[Something Beautiful (film)|Something Beautiful]]'' (1)
|-
| [[Dua Lipa]]
| align="center| [[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| "[[IDGAF (Dua Lipa song)|IDGAF]]" (1); "[[New Rules]]" (1); "[[One Kiss]]" (2); "[[Electricity (Silk City song)|Electricity]]" (1); "[[Break My Heart (Dua Lipa song)|Break My Heart]]" (1); "[[Don't Start Now]]" (1);  "[[Physical (Dua Lipa song)|Physical]]"* (3); "[[Levitating (Dua Lipa song)|Levitating]]" (2); "[[Prisoner (Miley Cyrus song)|Prisoner]]" (2); "[[Un Dia (One Day)]]" (1); "[[Cold Heart (Elton John song)|Cold Heart (Pnau Remix)]]" (2); "[[Sweetest Pie]]" (3); "[[Dance the Night]]" (3); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video|Best Pop]]; "[[Houdini (Dua Lipa song)|Houdini]]"* (1); "[[Illusion (Dua Lipa song)|Illusion]]" (1)
|-
| [[Megan Thee Stallion]]
| align="center| [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| 25
| "[[Hot Girl Summer]]"* (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]] (2); "[[Savage (Megan Thee Stallion song)|Savage]]"* (2); "[[Savage (Megan Thee Stallion song)|Savage]] (remix)" (1); "[[WAP (song)|WAP]]"‡ (5); "[[On Me (Lil Baby song)|On Me]] (remix)" (1); "[[Thot Shit]]" (1); "[[Sweetest Pie]]" (3); "[[Her (Megan Thee Stallion song)|Her]]" (3); "[[Boa (song)|Boa]]"* (4); "[[Mamushi (song)|Mamushi]]"* (1); "[[Wanna Be (GloRilla song)|Wanna Be]]" (2)
|-
| [[Christina Aguilera]]
| align="center| [[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| "[[What a Girl Wants (Christina Aguilera song)|What a Girl Wants]]" (5); "[[Lady Marmalade#Moulin Rouge! version|Lady Marmalade]]"*† (6); "[[Dirrty]]" (4); "[[The Voice Within]]" (3); "[[Ain't No Other Man]]"‡ (4); "[[Candyman (Christina Aguilera song)|Candyman]]" (1); "[[Feel This Moment]]" (1); VMAs Most Iconic Performance
|-
| [[SZA]]
| align="center" | [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]; Push Artist of the Year; "[[The Weekend (SZA song)|The Weekend]]" (1); "[[All the Stars]]"* (1); "[[Just Us (DJ Khaled song)|Just Us]]" (1); "[[Kiss Me More]]"*‡ (2); "[[Good Days (SZA song)|Good Days]]" (1); "[[No Love (Summer Walker song)|No Love]]" (Extended Version)(1); "[[Shirt (SZA song)|Shirt]]"* (2); ''[[SOS (SZA album)|SOS]]'' (1); "[[Kill Bill (SZA song)|Kill Bill]]"‡ (5); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; "[[Rich Baby Daddy]]" (2); "[[Saturn (SZA song)|Saturn]]" (1); "[[Snooze (SZA song)|Snooze]]"*‡ (2); "[[Drive (SZA song)|Drive]]" (1); "[[Luther (song)|Luther]]" (1)
|-
| [[Nicki Minaj]]
| align="center" | [[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|2011]]–[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| align="center" | 24
| "[[Massive Attack (song)|Massive Attack]]" (1); "[[Moment 4 Life]]" (1); "[[Super Bass]]"* (2); "[[Beez in the Trap]]" (1); "[[Turn Me On (David Guetta song)|Turn Me On]]" (1); "[[Starships (song)|Starships]]"* (1); "[[Anaconda (Nicki Minaj song)|Anaconda]]"* (2); "[[Bang Bang (Jessie J song)|Bang Bang]]" (1); "[[Hey Mama (David Guetta song)|Hey Mama]]" (1); "[[Side to Side]]" (1); "[[Chun-Li (song)|Chun-Li]]"* (1); "[[Hot Girl Summer]]"* (1); "[[Tusa (Karol G song)|Tusa]]" (2); "[[Do We Have a Problem?]]"* (1); "[[Super Freaky Girl]]"*‡ (4); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; "[[Barbie World]]" (1); "[[Love in the Way]]" (1)
|-
| [[Jennifer Lopez]]
| align="center" | [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]–[[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|18]]
| align="center" | 23
| "[[If You Had My Love]]" (4); Best Artist Website; "[[Waiting for Tonight]]"* (2);  "[[Love Don't Cost a Thing (song)|Love Don't Cost a Thing]]" (2); "[[I'm Real (Jennifer Lopez song)|I'm Real (Murder Remix)]]"* (1); "[[I'm Glad]]" (4); "[[Get Right]]" (4); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Latin|Best Latino Artist]]; "[[Dance Again (Jennifer Lopez song)|Dance Again]]" (1); "[[Live It Up (Jennifer Lopez song)|Live It Up]]" (1); "[[Dinero (Jennifer Lopez song)|Dinero]]"* (2)
|-
| [[Peter Gabriel]]
| align="center| [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]–[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|94]]
| rowspan="4" align="center" | 22
| "[[Big Time (Peter Gabriel song)|Big Time]]" (2); "[[Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel song)|Sledgehammer]]"*† (10); "[[Biko (song)|Biko]]" (1); ''POV'' (1); "[[Digging in the Dirt]]"‡ (3); "[[Steam (Peter Gabriel song)|Steam]]"* (3); "Kiss That Frog"* (2)
|-
| [[Lil Nas X]]
| align="center| [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]–[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|22]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]; "[[Old Town Road]]"*‡ (8); "[[Montero (Call Me by Your Name)]]"*† (5) "[[Industry Baby]]"*‡ (7); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]
|-
| [[Linkin Park]]
| align="center| [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Crawling (Linkin Park song)|Crawling]]" (2); "[[In The End]]"*‡ (3); "[[Somewhere I Belong]]"* (1); "[[Breaking the Habit (song)|Breaking the Habit]]"* (2); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video|Best Group]]; "[[What I've Done]]" (2); "[[Bleed It Out]]" (1); "[[Shadow of the Day]]"* (2); "[[Waiting for the End]]" (1); "[[Burn It Down (Linkin Park song)|Burn It Down]]" (2); "[[Until It's Gone (Linkin Park song)|Until It's Gone]]" (1); "[[One More Light (song)|One More Light]]" (1); "[[Lost (Linkin Park song)|Lost]]" (Original) (1); "[[Friendly Fire (song)|Friendly Fire]]" (1); "[[The Emptiness Machine]]" (1)
|-
| [[Post Malone]]
| align="center| [[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]] (2); "[[Rockstar (Post Malone song)|Rockstar]]"* (1); "[[Better Now (Post Malone song)|Better Now]]" (1); "[[Goodbyes (Post Malone song)|Goodbyes]]" (1); "[[Circles (Post Malone song)|Circles]]" (1); Best Quarantine Performance; "[[One Right Now]]" (1); "[[I Like You (A Happier Song)]]" (2); "[[Fortnight (song)|Fortnight]]"*† (9); "[[I Had Some Help]]" (2); "[[Pour Me a Drink]]" (1)
|-
| [[Pink (singer)|P!nk]]
| align="center| [[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000]]–[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| rowspan="4" align="center" | 21
| "[[There You Go]]" (1); "[[Lady Marmalade#Moulin Rouge! version|Lady Marmalade]]"*† (6); "[[Get the Party Started]]"* (3); "[[Stupid Girls]]"* (1); "[[So What (Pink song)|So What]]" (1); "[[Funhouse (Pink song)|Funhouse]]" (2); "[[Fuckin' Perfect]]" (1); "[[Just Give Me a Reason]]"* (3); "[[What About Us (Pink song)|What About Us]]" (1); "[[All I Know So Far]]" (1); "[[Trustfall (song)|Trustfall]]" (1)
|-
| [[Adele]]
| align="center| [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|2008]]–[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| "[[Chasing Pavements]]" (1); "[[Rolling in the Deep]]"*‡ (7); "[[Someone Like You (Adele song)|Someone Like You]]" (1); "[[Hello (Adele song)|Hello]]"‡ (7); "[[Send My Love (To Your New Lover)]]" (1); ''[[30 (Adele album)|30]]'' (1); "[[Easy On Me]]" (1); "[[Oh My God (Adele song)|Oh My God]]" (1); "[[I Drink Wine]]" (1)
|-
| [[BTS]]
| align="center| [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]–[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|22]]
| "[[Boy with Luv]]"* (4); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group|Best Group]]* (4); "[[On (song)|On]]"* (3); "[[Butter (song)|Butter]]"* (5); "[[Dynamite (BTS song)|Dynamite]]" (1); Best Metaverse Performance; "[[My Universe (Coldplay song)|My Universe]]" (1); "[[Permission to Dance]]" (1); "[[Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)]]" (1)
|-
| [[Chris Brown]]
| align="center| [[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Run It!]]" (2); "[[Yo (Excuse Me Miss)]]" (1); "[[Wall to Wall (song)|Wall to Wall]]" (1); "[[Forever (Chris Brown song)|Forever]]"‡ (3); "[[Kiss Kiss (Chris Brown song)|Kiss Kiss]]" (1); "[[With You (Chris Brown song)|With You]]"* (1); "[[Look at Me Now (Chris Brown song)|Look at Me Now]]" (2); "[[Turn Up the Music (Chris Brown song)|Turn Up the Music]]"* (2); "[[Fine China (Chris Brown song)|Fine China]]" (1); "[[Loyal (Chris Brown song)|Loyal]]" (1); ''[[Royalty (Chris Brown album)|Royalty]]'' (1); "[[Come Through (H.E.R. song)|Come Through]]" (1); "[[Go Crazy (Chris Brown and Young Thug song)|Go Crazy]]" (1); "[[How Does It Feel (Chlöe song)|How Does It Feel]]" (1); "[[Sensational (Chris Brown song)|Sensational]]" (1); "[[Residuals (song)|Residuals]]" (1)
|-
| [[Olivia Rodrigo]]
| align="center| [[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|2021]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| align="center" | 20
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]*; "[[Drivers License (song)|Drivers License]]"* (2); "[[Good 4 U]]" (2); "[[Brutal (Olivia Rodrigo song)|Brutal]]"‡ (2); ''[[Driving Home 2 U]]'' (1); "[[Traitor (Olivia Rodrigo song)|Traitor]]" (1); "[[Vampire (Olivia Rodrigo song)|Vampire]]"*‡ (6); "[[Bad Idea Right?]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video|Best Pop]]; "[[Get Him Back!]]" (1); "[[Obsessed (Olivia Rodrigo song)|Obsessed]]" (1)
|-
| [[Usher (musician)|Usher]]
| align="center| [[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|1998]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| 19
| "[[You Make Me Wanna...]]" (1); "[[U Don't Have to Call]]" (1); "[[U Got It Bad]]" (2); "[[Burn (Usher song)|Burn]]" (1); "[[Yeah! (Usher song)|Yeah!]]"*‡ (4); "[[Caught Up (Usher song)|Caught Up]]" (1); "[[My Boo (Usher song)|My Boo]]" (1); "[[Love in This Club]]" (1); "[[OMG (Usher song)|OMG]]" (3); "[[Climax (Usher song)|Climax]]" (1); "[[Good Kisser]]" (1); "[[Good Good (Usher song)|Good Good]]" (1); "[[Ruin (Usher and Pheelz song)|Ruin]]" (1)
|-
| [[NSYNC]]
| align="center| [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| "[[Tearin' Up My Heart]]" (3); "[[Bye Bye Bye]]"*‡ (6); "[[Pop (NSYNC song)|Pop]]"* (6); "[[Girlfriend (NSYNC song)|Girlfriend]]" (remix) (2); "[[Gone (NSYNC song)|Gone]]"‡ (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group|Best Group]]
|-
| [[Björk]]
| align="center| [[1993 MTV Video Music Awards|1993]]–[[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|09]]
| "[[Human Behaviour]]" (7); "[[Army of Me (Björk song)|Army of Me]]" (2); "[[It's Oh So Quiet]]"* (6); "[[Bachelorette (song)|Bachelorette]]"* (1); "[[All Is Full of Love]]"* (2); "Human Behaviour" (1)
|-
| [[Alicia Keys]]
| align="center| [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| rowspan="6" align="center| 18
| "[[Fallin' (Alicia Keys song)|Fallin']]"* (2); "[[A Woman's Worth]]" (2); "[[If I Ain't Got You]]"* (2); "[[You Don't Know My Name]]" (1); "[[Karma (Alicia Keys song)|Karma]]"* (1); "[[My Boo (Usher song)|My Boo]]" (1); "[[Empire State of Mind]]"* (3); "[[Raise a Man]]" (1); "[[Underdog (Alicia Keys song)|Underdog]]" (1); "[[City of Gods#City of Gods (Part II)|City of Gods (Part II)]]" (1); "Stay"(1); "If I Ain't Got You" (Orchestral) (1); "[[Lifeline (Alicia Keys song)|Lifeline]]" (1)
|-
| [[Harry Styles]]
| align="center| [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]–[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| "[[Sign of the Times (Harry Styles song)|Sign of the Times]]" (2); "[[Adore You (Harry Styles song)|Adore You]]" (3); "[[Watermelon Sugar]]" (1); "[[Treat People with Kindness (song)|Treat People with Kindness]]"* (3); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; "[[As It Was]]"*‡ (5); ''[[Harry's House]]''* (1); "[[Late Night Talking]]" (1); "[[Music for a Sushi Restaurant]]" (1) 
|-
| [[The White Stripes]]
| align="center| [[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|2002]]–[[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|08]]
| "[[Fell in Love with a Girl]]"*‡ (4); "[[Seven Nation Army]]"* (4); "[[The Hardest Button to Button]]" (4); "[[Blue Orchid]]" (3); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group|Best Group]]; "[[Conquest (song)|Conquest]]"* (2)
|-
| [[Will Smith]]
| align="center| [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]–[[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|02]]
| "[[Men in Black (song)|Men in Black]]"* (4); "[[Gettin' Jiggy Wit It]]"*‡ (5); "[[Just the Two of Us (Will Smith song)|Just the Two of Us]]"* (1); "[[Miami (Will Smith song)|Miami]]"* (3); "[[Wild Wild West (Will Smith song)|Wild Wild West]]"‡ (3); "[[Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)]]" (2)
|-
| [[En Vogue]]
| align="center| [[1992 MTV Video Music Awards|1992]]–[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|94]]
| "[[My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)]]"* (6); "[[Free Your Mind (En Vogue song)|Free Your Mind]]"*‡ (8); "[[Runaway Love (En Vogue song)|Runaway Love]]" (1); "[[Whatta Man]]"* (3)
|-
| [[Bad Bunny]]
| align="center| [[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[I Like It (Cardi B song)|I Like It]]"* (1); "[[Mia (Bad Bunny song)|Mia]]" (1); "[[Yo Perreo Sola]]" (1); "[[Dakiti]]" (1); "[[Un Dia (One Day)]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]* (3); "[[Tití Me Preguntó]]" (1); "[[Me Porto Bonito]]" (1); ''[[Un Verano Sin Ti]]'' (1); "[[El Apagón|El Apagón – Aquí Vive Gente]]" (1); "[[Un x100to]]" (1); "[[Where She Goes]]" (1); "[[Monaco (song)|Monaco]]" (1); "[[Baile Inolvidable]]" (1); ''[[Debí Tirar Más Fotos]]'' (1); [[Debí Tirar Más Fotos|Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Short Film)]](1)
|-
| [[TLC (group)|TLC]]
| align="center| [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]]–[[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|14]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| 17
| "[[Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls]]"*† (10); "[[No Scrubs]]"* (6); "[[Crooked Smile (J. Cole song)|Crooked Smile]]" (1)
|-
| [[Paula Abdul]]
| align="center| [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]–[[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|95]]
| "[[Nasty (Janet Jackson song)|Nasty]]"* (1, as choreographer); "[[When I Think of You]]" (1, as choreographer); "[[Straight Up (Paula Abdul song)|Straight Up]]"* (6); "[[Opposites Attract]]" (6); "[[Rush Rush (Paula Abdul song)|Rush Rush]]" (1); "[[My Love Is for Real]]" (2)
|-
| [[DJ Khaled]]
| align="center| [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]–[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| "[[I'm the One (DJ Khaled song)|I'm the One]]" (1); "[[Wild Thoughts]]"‡ (4); "[[Dinero (Jennifer Lopez song)|Dinero]]"* (2); "[[No Brainer (DJ Khaled song)|No Brainer]]" (1); "[[Higher (DJ Khaled song)|Higher]]" (1); "[[Just Us (DJ Khaled song)|Just Us]]" (1); "[[Wish Wish]]" (1); [[Popstar (DJ Khaled song)|Popstar]]"‡ (3); "[[Every Chance I Get (DJ Khaled song)|Every Chance I Get]]" (1); "[[Big Energy (Latto song)|Big Energy]]" (remix)(1); [[Staying Alive (DJ Khaled song)|Staying Alive]]" (1)
|-
| [[Fall Out Boy]]
| align="center| [[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005]]–[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| rowspan="7" align="center| 16
| "[[Sugar, We're Goin Down]]"* (1); "[[Dance, Dance (Fall Out Boy song)|Dance, Dance]]"* (2); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group|Best Group]]*; "[[Thnks fr th Mmrs]]" (1); "[[Beat It (song)|Beat It]]" (1); "[[I Don't Care (Fall Out Boy song)|I Don't Care]]" (1); "[[My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)]]" (1); "[[Uma Thurman (song)|Uma Thurman]]"* (1); "[[Irresistible (Fall Out Boy song)|Irresistible]]" (1); "[[Young and Menace]]" (1); "[[Champion (Fall Out Boy song)|Champion]]" (1); "Bishops Knife Trick" (1); "[[Dear Future Self (Hands Up)]]" (1); "[[Hold Me Like a Grudge]]" (1); "[[Love from the Other Side]]" (1)
|-
| [[Busta Rhymes]]
| align="center| [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]–[[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|11]]
| "[[Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check]]" (1); "[[Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See]]" (4); "[[Gimme Some More]]" (1); "[[What's It Gonna Be?!]]" (4); "[[Pass the Courvoisier, Part II]]" (1); "[[I Know What You Want]]" (1); "[[Touch It (Busta Rhymes song)|Touch It]] Remix" (2); "[[Look at Me Now (Chris Brown song)|Look at Me Now]]" (2)
|-
| [[Bruce Springsteen]]
| align="center| [[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]–[[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|97]]
| "[[Dancing in the Dark (Bruce Springsteen song)|Dancing in the Dark]]"* (2); "[[I'm on Fire]]"* (1); "[[Glory Days (Bruce Springsteen song)|Glory Days]]" (2); "[[Born to Run (song)|Born to Run]]" (1); "[[War (Temptations song)|War]]" (1); "[[Tunnel of Love (Bruce Springsteen song)|Tunnel of Love]]"‡ (5); "[[Human Touch (Bruce Springsteen song)|Human Touch]]" (1); "[[Streets of Philadelphia]]"* (2); "[[Secret Garden (Bruce Springsteen song)|Secret Garden]]" (1)
|-
| [[Camila Cabello]]
| align="center| [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| "[[OMG (Camila Cabello song)|OMG]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]*; "[[Havana (Camila Cabello song)|Havana]]"*† (4); "[[Señorita (Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello song)|Señorita]]"* (5); "[[My Oh My (Camila Cabello song)|My Oh My]]" (1); "[[Don't Go Yet (Camila Cabello song)|Don't Go Yet]]" (1); "[[Bam Bam (Camila Cabello song)|Bam Bam]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video|Best Pop]]; "[[I Luv It (Camila Cabello song)|I Luv It]]" (1)
|-
| [[The Smashing Pumpkins]]
| align="center| [[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|1994]]–[[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|99]]
| "[[Disarm (song)|Disarm]]" (2); "[[1979 (song)|1979]]"* (1); "[[Tonight, Tonight (The Smashing Pumpkins song)|Tonight, Tonight]]"*† (8); "[[The End Is the Beginning Is the End]]" (4); Best Artist Website
|-
| [[Selena Gomez]]
| align="center| [[2012 MTV Video Music Awards|2012]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Love You like a Love Song]]" (1); "[[Come & Get It (Selena Gomez song)|Come & Get It]]"* (2); "[[Good for You (Selena Gomez song)|Good for You]]" (1); "[[Kill Em with Kindness]]" (1); "[[It Ain't Me]]" (1); "[[We Don't Talk Anymore (Charlie Puth song)|We Don't Talk Anymore]]" (1); "[[I Can't Get Enough]]" (1); "[[Taki Taki (song)|Taki Taki]]" (1); "[[Boyfriend (Selena Gomez song)|Boyfriend]]" (1); "[[Ice Cream (Blackpink and Selena Gomez song)|Ice Cream]]" (1); "[[Calm Down (Rema song)|Calm Down]]"* (3); "[[Sunset Blvd (Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco song)|Sunset Blvd]]" (1); "[[Younger and Hotter Than Me]]" (1)
|-
| [[Sabrina Carpenter]]
| align="center| [[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video|Best Pop]]; "[[Espresso (song)|Espresso]]"* (2); "[[Please Please Please (Sabrina Carpenter song)|Please Please Please]]" (3); Best Pop Artist*; "[[Manchild (Sabrina Carpenter song)|Manchild]]"*‡ (7); ''[[Short n' Sweet]]''* (1)
|-
| [[George Michael]]
| align="center| [[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|1988]]–[[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|09]]
| rowspan="7" align="center| 15
| "[[Faith (George Michael song)|Faith]]" (1); "[[Father Figure (George Michael song)|Father Figure]]"* (2); "[[Freedom! '90]]" (5); "[[Killer (Adamski song)#George Michael version|Killer]] / [[Papa Was a Rollin' Stone]]"* (3); "[[Fastlove]]"* (3); "Freedom! '90" (1)
|-
| [[Panic! at the Disco]]
| align="center| [[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006]]–[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| "[[I Write Sins Not Tragedies]]"*† (5); "[[Nine in the Afternoon]]" (2); "[[Victorious (Panic! at the Disco song)|Victorius]]" (1); "[[Say Amen (Saturday Night)]]" (1); "[[High Hopes (Panic! at the Disco song)|High Hopes]]"* (1); "[[Me!]]"* (3); "[[Viva Las Vengeance (song)|Viva Las Vengeance]]" (1); "[[Middle of a Breakup]]" (1)
|-
| [[Thirty Seconds to Mars]]
| align="center| [[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006]]–[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| "[[The Kill]]"* (2); "[[Kings and Queens (Thirty Seconds to Mars song)|Kings and Queens]]"*‡ (4); "[[Hurricane (Thirty Seconds to Mars song)|Hurricane]]" (3); "[[Up in the Air (song)|Up in the Air]]"* (3); "[[City of Angels (Thirty Seconds to Mars song)|City of Angels]]" (1); "[[Walk on Water (Thirty Seconds to Mars song)|Walk on Water]]" (1); "[[Stuck (Thirty Seconds to Mars song)|Stuck]]" (1)
|-
| [[Beck]]
| align="center| [[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|1994]]–[[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|06]]
| "[[Loser (Beck song)|Loser]]" (3); "[[Where It's At (Beck song)|Where It's At]]"* (2); "[[Devils Haircut]]"* (2); "[[The New Pollution]]"*‡ (5); "[[Deadweight (song)|Deadweight]]" (1); "[[E-Pro]]" (1); "[[Hell Yes (Beck song)|Hell Yes]]" (1)
|-
| [[Demi Lovato]]
| align="center| [[2012 MTV Video Music Awards|2012]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Skyscraper (Demi Lovato song)|Skyscraper]]"* (1); "[[Heart Attack (Demi Lovato song)|Heart Attack]]" (1); "[[Really Don't Care]]" (1); "[[Cool For The Summer]]" (1); "[[Irresistible (Fall Out Boy song)|Irresistible]]" (1); "[[Sorry Not Sorry (Demi Lovato song)|Sorry Not Sorry]]" (2); "[[Échame la Culpa]]" (1); "[[Solo (Clean Bandit song)|Solo]]" (1); "[[I Love Me (Demi Lovato song)|I Love Me]]" (2); "[[Dancing with the Devil (song)|Dancing with the Devil]]" (1); "[[Swine (Demi Lovato song)|Swine]]" (2); "[[Fast (Demi Lovato song)|Fast]]" (1)
|-
| [[Blackpink]]
| align="center| [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group|Best Group]]* (6); "[[Kill This Love (song)|Kill This Love]]" (1); "[[How You Like That]]"* (1); [[Ice Cream (Blackpink and Selena Gomez song)|Ice Cream]]" (1); Best Metaverse Performance*; [[Born Pink World Tour]] (1); "[[Pink Venom]]"* (4)
|-
| [[Charli XCX]]
| align="center| [[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|2014]]-[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Boom Clap]]" (1); "[[Fancy (Iggy Azalea song)|Fancy]]"‡ (4); Best Metaverse Performance; "[[360 (song)|360]]" (1); "[[Apple (song)|Apple]]" (1); "[[Von Dutch (song)|Von Dutch]]" (1); "[[Guess (Charli XCX song)|Guess]]"* (5); Best Pop Artist
|-
| [[Metallica]]
| align="center| [[1989 MTV Video Music Awards|1989]]–[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| rowspan="7" align="center| 14
| "[[One (Metallica song)|One]]" (1); "[[Enter Sandman]]"* (3); "[[Until It Sleeps]]"* (2); "[[The Unforgiven II]]" (1); "[[I Disappear]]" (5); "[[St. Anger]]" (1); "[[Lux Æterna (Metallica song)|Lux Æterna]]" (1)
|-
| [[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]]
| align="center| [[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|2016]]–[[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|21]]
| "[[Closer (The Chainsmokers song)|Closer]]" (3); "[[Now or Never (Halsey song)|Now or Never]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; "[[Boy with Luv]]"* (4); "[[Nightmare (Halsey song)|Nightmare]]" (2); "[[Graveyard (Halsey song)|Graveyard]]" (1); "[[You Should Be Sad]]" (1); "[[Be Kind]]" (1)
|-
| [[Steve Winwood]]
| align="center| [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]–[[1989 MTV Video Music Awards|89]]
| "[[Higher Love]]"‡ (7); "[[Back in the High Life Again]]" (1); "[[Roll with It (Steve Winwood song)|Roll with It]]"‡ (6)
|-
| [[Jonas Brothers]]
| align="center| [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|2008]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Burnin' Up (Jonas Brothers song)|Burnin' Up]]"‡ (2); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group|Best Group]] (4); "[[Sucker (song)|Sucker]]"*‡ (4); "[[What a Man Gotta Do]]" (1); "[[Do It Like That (Tomorrow X Together and Jonas Brothers song)|Do It Like That]]" (1); "[[Waffle House (song)|Waffle House]]" (1)
|-
| [[J Balvin]]
| align="center| [[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Mi Gente (J Balvin and Willy William song)|Mi Gente]]"* (1); "[[I Like It (Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin song)|I Like It]]"* (1); "[[Con Altura]]"* (3); "[[I Can't Get Enough]]" (1); "[[Say My Name (David Guetta song)|Say My Name]]" (1); "[[Amarillo (J Balvin song)|Amarillo]]" (1); "[[China (Anuel AA song)|China]]" (1); "[[Qué Pena]]"* (1); "[[Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)]]" (1); "[[Un Dia (One Day)]]" (1); "[[In da Getto]]" (1); "Rio" (1)
|-
| [[Imagine Dragons]]
| align="center" |[[2012 MTV Video Music Awards|2012]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[It's Time (song)|It's Time]]" (1); "[[Radioactive (Imagine Dragons song)|Radioactive]]" (1); "[[Demons (Imagine Dragons song)|Demons]]" (1); "[[Thunder (Imagine Dragons song)|Thunder]]" (1); "[[Whatever It Takes (Imagine Dragons song)|Whatever It Takes]]"* (1); "[[Natural (Imagine Dragons song)|Natural]]" (1); "[[Follow You (Imagine Dragons song)|Follow You]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group|Best Group]] (3); "[[Enemy (Imagine Dragons song)|Enemy]]" (1); "[[Crushed (Imagine Dragons song)|Crushed]]" (1); "[[Eyes Closed (Imagine Dragons song)|Eyes Closed]]" (1); "[[Wake Up (Imagine Dragons song)|Wake Up]]" (1)
|-
| [[Twenty One Pilots]]
| align="center" |[[2013 MTV Video Music Awards|2013]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Holding On to You (Twenty One Pilots song)|Holding on to You]]" (1); "[[Heathens (Twenty One Pilots song)|Heathens]]"* (1); "[[Heavydirtysoul (song)|Heavydirtysoul]]"* (1); "[[My Blood (Twenty One Pilots song)|My Blood]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group|Best Group]] (4); "[[Level of Concern]]" (2); "[[Shy Away]]" (1); "[[Saturday (Twenty One Pilots song)|Saturday]]" (1); Best Metaverse Performance; "[[The Contract (song)|The Contract]]" (1)
|-
| [[David Bowie]]
| align="center| [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]–[[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|16]]
| rowspan="8" align="center| 13
| "[[China Girl (song)|China Girl]]"* (3); "[[Modern Love (David Bowie song)|Modern Love]]" (1); "[[Blue Jean]] (live)" (1); "[[Dancing in the Street#Bowie/Jagger version|Dancing in the Street]]"* (1); "[[Day-In Day-Out]]" (1); "[[I'm Afraid of Americans]]" (1); Best Artist Website; "[[Blackstar (song)|Blackstar]]"* (1); "[[Lazarus (David Bowie song)|Lazarus]]" (3)
|-
| [[Calvin Harris]]
| align="center| [[2012 MTV Video Music Awards|2012]]–[[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|18]]
| "[[Feel So Close]]"* (1); "[[I Need Your Love (Calvin Harris song)|I Need Your Love]]" (2); "[[Sweet Nothing (Calvin Harris song)|Sweet Nothing]]" (1); "[[Summer (Calvin Harris song)|Summer]]" (1); "[[How Deep Is Your Love (Calvin Harris song)|How Deep Is Your Love]]"* (1); [[This Is What You Came For]]"* (3); "[[Feels (song)|Feels]]" (1); "[[My Way (Calvin Harris song)|My Way]]" (1); "[[One Kiss (song)|One Kiss]]" (2)
|-
| [[ZZ Top]]
| align="center| [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]–[[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|90]]
| "[[Gimme All Your Lovin']]" (1); "[[Legs (song)|Legs]]"* (2); "[[Sharp Dressed Man]]"* (3); "[[Rough Boy]]"* (6); "[[Doubleback]]" (1)
|-
| [[Don Henley]]
| align="center| [[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]–[[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|90]]
| "[[The Boys of Summer (song)|The Boys of Summer]]"*† (7); "[[The End of the Innocence (song)|The End of the Innocence]]"*‡ (6)
|-
| [[Young Thug]]
| align="center| [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]–[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|22]]
| "[[Wyclef Jean (song)|Wyclef Jean]]"* (1); "[[Havana (Camila Cabello song)|Havana]]"*† (4); "[[Goodbyes (Post Malone song)|Goodbyes]]" (1); "[[The London (song)|The London]]" (1); "[[Franchise (Travis Scott song)|Franchise]]"* (2); "[[Go Crazy (Chris Brown and Young Thug song)|Go Crazy]]" (1); "[[Way 2 Sexy]]"‡ (3)
|-
| [[Eurythmics]]
| align="center| [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]–[[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|88]]
| "[[Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)]]"* (1); "[[Would I Lie to You? (Eurythmics song)|Would I Lie to You?]]" (5); "[[Missionary Man (song)|Missionary Man]]" (5); "[[I Need a Man (Eurythmics song)|I Need a Man]]" (1); "[[You Have Placed a Chill in My Heart]]" (1)
|-
| [[Shawn Mendes]]
| align="center| [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]–[[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|21]]
| "[[There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back]]" (1); "[[Treat You Better (Shawn Mendes song)|Treat You Better]]" (1); "[[In My Blood (Shawn Mendes song)|In My Blood]]" (3); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; "[[Señorita (Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello song)|Señorita]]"* (5); "[[Summer of Love (Shawn Mendes song)|Summer of Love]]" (1); "[[Wonder (Shawn Mendes song)|Wonder]]" (1)
|-
| [[Fatboy Slim]]
| align="center" |[[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]–[[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|01]]
| "[[Praise You]]"* (4); "[[Weapon of Choice (song)|Weapon of Choice]]"*‡ (9)
|-
| [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]
| align="center" |[[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]–[[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|06]]
| rowspan="7" align="center| 12
| "[[When Doves Cry]]" (1); "[[Raspberry Beret]]"* (1); "[[U Got the Look]]"* (4); "[[I Wish U Heaven]]" (1); "[[Batdance]]" (1); "[[Cream (Prince song)|Cream]]"* (1); "[[7 (Prince song)|7]]" (1); "[[Musicology (song)|Musicology]]" (1); "[[Black Sweat]]" (1)
|-
| [[Radiohead]]
| align="center" |[[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]–[[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|09]]
| "[[Just (Radiohead song)|Just]]" (1); "[[Paranoid Android]]" (2); "[[Karma Police]]" (4); "[[There There (song)|There There]]"* (4); "Karma Police" (1)
|-
| [[Don Glover|Childish Gambino]]
| align="center" |[[2012 MTV Video Music Awards|2012]]–[[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|19]]
| "[[Heartbeat (Childish Gambino song)|Heartbeat]]" (1); "[[3005 (song)|3005]]" (1); "[[Sober (Childish Gambino song)|Sober]]" (1); "Telegraph Ave." (1); "[[This Is America (song)|This Is America]]"*‡ (7); "[[Feels Like Summer (Childish Gambino song)|Feels Like Summer]]" (1)
|-
| [[Jack Harlow]]
| align="center" |[[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|2020]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]; "[[Whats Poppin]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; "[[Industry Baby]]"*‡ (7); "[[First Class (Jack Harlow song)|First Class]]"* (1); "[[Lovin on Me]]" (1)
|-
| [[Cyndi Lauper]]
| align="center" |[[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]–[[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|87]]
| "[[Girls Just Want to Have Fun]]"*‡ (6); "[[Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper song)|Time After Time]]" (3); "[[She Bop]]" (1); "[[True Colors (Cyndi Lauper song)|True Colors]]" (1); "[[What's Going On (song)#Cyndi Lauper version|What's Going On]]" (1)
|-
| [[Lizzo]]
| align="center" |[[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]–[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|22]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]; Push Artist of the Year; "[[Tempo (Lizzo song)|Tempo]]" (1); "[[Truth Hurts (song)|Truth Hurts]]" (1); "[[Cuz I Love You (song)|Cuz I Love You]]" (1); "[[Good as Hell]]" (1); "[[Rumors (Lizzo song)|Rumors]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; "[[About Damn Time]]"* (4)
|-
| [[Karol G]]
| align="center" |[[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]–[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Secreto (Anuel AA song)|Secreto]]" (1); [[China (Anuel AA song)|China]]" (1); "[[Tusa (song)|Tusa]]" (2); "[[Bichota]]" (1); "[[Mamiii]]" (1); [[MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]]; [[Mañana Será Bonito Tour]] (1); "[[TQG]]"* (2); "[[Mi Ex Tenía Razón]]" (1); "[[Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido]]" (1)
|-
| [[Black Eyed Peas]]
| align="center" |[[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]–[[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|21]]
| rowspan="16" align="center" | 11
| "[[Joints and Jam]]" (1); "[[Request + Line]]" (1); "[[Hey Mama (Black Eyed Peas song)|Hey Mama]]"* (3); "[[Don't Phunk with My Heart|Dont Phunk with my Heart]]" (1); "[[My Humps]]"* (2); "[[Mamacita (Black Eyed Peas, Ozuna and J. Rey Soul song)|Mamacita]]" (1); "[[Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)]]" (1); "[[Girl Like Me (Black Eyed Peas and Shakira song)|Girl Like Me]]" (1)
|-
| [[Lil Wayne]]
| align="center" |[[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006]]–[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| "[[Fireman (song)|Fireman]]" (1); "[[Lollipop (Lil Wayne song)|Lollipop]]"* (2); "[[6 Foot 7 Foot]]" (1); "[[Look at Me Now (Chris Brown song)|Look at Me Now]]" (2); "[[How To Love]]" (1); "[[Loyal (Chris Brown song)|Loyal]]" (1); "[[Let Me Love You (Ariana Grande song)|Let Me Love You]]" (1); "[[I'm the One (DJ Khaled song)|I'm the One]]" (1); “[[Kant Nobody]]" (1)
|-
| [[Destiny's Child]]
| align="center" |[[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000]]–[[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|16]]
| "[[Say My Name]]"* (3); "[[Independent Women|Independent Women Part I]]" (2); "[[Survivor (Destiny's Child song)|Survivor]]"* (3); "[[Lose My Breath]]" (1); "[[Soldier (Destiny's Child song)|Soldier]]" (1); "[[The Girl Is Mine (99 Souls song)|The Girl Is Mine]]" (1)
|-
| [[Bryan Adams]]
| align="center" |[[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]–[[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|96]]
| "[[Heaven (Bryan Adams song)|Heaven]]" (1); "[[Run to You (Bryan Adams song)|Run to You]]" (5); "[[It's Only Love (Bryan Adams song)|It's Only Love]]"* (1); "[[Summer of '69]]" (1); "[[(Everything I Do) I Do It for You]]" (1); "[[Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?]]" (1); "[[The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You]]" (1)
|-
| [[Kelly Clarkson]]
| align="center" |[[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]–[[2013 MTV Video Music Awards|13]]
| "[[Miss Independent (Kelly Clarkson song)|Miss Independent]]" (3); "[[Since U Been Gone]]"* (3); "[[Because of You (Kelly Clarkson song)|Because of You]]"* (2); "[[My Life Would Suck Without You]]" (1); "[[Dark Side (Kelly Clarkson song)|Dark Side]]" (1); "[[People Like Us (Kelly Clarkson song)|People Like Us]]" (1)
|-
| [[Van Halen]]
| align="center" |[[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]–[[1992 MTV Video Music Awards|92]]
| "[[Jump (Van Halen song)|Jump]]"* (3); "[[Finish What Ya Started]]" (1); "[[Right Now (Van Halen song)|Right Now]]"*† (7)
|-
| [[Future (rapper)|Future]]
| align="center" |[[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]–[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|24]]
| "[[Mask Off]]" (1); "[[Life Is Good (song)|Life Is Good]]"‡ (3);  "[[Wait for U]]" (2); "[[Way 2 Sexy]]"‡ (3); "[[Superhero (Heroes & Villains)]]" (1); "[[Like That (Future song)|Like That]]" (1)
|-
| [[No Doubt]]
| align="center" |[[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]–[[2004 MTV Video Music Awards|04]]
| "[[Don't Speak (song)|Don't Speak]]"*‡ (2); "[[Hey Baby (No Doubt song)|Hey Baby]]"* (2); "[[Underneath It All]]" (2); "[[It's My Life (Talk Talk song)#No Doubt version|It's My Life]]"* (5)
|-
| [[Gwen Stefani]]
| align="center" |[[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]–[[2007 MTV Video Music Awards|07]]
| "[[Let Me Blow Ya Mind]]"* (3); "[[South Side (song)|South Side]]"* (1); "[[Hollaback Girl]]"*‡ (4); "[[What You Waiting For?]]"* (2); "[[The Sweet Escape (song)|The Sweet Escape]]" (1)
|-
| [[MC Hammer]]
| align="center" |[[1989 MTV Video Music Awards|1989]]–[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|94]]
| "[[Let's Get It Started (album)|Turn This Mutha Out]]" (1); "[[U Can't Touch This]]"* (5); "Here Comes The Hammer" (1);"[[Pray (MC Hammer song)|Pray]]" (1); "[[2 Legit 2 Quit]]" (1); "[[Addams Groove#"Addams Groove"|Addams Groove]]" (1); "[[Pumps and a Bump]]" (1)
|-
| [[Garbage (band)|Garbage]]
| align="center| [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]-[[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|99]]
| "[[Stupid Girl (Garbage song)#Music video|Stupid Girl]]" (1); "[[Queer (song)#Music video|Queer]]" (1); "[[Push It (Garbage song)#Music video|Push It]]" (8); "[[Special (Garbage song)|Special]]"* (1)
|-
|[[INXS]]
| align="center| [[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]-[[1989 MTV Video Music Awards|89]]
| "[[What You Need (INXS song)|What You Need]]" (1); "[[Devil Inside (INXS song)|Devil Inside]]" (1); "[[Need You Tonight]] / [[Mediate (song)|Mediate]]"*† (8); "[[New Sensation]]" (1)
|-
| [[Korn]]
| align="center| [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]-[[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|02]]
| "[[Freak on a Leash]]"*‡ (9); "[[Falling Away from Me]]" (1); "[[Here to Stay (Korn song)|Here to Stay]]" (1)
|-
| [[Ricky Martin]]
| align="center| [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]-[[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|00]]
| "[[Livin' la Vida Loca]]"*‡ (9); "[[Shake Your Bon-Bon]]" (2)
|-
| [[A-ha]]
| align="center| [[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| "[[Take On Me]]"*‡ (8); "[[The Sun Always Shines on T.V.]]"* (3)
|-
| [[Dire Straits]]
| align="center| [[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| "[[Money for Nothing (song)|Money for Nothing]]"*† (11)
|-
| [[Elton John]]
| align="center| [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]-[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|22]]
| rowspan="20" align="center" | 10
| "[[I'm Still Standing]]" (2); "[[Sad Songs (Say So Much)]]"* (1); "[[Candle in the Wind]] (live)" (1); "[[Believe (Elton John song)|Believe]]" (1); "[[This Train Don't Stop There Anymore]]" (3); "[[Cold Heart (Elton John song)|Cold Heart (Pnau Remix)]]" (2)
|-
| [[Sean Combs|Diddy]]
| align="center| [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]-[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| "[[I'll Be Missing You]]"* (2); "[[It's All About the Benjamins]]"*‡ (2); "[[Come with Me (Puff Daddy song)|Come with Me]]" (1); "[[Bad Boy for Life]]" (1); "[[Creepin' (Metro Boomin song)|Creepin']]" (2); "[[Gotta Move On (Diddy song)|Gotta Move On]]" (2)
|-
| [[Brandy (singer)|Brandy]]
| align="center| [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]]-[[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|16]]
| "[[Baby (Brandy song)|Baby]]" (1); "[[I Wanna Be Down]]" (1); "[[Brokenhearted (Brandy song)|Brokenhearted]]" (1); "[[Sittin' Up in My Room]]" (1); "[[The Boy Is Mine (Brandy and Monica song)|The Boy Is Mine]]"‡ (2); "[[Have You Ever?]]" (1); "[[What About Us? (Brandy song)|What About Us?]]" (1); "[[Talk About Our Love]]" (1); "[[The Girl Is Mine (99 Souls song)|The Girl Is Mine]]" (1)
|-
| [[Dr. Dre]]
| align="center| [[1993 MTV Video Music Awards|1993]]-[[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|09]]
| "[[Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang]]" (1); "[[Let Me Ride]]" (1); "[[Keep Their Heads Ringin]]"* (1); "[[Been There, Done That (Dr. Dre song)|Been There, Done That]]" (2); "[[My Name Is]]" (1, as director); "[[Forgot About Dre]]"* (1) "[[The Real Slim Shady]]" (1, as director); "[[Stan (Eminem song)|Stan]]" (1, as director); "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" (1)
|-
| [[John Legend]]
| align="center| [[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005]]-[[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|20]]
| "[[Ordinary People (John Legend song)|Ordinary People]]" (3); "[[All of Me (John Legend song)|All of Me]]" (1); "[[One Man Can Change the World]]"* (1); "[[Surefire (song)|Surefire]]"* (1); "[[Higher (DJ Khaled song)|Higher]]" (1); "[[Preach (John Legend song)|Preach]]" (1); Best Quarantine Performance; "[[Bigger Love (song)|Bigger Love]]" (1)
|-
| [[Engenheiros do Hawaii]]
| align="center| [[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]-[[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|03]]
| "Alívio Imediato" (1); "Refrão de Bolero" (1); "O Exército de um Homem Só" (1); "Parabólica" (1); "A Promessa" (1); "A Montanha" (1); "Eu Que Não Amo Você" (1); "Negro Amor" (1); "3a do Plural" (1); "Até o Fim" (1)
|-
| [[Os Paralamas do Sucesso]]
| align="center| [[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]-[[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|03]]
| "Perplexo" (1); "Caleidoscópio" (1); "Trac Trac" (1); "Uma Brasileira"* (1); "Lourinha Bombril" (1); "La Bella Luna" (1); "Ela Disse Adeus" (1); "Depois da Queda o Coice" (1); "Aonde Quer Que Eu Vá" (1); "Cuide Bem do Seu Amor" (1)
|-
| [[Chris Isaak]]
| align="center| [[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]-[[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|95]]
| "Dancin'" (2); "[[Wicked Game]]"*‡ (7); "[[Somebody's Crying]]" (1)
|-
| [[Billy Idol]]
| align="center| [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]-[[1993 MTV Video Music Awards|93]]
| "[[Dancing with Myself]]" (3); "Eye Without a Face" (2); "[[Cradle of Love (Billy Idol song)|Cradle of Love]]"* (3); "[[Shock to the System (Billy Idol song)|Shock to the System]]" (2)
|-
| [[Bryson Tiller]]
| align="center| [[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|2016]]-[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]; "[[Don't (Bryson Tiller song)|Don't]]" (2); "[[Wild Thoughts]]"‡ (4); "[[Could've Been (H.E.R. song)|Could've Been]]" (1); "[[Gotta Move On (Diddy song)|Gotta Move On]]" (2)
|-
| [[Khalid (American singer)|Khalid]]
| align="center| [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]-[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|22]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]*; Push Artist of the Year; "[[1-800-273-8255 (song)|1-800-273-8255]]" (2); "[[Silence (Marshmello song)|Silence]]" (1); "[[Talk (Khalid song)|Talk]]" (2); "[[Beautiful People (Ed Sheeran song)|Beautiful People]]" (1); "[[Eleven (Khalid song)|Eleven]]" (1); "[[Numb (Marshmello song)|Numb]]" (1)
|-
| [[Mýa (singer)|Mýa]]
| align="center| [[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|1998]]-[[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|03]]
| "[[Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)]]" (2); "[[Lady Marmalade#Moulin Rouge! version|Lady Marmalade]]"*† (6); "[[My Love Is Like...Wo]]" (2)
|-
| [[Rosalía]]
| align="center| [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]-[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|23]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]; "[[Con Altura]]"* (3); "[[A Palé]]" (1); "[[Lo Vas a Olvidar]]"* (1); "[[Bizcochito (song)|Bizcochito]]" (1); "[[La Fama (song)|La Fama]]" (1); "[[Saoko]]"* (1); "[[Despechá]]" (1)
|-
| [[Talking Heads]]
| align="center| [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]-[[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|87]]
| "[[Burning Down the House]]" (1); "[[Once in a Lifetime (Talking Heads song)|Once in a Lifetime]]" (live)(1); "[[And She Was]]" (2); "[[Road to Nowhere]]"‡ (3); "[[Wild Wild Life]]"* (3)
|-
| [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]
| align="center| [[1992 MTV Video Music Awards|1992]]-[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|94]]
| "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]"*‡ (4); "[[In Bloom]]" (1); "[[Heart-Shaped Box]]"*‡ (5)
|-
| [[Jamiroquai]]
| align="center| [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]
| "[[Virtual Insanity]]"*† (10)
|-
| [[Backstreet Boys]]
| align="center| [[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|1998]]-[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Everybody (Backstreet's Back)]]"* (2); "[[I Want It That Way]]"*‡ (4); "[[The Call (Backstreet Boys song)|The Call]]" (2); [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Group|Best Group]] (2)
|-
| [[FKA Twigs]]
| align="center| [[2015 MTV Video Music Awards|2015]]-[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Pendulum (song)|Pendulum]]" (1); "[[Two Weeks (FKA Twigs song)|Two Weeks]]" (2); ''[[M3LL155X]]'' (2); "[[Cellophane (FKA Twigs song)|Cellophane]]" (3); "[[Tears in the Club]]" (1); "Eusexua" (1)
|-
| [[Lenny Kravitz]]
| align="center| [[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]-[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[Let Love Rule (song)|Let Love Rule]]" (1); "[[Are You Gonna Go My Way (song)|Are You Gonna Go My Way]]"* (2); "[[Fly Away (Lenny Kravitz song)|Fly Away]]" (2); "[[Again (Lenny Kravitz song)|Again]]" (1); "[[Low (Lenny Kravitz song)|Low]]" (1); "[[Raise Vibration (song)|Raise Vibration]]" (1); "[[Human (Lenny Kravitz song)|Human]]"* (1); "Honey" (1)
|-
| [[Travis Scott]]
| align="center| [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]-[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|25]]
| "[[The London]]" (1); "[[Sicko Mode]]" (1); "[[Highest in the Room]]" (2); "[[Franchise (song)|Franchise]]"* (2); "[[Fe!n]]" (1); "[[4x4 (song)|4x4]]" (1); "[[Active (song)|Active]]" (1); "[[TaTaTa]]" (1)
|}

===Most nominations in a single night===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:70%;"
|-
! style="width:25%;"| Artist
! style="width:10%;"| Year
! style="width:13%;"| Number of nominations
! style="width:52%;"| Nominated work
|-
| [[Lady Gaga]]
| align="center| [[2010 MTV Video Music Awards|2010]]
| align="center| 13
| "[[Bad Romance]]" (10); "[[Telephone (song)|Telephone]]" (3)
|-
| [[Peter Gabriel]]
| align="center| [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]
| rowspan="6" align="center| 12
| "[[Big Time (Peter Gabriel song)|Big Time]]" (2); "[[Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel song)|Sledgehammer]]" (10)
|-
| [[Cardi B]]
| align="center| [[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]
| Artist of the Year (for Cardi B); "[[Bartier Cardi]]" (1); Best New Artist (for Cardi B); "[[Dinero (Jennifer Lopez song)|Dinero]]" (2); "[[Finesse (Bruno Mars song)|Finesse (Remix)]]" (5); "[[Girls Like You (Maroon 5 song)|Girls Like You]]" (1); "[[I Like It (Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin song)|I Like It]]" (1)
|-
| [[Ariana Grande]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]
| "[[7 Rings]]" (3); Artist of the Year (for Grande); "[[Boyfriend (Ariana Grande and Social House song)|Boyfriend]]" (1); "[[God Is a Woman]]" (1); "[[Rule the World (2 Chainz song)|Rule the World]]" (1); "[[Thank U, Next (song)|Thank U, Next]]" (5)
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Taylor Swift]]
| "[[Me!]]" (3); "[[You Need to Calm Down]]" (9)
|-
| align="center| [[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
| Artist of the Year (for Swift); Best Pop (for Swift); "[[Fortnight (song)|Fortnight]]" (9); VMAs Most Iconic Performance (for Swift)
|-
| [[Lady Gaga]]
| align="center| [[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|2025]]
| "[[Abracadabra (Lady Gaga song)|Abracadabra]]" (6); Artist of the Year (for Gaga); "[[Die with a Smile]]" (4); ''[[Mayhem (Lady Gaga album)|Mayhem]]'' (1)
|-
| [[A-ha]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| rowspan="7" align="center| 11
| "[[Take On Me]]" (8); "[[The Sun Always Shines on T.V.]]" (3)
|-
| [[Dire Straits]]
| "[[Money for Nothing (song)|Money for Nothing]]" (11)
|-
| [[Michael Jackson]] & [[Janet Jackson]]
| align="center| [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]]
| "[[Scream (Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson song)|Scream]]" (11)
|-
| [[Beyoncé]]
| align="center| [[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|2016]]
| "[[Formation (song)|Formation]]" (6); "[[Freedom (Beyoncé song)|Freedom]]" (1); "[[Hold Up (Beyoncé song)|Hold Up]]" (2); ''[[Lemonade (Beyoncé album)#Visuals|Lemonade]]'' (1); "[[Sorry (Beyoncé song)|Sorry]]" (1)
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]]
| align="center| [[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|2023]]
| Artist of the Year (for Swift); "[[Anti-Hero (song)|Anti-Hero]]" (7); [[The Eras Tour]] (1); "[[Karma (Taylor Swift song)|Karma]]" (1); ''[[Midnights]]'' (1)
|-
| [[Post Malone]]
| align="center| [[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
| "[[Fortnight (song)|Fortnight]]" (9); "[[I Had Some Help]]" (2)
|-
| [[Bruno Mars]]
| align="center| [[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|2025]]
| "[[Apt. (song)|Apt]]." (7); "[[Die with a Smile]]" (4)
|-
| [[R.E.M.]]
| align="center| [[1991 MTV Video Music Awards|1991]]
| rowspan="7" align="center| 10
| "[[Losing My Religion]]" (9); ''[[Tourfilm]]'' (1)
|-
| [[TLC (group)|TLC]]
| align="center| [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]]
| "[[Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls]]" (10)
|-
| [[Jamiroquai]]
| align="center| [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]
| "[[Virtual Insanity]]" (10)
|-
| [[Katy Perry]]
| align="center| [[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|2011]]
| "[[E.T. (song)|E.T.]]" (5); "[[Firework (song)|Firework]]" (3); "[[Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)]]" (1); "[[Teenage Dream (Katy Perry song)|Teenage Dream]]" (1)
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]]
| align="center| [[2015 MTV Video Music Awards|2015]]
| "[[Bad Blood (Taylor Swift song)|Bad Blood]]" (8); "[[Blank Space]]" (2)
|-
| [[Billie Eilish]]
| align="center| [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]
| Artist of the Year (for Eilish); "[[Bad Guy (Billie Eilish song)|Bad Guy]]" (5); Best New Artist (for Eilish); "[[Don't Smile at Me|Hostage]]" (1); Push Artist of the Year (for Eilish); "[[When the Party's Over (song)|When the Party's Over]]" (1)
|-
| [[Kendrick Lamar]]
| align="center| [[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|2025]]
| Artist of the Year (for Lamar); ''[[GNX (album)|GNX]]'' (1); "[[Luther (song)|Luther]]" (1); "[[Not Like Us]]" (7)
|-
| [[Cyndi Lauper]]
| align="center|[[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]
| rowspan="19" align="center| 9
| "[[Girls Just Want to Have Fun]]" (6); "[[Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper song)|Time After Time]]" (3)
|-
| [[INXS]]
| align="center|[[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|1988]]
| "[[Devil Inside (INXS song)|Devil Inside]]" (1); "[[Need You Tonight]] / [[Mediate (song)|Mediate]]" (8)
|-
| [[Michael Jackson]]
| align="center|[[1989 MTV Video Music Awards|1989]]
| "[[Leave Me Alone (Michael Jackson song)|Leave Me Alone]]" (6); "[[Smooth Criminal]]" (3)
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| align="center|[[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]
| "[[Vogue (Madonna song)|Vogue]]" (9)
|-
| [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]]
| align="center|[[1992 MTV Video Music Awards|1992]]
| "[[Give It Away (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)|Give It Away]]" (6); "[[Under the Bridge]]" (3)
|-
| [[Aerosmith]]
| align="center|[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|1994]]
| "[[Amazing (Aerosmith song)|Amazing]]" (5); "[[Cryin']]" (4)
|-
| [[Green Day]]
| align="center|[[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]]
| "[[Basket Case (song)|Basket Case]]" (9)
|-
| [[The Smashing Pumpkins]]
| align="center|[[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]
| "[[1979 (song)|1979]]" (1); "[[Tonight, Tonight (The Smashing Pumpkins song)|Tonight, Tonight]]" (8)
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| align="center|[[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|1998]]
| "[[Frozen (Madonna song)|Frozen]]" (1); "[[Ray of Light (song)|Ray of Light]]" (8)
|-
| [[Korn]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]
| "[[Freak on a Leash]]" (9)
|-
| [[Ricky Martin]]
| "[[Livin' la Vida Loca]]" (9)
|-
| [[Fatboy Slim]]
| align="center|[[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]
| "[[Weapon of Choice (song)|Weapon of Choice]]" (9)
|-
| [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|2009]]
| "[[Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)]]" (9)
|-
| [[Lady Gaga]]
| "[[Paparazzi (Lady Gaga song)|Paparazzi]]" (5); "[[Poker Face (song)|Poker Face]]" (4)
|-
| [[Lil Nas X]]
| align="center|[[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]
| Best New Artist (for Lil Nas X); "[[Old Town Road#Billy Ray Cyrus remix|Old Town Road (Remix)]]" (8)
|-
| [[Ariana Grande]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|2020]]
| "[[Rain on Me (Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande song)|Rain on Me]]" (7); "[[Stuck with U]]" (2)
|-
| [[Lady Gaga]]
| Artist of the Year (for Gaga); Best Quarantine Performance; "[[Rain on Me (Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande song)|Rain on Me]]" (7)
|-
| [[Justin Bieber]]
| align="center|[[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|2021]]
| Artist of the Year (for Bieber); "[[Holy (Justin Bieber song)|Holy]]" (1); "[[Peaches (Justin Bieber song)|Peaches]]" (4); "[[Popstar (DJ Khaled song)|Popstar]]" (2, starring); "[[Stay (The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber song)|Stay]]" (1)
|-
| [[Sabrina Carpenter]]
| align="center|[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|2025]]
| Best Pop Artist (for Carpenter); "[[Manchild (Sabrina Carpenter song)|Manchild]]" (7); ''[[Short n' Sweet]]'' (1)
|-
| [[Herbie Hancock]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]
| rowspan="24" align="center| 8
| "[[Rockit (song)|Rockit]]" (8)
|-
| [[The Police]]
| "[[Every Breath You Take]]" (8)
|-
| [[David Lee Roth]]
| align="center|[[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]
| "[[California Girls#David Lee Roth|California Girls]]" (3); "[[Just a Gigolo (song)#"Just a Gigolo"/"I Ain't Got Nobody" medley|Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody]]" (5)
|-
| [[George Harrison]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|1988]]
| "[[Got My Mind Set on You#George Harrison version|Got My Mind Set on You]]" (2); "[[When We Was Fab]]" (6)
|-
| [[U2]]
| "[[I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For]]" (4); "[[Where the Streets Have No Name]]" (4)
|-
| [[Aerosmith]]
| align="center|[[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]
| "[[Janie's Got a Gun]]" (8)
|-
| [[En Vogue]]
| align="center|[[1993 MTV Video Music Awards|1993]]
| "[[Free Your Mind (song)|Free Your Mind]]" (8)
|-
| [[Garbage (band)|Garbage]]
| align="center|[[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|1998]]
| "[[Push It (Garbage song)|Push It]]" (8)
|-
| [[Missy Elliott]]
| align="center|[[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]
| "[[Work It (Missy Elliott song)|Work It]]" (8)
|-
| [[Green Day]]
| align="center|[[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005]]
| "[[American Idiot (song)|American Idiot]]" (2); "[[Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day song)|Boulevard of Broken Dreams]]" (6)
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| align="center|[[2010 MTV Video Music Awards|2010]]
| "[[Not Afraid]]" (8)
|-
| [[Beyoncé]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|2014]]
| "[[Drunk in Love]]" (2); "[[Partition (song)|Partition]]" (2); "[[Pretty Hurts (song)|Pretty Hurts]]" (4)
|-
| [[Iggy Azalea]]
| "[[Fancy (Iggy Azalea song)|Fancy]]" (4); "[[Problem (Ariana Grande song)|Problem]]" (4)
|-
| [[Adele]]
| align="center|[[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|2016]]
| "[[Hello (Adele song)|Hello]]" (7); "[[Send My Love (To Your New Lover)]]" (1)
|-
| [[Kendrick Lamar]]
| align="center|[[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]
| Artist of the Year (for Lamar); "[[Humble (song)|Humble]]" (7)
|-
| [[The Carters]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]
| "[[Apeshit (song)|Apeshit]]" (8)
|-
| [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]
| Artist of the Year (for Drake); "[[God's Plan (song)|God's Plan]]" (5); "[[In My Feelings (song)|In My Feelings]]" (1); "[[Walk It Talk It]]" (1)
|-
| [[Billy Ray Cyrus]]
| align="center|[[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]
| "[[Old Town Road#Billy Ray Cyrus remix|Old Town Road (Remix)]]" (8)
|-
| [[Doja Cat]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|2022]]
| "[[Get Into It (Yuh)]]" (2); "[[I Like You (A Happier Song)]]" (1); "[[Vegas (Doja Cat song)|Vegas]]" (1); "[[Woman (Doja Cat song)|Woman]]" (4)
|-
| [[Harry Styles]]
| Artist of the Year (for Styles); "[[As It Was]]" (5); ''[[Harry's House]]'' (1); "[[Late Night Talking]]" (1)
|-
| [[Jack Harlow]]
| Artist of the Year (for Harlow); "[[First Class (song)|First Class]]" (1); "[[Industry Baby]]" (6)
|-
| [[SZA]]
| align="center|[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|2023]]
| "[[Kill Bill (SZA song)|Kill Bill]]" (5); "[[Shirt (song)|Shirt]]" (2); ''[[SOS (SZA album)|SOS]]'' (1)
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| align="center|[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
| Artist of the Year (for Eminem); "[[Houdini (Eminem song)|Houdini]]" (6); VMAs Most Iconic Performance (for Eminem)
|-
| [[Rosé (singer)|Rosé]]
| align="center|[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|2025]]
| "[[Apt. (song)|Apt]]." (7); "[[Toxic Till the End]]" (1)
|-
| [[Lindsey Buckingham]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]
| rowspan="37" align="center| 7
| "[[Go Insane (song)|Go Insane]]" (4); "[[Slow Dancing (Lindsey Buckingham song)|Slow Dancing]]" (3)
|-
| [[Don Henley]]
| "[[The Boys of Summer (song)|The Boys of Summer]]" (7)
|-
| [[Pat Benatar]]
| align="center|[[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| "[[Sex as a Weapon]]" (7)
|-
| [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]
| "[[Land of Confusion]]" (7)
|-
| [[Steve Winwood]]
| "[[Higher Love]]" (7)
|-
| [[U2]]
| "[[With or Without You]]" (7)
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| align="center|[[1989 MTV Video Music Awards|1989]]
| "[[Express Yourself (Madonna song)|Express Yourself]]" (5); "[[Like a Prayer (song)|Like a Prayer]]" (2)
|-
| [[C+C Music Factory]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1991 MTV Video Music Awards|1991]]
| "[[Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)]]" (6); "[[Things That Make You Go Hmmm...]]" (1)
|-
| [[Chris Isaak]]
| "[[Wicked Game]]" (7)
|-
| [[Van Halen]]
| align="center|[[1992 MTV Video Music Awards|1992]]
| "[[Right Now (Van Halen song)|Right Now]]" (7)
|-
| [[R.E.M.]]
| align="center|[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|1994]]
| "[[Everybody Hurts]]" (7)
|-
| [[Beck]]
| align="center|[[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]
| "[[Devils Haircut]]" (2); "[[The New Pollution]]" (5)
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| align="center|[[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000]]
| "[[Forgot About Dre]]" (1); "[[The Real Slim Shady]]" (6)
|-
| [[Shakira]]
| align="center|[[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|2002]]
| "[[Whenever, Wherever]]" (7)
|-
| [[Justin Timberlake]]
| align="center|[[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]
| "[[Cry Me a River (Justin Timberlake song)|Cry Me a River]]" (5); "[[Rock Your Body]]" (2)
|-
| [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006]]
| "[[Dani California]]" (7)
|-
| [[Shakira]]
| "[[Hips Don't Lie]]" (7)
|-
| [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2007 MTV Video Music Awards|2007]]
| "[[Beautiful Liar]]" (4); Female Artist of the Year; "[[Irreplaceable]]" (1); Quadruple Threat of the Year (for Beyoncé)
|-
| [[Justin Timberlake]]
| "Let Me Talk to You/[[My Love (Justin Timberlake song)|My Love]]" (1); Male Artist of the Year (for Timberlake); Quadruple Threat of the Year (for Timberlake); "[[SexyBack]]" (1); "[[What Goes Around... Comes Around]]" (3)
|-
| [[Britney Spears]]
| align="center|[[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|2009]]
| "[[Circus (Britney Spears song)|Circus]]" (5); "[[Womanizer (song)|Womanizer]]" (2)
|-
| [[Adele]]
| align="center|[[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|2011]]
| "[[Rolling in the Deep]]" (7)
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| align="center|[[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|2014]]
| "[[Berzerk (song)|Berzerk]]" (1); "[[The Monster (song)|The Monster]]" (3); "[[Rap God]]" (3)
|-
| [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]
| align="center|[[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|2016]]
| "[[Hotline Bling]]" (4); "[[One Dance]]" (1); "[[Work (Rihanna song)|Work]]" (2)
|-
| [[Donald Glover|Childish Gambino]]
| align="center|[[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]
| "[[This Is America (song)|This Is America]]" (7)
|-
| [[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]]
| align="center|[[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]
| Artist of the Year (for Halsey); "[[Boy with Luv]]" (4); "[[Nightmare (Halsey song)|Nightmare]]" (2)
|-
| [[The Weeknd]]
| align="center|[[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|2020]]
| Artist of the Year (for The Weeknd); "[[Blinding Lights]]" (6)
|-
| [[BTS]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|2021]]
| Best Group (for BTS); "[[Butter (song)|Butter]]" (5); "[[Dynamite (BTS song)|Dynamite]]" (1); 
|-
| [[Giveon]]
| Best New Artist (for Giveon); "[[Heartbreak Anniversary]]" (2); "[[Peaches (Justin Bieber song)|Peaches]]" (4)
|-
| [[Megan Thee Stallion]]
| Artist of the Year (for Stallion); "[[On Me (Lil Baby song)|On Me (Remix)]]" (1); "[[Thot Shit]]" (1); "[[WAP (song)|WAP]]" (4)
|-
| [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|2022]]
| Artist of the Year (for Drake); ''[[Certified Lover Boy]]'' (1); "[[Wait for U]]" (2); "[[Way 2 Sexy]]" (3)
|-
| [[Kendrick Lamar]]
| "[[Family Ties (song)|Family Ties]]" (3); "[[The Heart Part 5]]" (2); "[[N95 (song)|N95]]" (2)
|-
| [[Lil Nas X]]
| Artist of the Year (for Lil Nas X); "[[Industry Baby]]" (6)
|-
| [[Megan Thee Stallion]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
| "[[Boa (song)|Boa]]" (4); "[[Mamushi (song)|Mamushi]]" (1); "[[Wanna Be]]" (2)
|-
| [[Sabrina Carpenter]]
| Artist of the Year (for Carpenter); Best Pop (for Carpenter); "[[Espresso (song)|Espresso]]" (2); "[[Please Please Please (Sabrina Carpenter song)|Please Please Please]]" (3)
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Ariana Grande]]
| Artist of the Year (for Grande); "[[The Boy Is Mine (Ariana Grande song)|The Boy Is Mine]]" (1); "[[We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)]]" (5)
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|2025]]
| Best Pop Artist (for Grande); [[Brighter Days Ahead]] (6)
|-
| [[The Weeknd]]
| Artist of the Year (for The Weeknd); ''[[Hurry Up Tomorrow]]'' (album)(1); ''[[Hurry Up Tomorrow (film)|Hurry Up Tomorrow]]'' (film)(2); "[[Timeless (The Weeknd and Playboi Carti song)|Timeless]]" (3)
|-
| [[The Cars]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]
| rowspan="60" align="center| 6
| "[[You Might Think]]" (6)
|-
| [[Michael Jackson]]
| "[[Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)|Thriller]]" (6)
|-
| [[ZZ Top]]
| "[[Gimme All Your Lovin']]" (1); "[[Legs (song)|Legs]]" (2); "[[Sharp Dressed Man]]" (3)
|-
| [[Bryan Adams]]
| align="center|[[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]
| "[[Heaven (Bryan Adams song)|Heaven (version 2)]]" (1); "[[Run to You (Bryan Adams song)|Run to You]]" (5)
|-
| [[ZZ Top]]
| align="center|[[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| "[[Rough Boy]]" (6)
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]
| "[[Open Your Heart (Madonna song)|Open Your Heart]]" (3); "[[Papa Don't Preach]]" (3)
|-
| [[Paul Simon]]
| "[[The Boy in the Bubble]]" (5); "[[You Can Call Me Al]]" (1)
|-
| [[Jody Watley]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[1989 MTV Video Music Awards|1989]]
| "[[Real Love (Jody Watley song)|Real Love]]" (6)
|-
| [[Steve Winwood]]
| "[[Roll with It (Steve Winwood song)|Roll with It]]" (6)
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Paula Abdul]]
| "[[Straight Up (Paula Abdul song)|Straight Up]]" (6)
|-
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]
| "[[Opposites Attract]]" (6)
|-
| [[Don Henley]]
| "[[The End of the Innocence (song)|The End of the Innocence]]" (6)
|-
| [[Sinéad O'Connor]]
| "[[Nothing Compares 2 U]]" (6)
|-
| [[Deee-Lite]]
| align="center|[[1991 MTV Video Music Awards|1991]]
| "[[Groove Is in the Heart]]" (6)
|-
| [[En Vogue]]
| align="center|[[1992 MTV Video Music Awards|1992]]
| "[[My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)]]" (6)
|-
| [[Aerosmith]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[1993 MTV Video Music Awards|1993]]
| "[[Livin' on the Edge]]" (6)
|-
| [[Peter Gabriel]]
| "[[Digging in the Dirt]]" (3); "[[Steam (Peter Gabriel song)|Steam]]"  (3)
|-
| [[R.E.M.]]
| "[[Man on the Moon (R.E.M. song)|Man on the Moon]]" (6)
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Björk]]
| align="center|[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|1994]]
| "[[Human Behaviour]]" (6)
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]
| "[[It's Oh So Quiet]]" (6)
|-
| [[Alanis Morissette]]
| "[[Ironic (song)|Ironic]]" (6)
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Will Smith]]
| align="center|[[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|1998]]
| "[[Gettin' Jiggy wit It]]" (5); "[[Just the Two of Us (Will Smith song)|Just the Two of Us]]" (1)
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]
| "[[Miami (Will Smith song)|Miami]]" (3); "[[Wild Wild West (Will Smith song)|Wild Wild West]]" (3)
|-
| [[TLC (group)|TLC]]
| "[[No Scrubs]]" (6)
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[NSYNC]]
| align="center|[[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000]]
| "[[Bye Bye Bye]]" (6)
|-
|  rowspan="4" align="center|[[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]
| "[[Pop (NSYNC song)|Pop]]" (6)
|-
| [[Christina Aguilera]], [[Lil' Kim]], [[Mýa]], & [[Pink (singer)|Pink]]
| "[[Lady Marmalade#Moulin Rouge! version|Lady Marmalade]]" (6)
|-
| [[Dido (singer)|Dido]]
| "[[Stan (song)|Stan]]" (5); "[[Thank You (Dido song)|Thank You]]" (1)
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Missy Elliott]]
| "[[Get Ur Freak On]]" (6)
|-
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|2002]]
| "[[One Minute Man|One Minute Man (Remix)]]" (6)
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| "[[Without Me (Eminem song)|Without Me]]" (6)
|-
| [[P.O.D.]]
| "[[Alive (P.O.D. song)|Alive]]" (5); "[[Youth of the Nation]]" (1)
|-
| [[Johnny Cash]]
| align="center|[[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]
| "[[Hurt (Nine Inch Nails song)#Johnny Cash version|Hurt]]" (6)
|-
| [[Jay-Z]]
| align="center|[[2004 MTV Video Music Awards|2004]]
| "[[99 Problems]]" (6)
|-
| [[Gwen Stefani]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005]]
| "[[Hollaback Girl]]" (4); "[[What You Waiting For?]]" (2)
|-
| [[Missy Elliott]]
| "[[Lose Control (Missy Elliott song)|Lose Control]]" (6)
|- 
| [[The Pussycat Dolls]]
| align="center|[[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|2008]]
| "[[When I Grow Up (The Pussycat Dolls song)|When I Grow Up]]" (6)
|-
| [[Kanye West]]
| align="center|[[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|2011]]
| "[[All of the Lights]]" (4); "[[Power (Kanye West song)|Power]]" (2)
|-
| [[Justin Timberlake]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2013 MTV Video Music Awards|2013]]
| "[[Mirrors (Justin Timberlake song)|Mirrors]]" (4); "[[Suit & Tie]]" (2)
|-
| [[Macklemore]] and [[Ryan Lewis]]
| "[[Can't Hold Us]]" (4); "[[Same Love]]" (1); "[[Thrift Shop (song)|Thrift Shop]]" (1)
|-
| [[Ed Sheeran]]
| align="center|[[2015 MTV Video Music Awards|2015]]
| "[[Don't (Ed Sheeran song)|Don't]]" (2); "[[Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran song)|Thinking Out Loud]]" (4)
|-
| [[Bruno Mars]]
| align="center|[[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]
| Artist of the Year (for Mars); "[[Finesse (Bruno Mars song)|Finesse (Remix)]]" (5)
|-
| [[Jonas Brothers]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]
| Artist of the Year (for Jonas Brothers); Best Group (for Jonas Brothers); "[[Sucker (song)|Sucker]]" (4)
|-
| [[Shawn Mendes]]
| Artist of the Year (for Mendes); "[[Señorita (Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello song)|Señorita]]" (5)
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|2020]]
| "[[Cardigan (song)|Cardigan]]" (1); "[[Lover (Taylor Swift song)|Lover]]" (2); "[[The Man (Taylor Swift song)|The Man]]" (3)
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Billie Eilish]]
| "[[All the Good Girls Go to Hell]]" (3); "[[Everything I Wanted]]" (2); "[[Xanny (song)|Xanny]]" (1)
|-
| rowspan="5" align="center|[[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|2021]]
| "[[Happier Than Ever (song)|Happier Than Ever]]" (1); "[[Lo Vas a Olvidar]]" (1); "[[Therefore I Am (song)|Therefore I Am]]" (2); "[[Your Power]]" (2)
|-
| [[Cardi B]]
| "[[Rumors (Lizzo song)|Rumors]]" (1); "[[WAP (song)|WAP]]" (4); "[[Wild Side (Normani song)|Wild Side]]" (1)
|-
| [[Doja Cat]]
| Artist of the Year (for Doja Cat); "[[Best Friend (Saweetie song)|Best Friend]]" (1); "[[Kiss Me More]]" (2); "[[Need to Know (Doja Cat song)|Need to Know]]" (1); "[[You Right]]" (1)
|-
| [[Lil Nas X]]
| "[[Industry Baby]]" (1); "[[Montero (Call Me by Your Name)]]" (5)
|-
| [[Olivia Rodrigo]]
| Artist of the Year (for Rodrigo); Best New Artist (for Rodrigo); "[[Drivers License (song)|Drivers License]]" (2); "[[Good 4 U]]" (2)
|-
| [[Billie Eilish]]
| align="center|[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|2022]]
| "[[Happier Than Ever (song)|Happier Than Ever]]" (4); ''[[Happier Than Ever]]'' (1); ''[[Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles]]'' (1)
|-
| [[Blackpink]]
| rowspan="5" align="center|[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|2023]]
| Best Group (for Blackpink); [[Born Pink World Tour]] (1); "[[Pink Venom]]" (4)
|-
| [[Doja Cat]]
| Artist of the Year (for Doja Cat); "[[Attention (Doja Cat song)|Attention]]" (3); "[[I Like You (A Happier Song)]]" (1); "[[Paint the Town Red (Doja Cat song)|Paint the Town Red]]" (1)
|-
| [[Miley Cyrus]]
| ''[[Endless Summer Vacation]]'' (1); "[[Flowers (Miley Cyrus song)|Flowers]]" (4); "[[River (Miley Cyrus song)|River]]" (1)
|-
| [[Nicki Minaj]]
| Artist of the Year (for Minaj); "[[Barbie World]]" (1); "[[Love in the Way]]" (1); "[[Super Freaky Girl]]" (3)
|-
| [[Olivia Rodrigo]]
| "[[Vampire (Olivia Rodrigo song)|Vampire]]" (6)
|-
| [[SZA]]
| align="center|[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
| Artist of the Year (for SZA); "[[Rich Baby Daddy]]" (2); "[[Saturn (SZA song)|Saturn]]" (1); "[[Snooze (SZA song)|Snooze]]" (2)
|-
| [[Billie Eilish]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|2025]]
| "[[Birds of a Feather (Billie Eilish song)|Birds of a Feather]]" (2); "[[Guess (song)|Guess]]" (4)
|-
| [[Tate McRae]]
| Best Pop Artist (for McRae); "[[Just Keep Watching]]" (3); "[[Sports Car (song)|Sports Car]]" (1); "[[What I Want (Morgan Wallen song)|What I Want]]" (1)
|-
| [[Billy Idol]]
| align="center| [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]
| rowspan="79" align="center| 5
| "[[Dancing with Myself]]" (3); "Eye Without a Face" (2)
|-
| [[Eurythmics]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| [[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]
| "[[Would I Lie to You? (Eurythmics song)|Would I Lie to You?]]" (5)
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| "[[Like a Virgin (Madonna song)|Like a Virgin]]" (3); "[[Material Girl]]" (2)
|-
| [[Tom Petty]]
| "[[Don't Come Around Here No More]]" (5)
|-
| [[Robert Palmer]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| [[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| "[[Addicted to Love (song)|Addicted to Love]]" (5)
|-
| [[Talking Heads]]
| "[[And She Was]]" (2); "[[Road to Nowhere]]" (3)
|-
| [[X (American band)|X]]
| "Burning House of Love" (5)
|-
| [[Eurythmics]]
| align="center| [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]
| "[[Missionary Man (song)|Missionary Man]]" (5)
|-
| [[Bruce Springsteen]]
| align="center| [[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|1988]]
| "[[Tunnel of Love (Bruce Springsteen song)|Tunnel of Love]]" (5)
|-
| [[MC Hammer]]
| align="center| [[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]
| "[[U Can't Touch This]]" (5)
|-
| [[George Michael]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| [[1991 MTV Video Music Awards|1991]]
| "[[Freedom! '90]]" (5)
|-
| [[Queensrÿche]]
| "[[Silent Lucidity]]" (5)
|-
| [[Seal (musician)|Seal]]
| "[[Crazy (Seal song)|Crazy]]" (5)
|-
| [[Pearl Jam]]
| align="center| [[1993 MTV Video Music Awards|1993]]
| "[[Jeremy (song)|Jeremy]]" (5)
|-
| [[Beastie Boys]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|1994]]
| "[[Sabotage (Beastie Boys song)|Sabotage]]" (5)
|-
| [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]
| "[[Heart-Shaped Box]]" (5)
|-
| [[Weezer]]
| align="center| [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]]
| "[[Buddy Holly (song)|Buddy Holly]]" (5)
|-
| [[Bone Thugs-n-Harmony]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]
| "[[Tha Crossroads]]" (5)
|-
| [[Coolio]]
| "[[1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)]]" (2); "[[Gangsta's Paradise]]" (3)
|-
| [[Foo Fighters]]
| "[[Big Me]]" (5)
|-
| [[Nine Inch Nails]]
| align="center| [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]
| "[[The Perfect Drug]]" (5)
|-
| [[Busta Rhymes]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]
| "[[Gimme Some More]]" (1); "[[What's It Gonna Be?!]]" (4)
|-
| [[Jennifer Lopez]]
| Best Artist Website; "[[If You Had My Love]]" (4)
|-
| [[Lauryn Hill]]
| "[[Doo Wop (That Thing)]]" (5)
|-
| [[Christina Aguilera]]
| rowspan="4" align="center| [[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000]]
| "[[What a Girl Wants (Christina Aguilera song)|What a Girl Wants]]" (5)
|-
| [[Metallica]]
| "[[I Disappear]]" (5)
|-
| [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]]
| "[[Californication (song)|Californication]]" (5)
|-
| [[Sisqó]]
| "[[Thong Song]]" (4); "[[Thong Song]]" (Remix)(1)
|-
| [[Destiny's Child]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]
| "[[Independent Women|Independent Women Part I]]" (2); "[[Survivor (Destiny's Child song)|Survivor]]" (3)
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| "[[Stan (song)|Stan]]" (5)
|-
| [[U2]]
| "[[Beautiful Day]]" (1); "[[Elevation (song)|Elevation (Tomb Raider Mix)]]" (4)
|-
| [[Enrique Iglesias]]
| align="center| [[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|2002]]
| "[[Escape (Enrique Iglesias song)|Escape]]" (1); "[[Hero (Enrique Iglesias song)|Hero]]" (4)
|-
| [[50 Cent]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]
| "[[In da Club]]" (5)
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| "[[Lose Yourself]]" (5)
|-
| [[Beyoncé]]
| rowspan="4" align="center| [[2004 MTV Video Music Awards|2004]]
| "[[Me, Myself and I (Beyoncé song)|Me, Myself and I]]" (1); "[[Naughty Girl (Beyoncé song)|Naughty Girl]]" (4)
|-
| [[No Doubt]]
| "[[It's My Life (Talk Talk song)#No Doubt version|It's My Life]]" (5)
|-
| [[OutKast]]
| "[[Hey Ya!]]" (5)
|-
| [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]]
| "[[Burn (Usher song)|Burn]]" (1); "[[Yeah! (Usher song)|Yeah!]]" (4)
|-
| [[My Chemical Romance]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005]]
| "[[Helena (My Chemical Romance song)|Helena]]" (5)
|-
| [[U2]]
| "[[Vertigo (U2 song)|Vertigo]]" (5)
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006]]
| "[[Hung Up]]" (5)
|-
| [[Panic! at the Disco]]
| "[[I Write Sins Not Tragedies]]" (5)
|-
| [[Kanye West]]
| align="center| [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards|2007]]
| Male Artist of the Year (for West); Quadruple Threat of the Year (for West); "[[Stronger (Kanye West song)|Stronger]]" (3)
|-
| [[Chris Brown]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|2008]]
| "[[Forever (Chris Brown song)|Forever]]" (3); "[[Kiss Kiss (Chris Brown song)|Kiss Kiss]]" (1); "[[With You (Chris Brown song)|With You]]" (1)
|-
| [[Katy Perry]]
| "[[I Kissed a Girl]]" (5)
|-
| [[Beyoncé]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[2010 MTV Video Music Awards|2010]]
| "[[Video Phone (Extended Remix)]]" (5)
|-
| [[B.o.B]]
| "[[Airplanes (song)|Airplanes]]" (4); "[[Nothin' on You]]" (1)
|-
| [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[2012 MTV Video Music Awards|2012]]
| "[[HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)|HYFR]]" (1); "[[Take Care (song)|Take Care]]" (4)
|-
| [[Rihanna]]
| "[[We Found Love (music video)|We Found Love]]" (3); "[[Where Have You Been]]" (2)
|-
| [[Charli XCX]]
| align="center| [[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|2014]]
| "[[Boom Clap]]" (1); "[[Fancy (Iggy Azalea song)|Fancy]]" (4)
|-
| [[Beyoncé]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[2015 MTV Video Music Awards|2015]]
| "[[7/11 (song)|7/11]]" (5)
|-
| [[Mark Ronson]]
| "[[Uptown Funk]]" (5)
|-
| [[Ariana Grande]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|2016]]
| "[[Into You (Ariana Grande song)|Into You]]" (4); "[[Let Me Love You (Ariana Grande song)|Let Me Love You]]" (1)
|-
| [[Rihanna]]
| "[[This Is What You Came For]]" (3); "[[Work (Rihanna song)|Work]]" (2)
|-
| [[DJ Khaled]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]
| "[[I'm the One (DJ Khaled song)|I'm the One]]" (1); "[[Wild Thoughts]]" (4)
|-
| [[Katy Perry]]
| "[[Bon Appétit (song)|Bon Appétit]]" (1); "[[Chained to the Rhythm]]" (3); "[[Feels (song)|Feels]]" (1)
|-
| [[The Weeknd]]
| Artist of the Year (for The Weeknd); "[[Reminder (song)|Reminder]]" (4)
|-
|  [[Ariana Grande]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]
| Artist of the Year (for Grande); "[[No Tears Left to Cry]]" (4)
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Camila Cabello]]
| Artist of the Year (for Cabello); "[[Havana (Camila Cabello song)|Havana]]" (4)
|-
| rowspan="4" align="center| [[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]
| "[[Señorita (Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello song)|Señorita]]" (5)
|-
| [[BTS]]
| Best Group (for BTS); "[[Boy with Luv]]" (4)
|-
| [[Cardi B]]
| Artist of the Year (for Cardi B); "[[Money (Cardi B song)|Money]]" (1); "[[Please Me]]" (1); "[[Taki Taki (song)|Taki Taki]]" (1); "[[Wish Wish]]" (1)
|-
| [[J Balvin]]
| "[[Con Altura]]" (3); "[[I Can't Get Enough]]" (1); "[[Say My Name (David Guetta, Bebe Rexha and J Balvin song)|Say My Name]]" (1)
|-
| [[DaBaby]]
| rowspan="5" align="center| [[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|2020]]
| Artist of the Year (for DaBaby); "[[Bop (DaBaby song)|Bop]]" (2); "[[My Oh My (Camila Cabello song)|My Oh My]]" (1); "[[Rockstar (DaBaby song)|Rockstar]]" (1)
|-
| [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]
| "[[Life Is Good (song)|Life Is Good]]" (3); "[[Popstar (DJ Khaled song)|Popstar]]" (1); "[[Toosie Slide]]" (1)
|-
| [[Megan Thee Stallion]]
| Artist of the Year (for Stallion); "[[Savage (Megan Thee Stallion song)|Savage]]" (2); "[[Savage (Megan Thee Stallion song)|Savage (Remix)]] (1)"; "[[WAP (song)|WAP]]" (1)
|-
| [[Roddy Ricch]]
| Best New Artist (for Ricch); "[[The Box (Roddy Ricch song)|The Box]]" (2); "[[Rockstar (DaBaby song)|Rockstar]]" (1); "[[The Woo]]" (1)
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Dua Lipa]]
| "[[Break My Heart (Dua Lipa song)|Break My Heart]]" (1); "[[Don't Start Now]]" (1); "[[Physical (Dua Lipa song)|Physical]]" (3)
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|2021]]
| "[[Levitating (song)|Levitating]]" (2); "[[Prisoner (Miley Cyrus song)|Prisoner]]" (2); "[[Un Dia (One Day)]]" (1)
|-
| [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]
| "[[Laugh Now Cry Later]]" (2); "[[Popstar (DJ Khaled song)|Popstar]]" (2); "[[What's Next (Drake song)|What's Next]]" (1)
|-
| [[BTS]]
| rowspan="7" align="center| [[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|2022]]
| Best Group (for BTS); Best Metaverse Performance; "[[My Universe (song)|My Universe]]" (1); "[[Permission to Dance]]" (1); "[[Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)]]" (1)
|-
| [[Dua Lipa]]
| "[[Cold Heart (Pnau remix)]]" (2); "[[Sweetest Pie]]" (3)
|-
| [[Ed Sheeran]]
| Artist of the Year (for Sheeran); "[[Bam Bam (Camila Cabello song)|Bam Bam]]" (1); "[[Shivers (Ed Sheeran song)|Shivers]]" (3)
|-
| [[Future (rapper)|Future]]
| "[[Wait for U]]" (2); "[[Way 2 Sexy]]" (3)
|-
| [[Lizzo]]
| Artist of the Year (for Lizzo); "[[About Damn Time]]" (4)
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]]
| [[All Too Well: The Short Film]] (5)
|-
| [[The Weeknd]]
| "[[La Fama (song)|La Fama]]" (1); "[[One Right Now]]" (1); "[[Out of Time (The Weeknd song)|Out of Time]]" (1); "[[Take My Breath]]" (1); "[[Tears in the Club]]" (1)
|-
| [[Sam Smith]] & [[Kim Petras]]
| align="center| [[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|2023]]
| "[[Unholy (Sam Smith and Kim Petras song)|Unholy]]" (5)
|-
| [[Charli XCX]]
| align="center| [[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|2025]]
| Best Pop Artist (for Charli XCX); "[[Guess (song)|Guess]]" (4)
|}

===Most nominations for a single video===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:65%;"
|-
! style="width:25%;"| Artist(s)
! style="width:10%;"| Year
! style="width:13%;"| Number of nominations
! style="width:52%;"| Music video
|-
| [[Dire Straits]]
| align="center|[[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| 11
| "[[Money for Nothing (song)|Money for Nothing]]"
|-
| [[Michael Jackson]] & [[Janet Jackson]]
| align="center|[[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]]
| "[[Scream (Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson song)|Scream]]"
|-
| [[Peter Gabriel]]
| align="center|[[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]
| rowspan="4" align="center| 10
| "[[Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel song)|Sledgehammer]]"
|-
| [[TLC (group)|TLC]]
| align="center| [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]]
| "[[Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls]]"
|-
| [[Jamiroquai]]
| align="center| [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]
| "[[Virtual Insanity]]"
|-
| [[Lady Gaga]]
| align="center| [[2010 MTV Video Music Awards|2010]]
| "[[Bad Romance]]"
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| align="center|[[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]
| rowspan="9" align="center| 9
| "[[Vogue (Madonna song)|Vogue]]"
|-
| [[R.E.M.]]
| align="center|[[1991 MTV Video Music Awards|1991]]
| "[[Losing My Religion]]"
|-
| [[Green Day]]
| align="center|[[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]]
| "[[Basket Case (song)|Basket Case]]"
|-
| [[Korn]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]
| "[[Freak on a Leash]]"
|-
| [[Ricky Martin]]
| "[[Livin' la Vida Loca]]"
|-
| [[Fatboy Slim]]
| align="center|[[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]
| "[[Weapon of Choice (song)|Weapon of Choice]]"
|-
| [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]]
| align="center|[[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|2009]]
| "[[Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)]]"
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]]
| align="center|[[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]
| "[[You Need to Calm Down]]"
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]] (<small>featuring [[Post Malone]]</small>)
| align="center|[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
| "[[Fortnight (song)|Fortnight]]"
|-
|[[Herbie Hancock]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]
| rowspan="14" align="center| 8
| "[[Rockit (song)|Rockit]]"
|-
| [[The Police]]
| "[[Every Breath You Take]]"
|-
| [[A-ha]]
| align="center|[[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| "[[Take On Me]]"
|-
| [[INXS]]
| align="center|[[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|1988]]
| "[[Need You Tonight]] / [[Mediate (song)|Mediate]]"
|-
| [[Aerosmith]]
| align="center|[[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]
| "[[Janie's Got a Gun]]"
|-
| [[En Vogue]]
| align="center|[[1993 MTV Video Music Awards|1993]]
| "[[Free Your Mind (song)|Free Your Mind]]"
|-
| [[The Smashing Pumpkins]]
| align="center|[[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]
| "[[Tonight, Tonight (The Smashing Pumpkins song)|Tonight, Tonight]]"
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|1998]]
| "[[Ray of Light (song)|Ray of Light]]"
|-
| [[Garbage (band)|Garbage]]
| "[[Push It (Garbage song)|Push It]]"
|-
| [[Missy Elliott]]
| align="center|[[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]
| "[[Work It (Missy Elliott song)|Work It]]"
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| align="center|[[2010 MTV Video Music Awards|2010]]
| "[[Not Afraid]]"
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]] (<small>featuring [[Kendrick Lamar]]</small>)
| align="center|[[2015 MTV Video Music Awards|2015]]
| "[[Bad Blood (Taylor Swift song)|Bad Blood]]"
|-
| [[The Carters]]
| align="center|[[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]
| "[[Apeshit (song)|Apeshit]]"
|-
| [[Lil Nas X]] (<small>featuring [[Billy Ray Cyrus]]</small>)
| align="center|[[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]
| "[[Old Town Road#Billy Ray Cyrus remix|Old Town Road (Remix)]]"
|-
| [[Don Henley]]
| align="center|[[1985 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]
| rowspan="20" align="center| 7
| "[[The Boys of Summer (song)|The Boys of Summer]]"
|-
| [[Pat Benatar]]
| align="center|[[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| "[[Sex as a Weapon]]"
|-
| [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]
| "[[Land of Confusion]]"
|-
| [[Steve Winwood]]
| "[[Higher Love]]"
|-
| [[U2]]
| "[[With or Without You]]"
|-
| [[Chris Isaak]]
| align="center|[[1991 MTV Video Music Awards|1991]]
| "[[Wicked Game]]"
|-
| [[Van Halen]]
| align="center|[[1992 MTV Video Music Awards|1992]]
| "[[Right Now (Van Halen song)|Right Now]]"
|-
| [[R.E.M.]]
| align="center|[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|1994]]
| "[[Everybody Hurts]]"
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Shakira]]
| align="center|[[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|2002]]
| "[[Whenever, Wherever]]"
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006]]
| "[[Hips Don't Lie]]"
|-
| [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]]
| "[[Dani California]]"
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Adele]]
| align="center|[[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|2011]]
| "[[Rolling in the Deep]]"
|-
| align="center|[[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|2016]]
| "[[Hello (Adele song)|Hello]]"
|-
| [[Kendrick Lamar]]
| align="center|[[2017 MTV Video Music Awards|2017]]
| "[[Humble (song)|Humble.]]"
|-
| [[Donald Glover|Childish Gambino]]
| align="center|[[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]
| "[[This Is America (song)|This Is America]]"
|-
| [[Lady Gaga]] & [[Ariana Grande]]
| align="center|[[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|2020]]
| "[[Rain on Me (Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande song)|Rain on Me]]"
|- 
| [[Taylor Swift]]
| align="center|[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|2023]]
| "[[Anti-Hero (song)|Anti-Hero]]"
|-
| [[Rosé (singer)|Rosé]] & [[Bruno Mars]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|2025]]
| "[[Apt. (song)|Apt]]."
|-
| [[Kendrick Lamar]]
| "[[Not Like Us]]"
|-
| [[Sabrina Carpenter]]
| "[[Manchild (Sabrina Carpenter song)|Manchild]]"
|-
| [[The Cars]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]
| rowspan="41" align="center| 6
| "[[You Might Think]]"
|-
| [[Cyndi Lauper]]
| "[[Girls Just Want to Have Fun]]"
|-
| [[Michael Jackson]]
| "[[Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)|Thriller]]"
|-
| [[ZZ Top]]
| align="center|[[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| "[[Rough Boy]]"
|-
| [[George Harrison]]
| align="center|[[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|1988]]
| "[[When We Was Fab]]"
|-
| [[Michael Jackson]]
| rowspan="4" align="center|[[1989 MTV Video Music Awards|1989]]
| "[[Leave Me Alone (Michael Jackson song)|Leave Me Alone]]"
|-
|[[Jody Watley]]
| "[[Real Love (Jody Watley song)|Real Love]]"
|-
| [[Steve Winwood]]
| "[[Roll with It (Steve Winwood song)|Roll with It]]"
|-
| rowspan="2" align="left|[[Paula Abdul]]
| "[[Straight Up (Paula Abdul song)|Straight Up]]"
|-
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]
| "[[Opposites Attract]]"
|-
| [[Don Henley]]
| "[[The End of the Innocence (song)|The End of the Innocence]]"
|-
| [[Sinéad O'Connor]]
| "[[Nothing Compares 2 U]]"
|-
| [[C+C Music Factory]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1991 MTV Video Music Awards|1991]]
| "[[Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)]]"
|-
| [[Deee-Lite]]
| "[[Groove Is in the Heart]]"
|-
| [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1992 MTV Video Music Awards|1992]]
| "[[Give It Away (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)|Give It Away]]"
|-
| [[En Vogue]]
| "[[My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)]]"
|-
| [[Aerosmith]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1993 MTV Video Music Awards|1993]]
| "[[Livin' on the Edge]]"
|-
| [[R.E.M.]]
| "[[Man on the Moon (R.E.M. song)|Man on the Moon]]"
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Björk]]
| align="center|[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|1994]]
| "[[Human Behaviour]]"
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]
| "[[It's Oh So Quiet]]"
|-
| [[Alanis Morissette]]
| "[[Ironic (song)|Ironic]]"
|-
| [[TLC (group)|TLC]]
| align="center|[[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]
| "[[No Scrubs]]"
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000]]
| "[[The Real Slim Shady]]"
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[NSYNC]]
| "[[Bye Bye Bye]]"
|-
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]
| "[[Pop (NSYNC song)|Pop]]"
|-
| [[Christina Aguilera]], [[Lil' Kim]], [[Mýa]] and [[Pink (singer)|Pink]] (<small>featuring [[Missy Elliott]]</small>)
| "[[Lady Marmalade#Moulin Rouge! version|Lady Marmalade]]"
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Missy Elliott]]
| "[[Get Ur Freak On]]"
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|2002]]
| "[[One Minute Man|One Minute Man (Remix)]]"
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| "[[Without Me (Eminem song)|Without Me]]"
|-
| [[Johnny Cash]]
| align="center|[[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]
| "[[Hurt (Nine Inch Nails song)#Johnny Cash version|Hurt]]"
|-
| [[Jay-Z]]
| align="center|[[2004 MTV Video Music Awards|2004]]
| "[[99 Problems]]"
|-
| [[Green Day]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005]]
| "[[Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day song)|Boulevard of Broken Dreams]]"
|-
| [[Missy Elliott]]
| "[[Lose Control (Missy Elliott song)|Lose Control]]"
|-
| [[The Pussycat Dolls]]
| align="center|[[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|2008]]
| "[[When I Grow Up (The Pussycat Dolls song)|When I Grow Up]]"
|-
| [[Beyoncé]]
| align="center|[[2016 MTV Video Music Awards|2016]]
| "[[Formation (song)|Formation]]"
|-
| [[The Weeknd]]
| align="center|[[2020 MTV Video Music Awards|2020]]
| "[[Blinding Lights]]"
|-
| [[Lil Nas X]] & [[Jack Harlow]]
| align="center|[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|2022]]
| "[[Industry Baby]]"
|-
| [[Olivia Rodrigo]]
| align="center|[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|2023]]
| "[[Vampire (Olivia Rodrigo song)|Vampire]]"
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| align="center|[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
| "[[Houdini (Eminem song)|Houdini]]"
|-
| [[Ariana Grande]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2025 MTV Video Music Awards|2025]]
| [[Brighter Days Ahead]]
|-
| [[Lady Gaga]]
| "[[Abracadabra (Lady Gaga song)|Abracadabra]]"
|-
| [[Bryan Adams]]
| rowspan="4" align="center|[[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1985]]
| rowspan="59" align="center| 5
| "[[Run to You (Bryan Adams song)|Run to You]]"
|-
| [[David Lee Roth]]
| "[[Just a Gigolo (song)#"Just a Gigolo"/"I Ain't Got Nobody" medley|Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody]]"
|-
| [[Eurythmics]]
| "[[Would I Lie to You? (Eurythmics song)|Would I Lie to You?]]"
|-
| [[Tom Petty]]
| "[[Don't Come Around Here No More]]"
|-
| [[Robert Palmer]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[1986 MTV Video Music Awards|1986]]
| "[[Addicted to Love (song)|Addicted to Love]]"
|-
| [[X (American band)|X]]
| "Burning House of Love"
|-
| [[Eurythmics]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]
| "[[Missionary Man (song)|Missionary Man]]"
|-
| [[Paul Simon]]
| "[[The Boy in the Bubble]]"
|-
| [[Bruce Springsteen]]
| align="center| [[1988 MTV Video Music Awards|1988]]
| "[[Tunnel of Love (Bruce Springsteen song)|Tunnel of Love]]"
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| align="center| [[1989 MTV Video Music Awards|1989]]
| "[[Express Yourself (Madonna song)|Express Yourself]]"
|-
| [[MC Hammer]]
| align="center| [[1990 MTV Video Music Awards|1990]]
| "[[U Can't Touch This]]"
|-
| | [[George Michael]]
| rowspan="3" align="center| [[1991 MTV Video Music Awards|1991]]
| "[[Freedom! '90]]"
|-
| [[Queensrÿche]]
| "[[Silent Lucidity]]"
|-
| [[Seal (musician)|Seal]]
| "[[Crazy (Seal song)|Crazy]]"
|-
| [[Pearl Jam]]
| align="center| [[1993 MTV Video Music Awards|1993]]
| "[[Jeremy (song)|Jeremy]]"
|-
| [[Aerosmith]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|1994]]
| "[[Amazing (Aerosmith song)|Amazing]]"
|-
| [[Beastie Boys]]
| "[[Sabotage (Beastie Boys song)|Sabotage]]"
|-
| [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]
| "[[Heart-Shaped Box]]"
|-
| [[Weezer]]
| align="center| [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]]
| "[[Buddy Holly (song)|Buddy Holly]]"
|-
| [[Bone Thugs-n-Harmony]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|1996]]
| "[[Tha Crossroads]]"
|-
| [[Foo Fighters]]
| "[[Big Me]]"
|-
| [[Beck]]
| rowspan="2" align="center| [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]
| "[[The New Pollution]]"
|-
| [[Nine Inch Nails]]
| "[[The Perfect Drug]]"
|-
| [[Will Smith]]
| align="center|[[1998 MTV Video Music Awards|1998]]
| "[[Gettin' Jiggy wit It]]"
|-
| [[Lauryn Hill]]
| align="center|[[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]
| "[[Doo Wop (That Thing)]]"
|-
| [[Christina Aguilera]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[2000 MTV Video Music Awards|2000]]
| "[[What a Girl Wants (Christina Aguilera song)|What a Girl Wants]]"
|-
| [[Metallica]]
| "[[I Disappear]]"
|-
| [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]]
| "[[Californication (song)|Californication]]"
|-
| [[Eminem]] (<small>featuring [[Dido (singer)|Dido]]</small>)
| align="center|[[2001 MTV Video Music Awards|2001]]
| "[[Stan (song)|Stan]]"
|-
| [[P.O.D.]]
| align="center|[[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|2002]]
| "[[Alive (P.O.D. song)|Alive]]"
|-
| [[50 Cent]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]
| "[[In da Club]]"
|-
| [[Eminem]]
| "[[Lose Yourself]]"
|-
| [[Justin Timberlake]]
| "[[Cry Me a River (Justin Timberlake song)|Cry Me a River]]"
|-
| [[No Doubt]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2004 MTV Video Music Awards|2004]]
| "[[It's My Life (Talk Talk song)#No Doubt version|It's My Life]]"
|-
| [[OutKast]]
| "[[Hey Ya!]]"
|-
| [[My Chemical Romance]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005]]
| "[[Helena (My Chemical Romance song)|Helena]]"
|-
| [[U2]]
| "[[Vertigo (U2 song)|Vertigo]]"
|-
| [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2006 MTV Video Music Awards|2006]]
| "[[Hung Up]]"
|-
| [[Panic! at the Disco]]
| "[[I Write Sins Not Tragedies]]"
|-
| [[Katy Perry]]
| align="center|[[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|2008]]
| "[[I Kissed a Girl]]"
|-
| [[Britney Spears]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2009 MTV Video Music Awards|2009]]
| "[[Circus (Britney Spears song)|Circus]]"
|-
| [[Lady Gaga]]
| "[[Paparazzi (Lady Gaga song)|Paparazzi]]"
|-
| [[Beyoncé]]
| align="center|[[2010 MTV Video Music Awards|2010]]
| "[[Video Phone (Extended Remix)]]"
|-
| [[Katy Perry]]
| align="center|[[2011 MTV Video Music Awards|2011]]
| "[[E.T. (song)|E.T.]]"
|-
| [[Beyoncé]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2015 MTV Video Music Awards|2015]]
| "[[7/11 (song)|7/11]]"
|-
| [[Mark Ronson]] (<small>featuring [[Bruno Mars]]</small>)
| "[[Uptown Funk]]"
|-
| [[Bruno Mars]] (<small>featuring [[Cardi B]]</small>)
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2018 MTV Video Music Awards|2018]]
| "[[Finesse (Bruno Mars song)|Finesse (Remix)]]"
|-
| [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]
| "[[God's Plan (song)|God's Plan]]"
|-
| [[Ariana Grande]]
| rowspan="3" align="center|[[2019 MTV Video Music Awards|2019]]
| "[[Thank U, Next (song)|Thank U, Next]]"
|-
| [[Billie Eilish]]
| "[[Bad Guy (Billie Eilish song)|Bad Guy]]"
|-
| [[Shawn Mendes]] & [[Camila Cabello]]
| "[[Señorita (Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello song)|Señorita]]"
|-
| [[BTS]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2021 MTV Video Music Awards|2021]]
| "[[Butter (song)|Butter]]"
|-
| [[Lil Nas X]]
| "[[Montero (Call Me by Your Name)]]"
|-
| [[Harry Styles]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2022 MTV Video Music Awards|2022]]
| "[[As It Was]]"
|-
| [[Taylor Swift]]
| [[All Too Well: The Short Film]]
|-
| [[Sam Smith]] & [[Kim Petras]]
| rowspan="2" align="center|[[2023 MTV Video Music Awards|2023]]
| "[[Unholy (Sam Smith and Kim Petras song)|Unholy]]"
|-
| [[SZA]]
| "[[Kill Bill (SZA song)|Kill Bill]]"
|-
| [[Ariana Grande]]
| align="center|[[2024 MTV Video Music Awards|2024]]
| "[[We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)]]"
|}

==Performances==

=== Pre-Show ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Performers
|-
|1995
|Silverchair 
|-
|1996
|Beck • No Doubt
|-
|1997
|Foo Fighters • The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
|-
|1998
|Usher • Barenaked Ladies
|-
|1999
|[[Smash Mouth]] • [[Blink-182]]
|-
|2000
|[[Papa Roach]]
|-
|2001
|[[Alien Ant Farm]] • [[City High]] (feat. [[Eve (rapper)|Eve]])
|-
|2002
|[[Avril Lavigne]] • Ludacris (feat. I-20 & Shawnna)
|-
|2003
|Sean Paul • Black Eyed Peas 
|-
|2004
|Jadakiss (feat Anthony Hamilton) • Ashlee Simpson • New Found Glory
|-
|2005
|Mike Jones (feat. Slim Thug & Paul Wall) • Rihanna • Fall Out Boy
|-
|2006
|Fergie • My Chemical Romance 
|-
|2007
|[[Nicole Scherzinger]] (feat. Lil Wayne) 
|-
|2008
|Dance-off Performance: [[Fanny Pak]] vs. [[Kaba Modern]]
|-
|2009
|N/A
|-
|2010
|Nicki Minaj (feat. will.i.am)
|-
|2011
|[[Cobra Starship]] (feat. [[Sabi (singer)|Sabi]])
|-
|2012
|Demi Lovato
|-
|2013
|Austin Mahone • Ariana Grande
|-
|2014
|Fifth Harmony • Charli XCX
|-
|2015
|[[Walk the Moon|Walk The Moon]] • [[Todrick Hall]] • [[Nick Jonas]]
|-
|2016
|Alessia Cara (feat. Troye Sivan) • Jidenna • Lukas Graham 
|-
|2017
|Cardi B • Bleachers • Khalid
|-
|2018
|Bazzi • Bryce Vine • Backstreet Boys
|-
|2019
|Ava Max • CNCO • Megan Thee Stallion
|-
|2020
|Jack Harlow • Tate McRae • Chloe x Halle • Lewis Capaldi • Machine Gun Kelley (feat. Blackbear & Travis Barker)
|-
|2021
|Polo G • Kim Petras • Swedish House Mafia
|-
|2022
|Saucy Santana • Yung Gravy • Dove Cameron
|-
|2023
|NLE Choppa • Sabrina Carpenter
|-
|2024
|[[Le Sserafim]]
|-
|2025
|[[Katseye|KATSEYE]]
|}

=== Main Show ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%; width:100%;"
|+
|-
! Year
! Performers (chronologically)
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1984}}
| {{hlist|[[Rod Stewart]]|[[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]|[[Huey Lewis and the News]]|[[David Bowie]]|[[Tina Turner]]|[[ZZ Top]]|[[Ray Parker Jr.]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1985}}
| {{hlist|[[Eurythmics]]|[[David Ruffin]] & [[Eddie Kendrick]] & [[Hall & Oates]]|[[Tears for Fears]]|[[John Cougar Mellencamp]]|[[Pat Benatar]]|[[Sting (musician)|Sting]]|[[Eddie Murphy]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1986}}
| {{hlist|[[Robert Palmer]]|[[The Hooters]]|[[The Monkees]]|[['Til Tuesday]]|[[INXS]]|[[Van Halen]]|[[Mr. Mister]]|[[Simply Red]]|[[Whitney Houston]]|[[Pet Shop Boys]]|[[Tina Turner]]|[[Genesis (band)|Genesis]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1987}}
| {{hlist|[[Los Lobos]]|[[Bryan Adams]]|[[The Bangles]]|[[Bon Jovi]]|[[Crowded House]]|Madonna|[[Whitesnake]]|Whitney Houston|[[The Cars]]|David Bowie|[[Prince (musician)|Prince]]|[[Cyndi Lauper]]|[[Run-D.M.C.]] (feat. [[Steven Tyler]] & [[Joe Perry (musician)|Joe Perry]])}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1988}}
| {{hlist|Rod Stewart|[[Jody Watley]]|[[Aerosmith]]|[[Elton John]]|[[Depeche Mode]]|[[Crowded House]]|[[Cher]]|[[The Fat Boys]] (feat. [[Chubby Checker]])|[[Guns N' Roses]]|[[INXS]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1989}}
| {{hlist|Madonna|[[Bobby Brown]]|[[Def Leppard]]|[[Tone-Loc]]|[[The Cult]]|[[Paula Abdul]]|[[Jon Bon Jovi]] & [[Richie Sambora]]|[[The Cure]]|[[Cher]]|[[The Rolling Stones]]|[[Axl Rose]] & [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1990}}
| {{hlist|[[Janet Jackson]]|[[Mötley Crüe]]|[[MC Hammer]]|[[INXS]]|[[Sinéad O'Connor]]|[[New Edition]] (feat. Bobby Brown)|[[Faith No More]]|[[Phil Collins]]|[[2 Live Crew]]|[[World Party]]|Aerosmith|Madonna}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1991}}
| {{hlist|Van Halen|[[C+C Music Factory]]|[[Poison (American band)|Poison]]|[[Mariah Carey]]|[[EMF (band)|EMF]]|Paula Abdul|[[Queensrÿche]]| [[LL Cool J]]|[[Metallica]]|[[Don Henley]]|[[Guns N' Roses]]|Prince and the [[New Power Generation]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1992}}
| {{hlist|[[The Black Crowes]]|Bobby Brown|[[U2]] & [[Dana Carvey]]|[[Def Leppard]]|[[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]|Elton John|[[Pearl Jam]]|[[Red Hot Chili Peppers]]|Michael Jackson|Bryan Adams|[[En Vogue]]|[[Eric Clapton]]|Guns N' Roses & Elton John}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1993}}
| {{hlist|Madonna|[[Lenny Kravitz]] (feat. [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]])|Sting|[[Soul Asylum]] & [[Peter Buck]] & [[Victoria Williams]]|Aerosmith|[[Naughty by Nature]]|[[R.E.M.]]|[[Spin Doctors]]|Pearl Jam|[[The Edge]]|Janet Jackson}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1994}}
| {{hlist|Aerosmith|[[Boyz II Men]]|[[The Smashing Pumpkins]]|The Rolling Stones|[[Green Day]]|[[Beastie Boys]]|[[Alexandrov Ensemble|Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble]] & [[Leningrad Cowboys]]|[[Salt-n-Pepa]]|[[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]]|[[Snoop Dogg|Snoop Doggy Dogg]]|[[Stone Temple Pilots]]|[[Bruce Springsteen]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1995}}
| {{hlist|Michael Jackson (feat. [[Slash (musician)|Slash]])|[[Live (band)|Live]]|[[TLC (group)|TLC]]|R.E.M.|Red Hot Chili Peppers|Bon Jovi, [[Alanis Morissette]]|[[Hootie & the Blowfish]]|[[Hole (band)|Hole]]|Green Day|[[White Zombie (band)|White Zombie]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1996}}
| {{hlist|The Smashing Pumpkins|[[The Fugees]] (feat. [[Nas]])|Metallica|LL Cool J|[[Neil Young]]|[[Hootie & the Blowfish]]|[[Alanis Morissette]]|[[Bush (British band)|Bush]]|[[The Cranberries]]|[[Oasis (band)|Oasis]]|[[Bone Thugs-n-Harmony]]|[[Kiss (band)|Kiss]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1997}}
| {{hlist|[[Puff Daddy]] (feat. [[Faith Evans]], [[112 (band)|112]], [[Mase]] & Sting)|[[Jewel (singer)|Jewel]]|[[The Prodigy]]|[[The Wallflowers]] (feat. Bruce Springsteen)|[[Lil' Kim]] & [[Da Brat]] & [[Missy Elliott]] & [[Lisa Lopes|Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes]] & [[Angie Martinez]]|U2|[[Beck]]| [[Spice Girls]]|[[Jamiroquai]]|[[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1998}}
| {{hlist|Madonna|[[Pras]] (feat. [[Ol' Dirty Bastard]], [[Mýa]], [[Wyclef Jean]] & [[Canibus]])|Hole|[[Master P]] (feat. [[Silkk Tha Shocker]], [[Mystikal]] & [[Mia X]])|[[Backstreet Boys]]|Beastie Boys|[[Brandy (entertainer)|Brandy]] & [[Monica (singer)|Monica]]|[[Dave Matthews Band]]|Marilyn Manson|[[Brian Setzer Orchestra]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1999}}
| {{hlist|[[Kid Rock]] (feat. [[Run-DMC]], Steven Tyler, Joe Perry & [[Joe C.]])|[[Lauryn Hill]]|Backstreet Boys|[[Ricky Martin]]|[[Nine Inch Nails]]|TLC|[[Fatboy Slim]]|[[Jay-Z]] (feat. [[DJ Clue]] & [[Amil (rapper)|Amil]])|[[Britney Spears]] & [['N Sync]]|[[Eminem]] & [[Dr. Dre]] & Snoop Dogg}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2000}}
| {{hlist|Janet Jackson|[[Rage Against the Machine]]|[[Sisqo]] (feat. [[Dru Hill]])|Britney Spears|Eminem|Red Hot Chili Peppers|'N Sync|[[Nelly]]|[[Christina Aguilera]] (feat. [[Fred Durst]])|[[Blink-182]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2001}}
| {{hlist|[[Jennifer Lopez]] (feat. [[Ja Rule]])|[[Linkin Park]] & [[the X-Ecutioners]]|[[Alicia Keys]]|'N Sync (feat. Michael Jackson)|[[Andy Dick|Daphne Aguilera]]|Jay-Z|[[Staind]]|[[Missy Elliott]] (feat. [[Nelly Furtado]]|[[Ludacris]] & [[Trina]])|U2|Britney Spears}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2002}}
| {{hlist|Bruce Springsteen & the [[E Street Band]]|[[Pink (singer)|Pink]]|Ja Rule & [[Ashanti (entertainer)|Ashanti]] & Nas|[[Shakira]]|Eminem|[[Sean Combs|P. Diddy]] (feat. [[Busta Rhymes]], [[Ginuwine]], [[Pharrell]] & [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]])|[[Sheryl Crow]]|[[The Hives]]|[[The Vines (band)|The Vines]]|[[Justin Timberlake]] (feat. [[Clipse]])| Guns N' Roses}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2003}}
| {{hlist|Madonna (feat. Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera & Missy Elliott)|[[Good Charlotte]]|Christina Aguilera (feat. [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]] & [[Dave Navarro]])|[[50 Cent]] (feat. Snoop Dogg)|[[Mary J. Blige]] (feat. [[Method Man]] & 50 Cent)|[[Coldplay]]|[[Beyoncé]] (feat. Jay Z)|Metallica}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2004}}
| {{hlist|Usher|[[Jet (band)|Jet]]|[[Hoobastank]]|[[Yellowcard]]|[[Kanye West]] (feat. [[Chaka Khan]] & [[Syleena Johnson]])|[[Lil Jon]] & the East Side Boyz|[[Ying Yang Twins]]|[[Petey Pablo]]|[[Terror Squad (group)|Terror Squad]] (feat. [[Fat Joe]])|[[Jessica Simpson]]|Nelly (feat. Christina Aguilera)|Alicia Keys (feat. Lenny Kravitz & [[Stevie Wonder]])|[[The Polyphonic Spree]]|[[OutKast]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2005}}
| {{hlist|Green Day|Ludacris (feat. [[Bobby Valentino (American singer)|Bobby Valentino]])|MC Hammer|Shakira (feat. [[Alejandro Sanz]])|[[R. Kelly]]|[[The Killers]]|P. Diddy & Snoop Dogg|[[Don Omar]]|[[Tego Calderón]]|[[Daddy Yankee]]|Coldplay|Kanye West (feat. [[Jamie Foxx]])|Mariah Carey (feat. [[Jadakiss]] & [[Jermaine Dupri]])|50 Cent (feat. [[Mobb Deep]] & [[Tony Yayo]])|[[My Chemical Romance]]|[[Kelly Clarkson]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2006}}
| {{hlist|Justin Timberlake (feat. [[Timbaland]])|Shakira & [[Wyclef Jean]]|Ludacris (feat. Pharrell & [[Pussycat Dolls]])|[[OK Go]]|[[The All-American Rejects]]|Beyoncé|[[T.I.]] (feat. [[Young Dro]])|[[Panic! at the Disco]]|[[Busta Rhymes]]|Missy Elliott|Christina Aguilera|[[Tenacious D]]|The Killers}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2007}}
| {{hlist|Britney Spears|[[Chris Brown (American entertainer)|Chris Brown]] (feat. [[Rihanna]])|Linkin Park|Alicia Keys|Timbaland (feat. Nelly Furtado, [[Sebastian (rapper)|Sebastian]], [[Keri Hilson]] & Justin Timberlake)}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2008}}
| {{hlist|Rihanna|[[Jonas Brothers]]|[[Lil Wayne]] (feat. [[Leona Lewis]] & [[T-Pain]])|[[Paramore]]|Pink|T.I. (feat. Rihanna)|Christina Aguilera|Kanye West|[[Katy Perry]]|Kid Rock (feat. Lil Wayne)|[[The Ting Tings]]|LL Cool J|[[Lupe Fiasco]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2009}}
| {{hlist|Janet Jackson & [[This Is It (concert residency)|This Is It]] back-up dancers|Katy Perry & Joe Perry|[[Taylor Swift]]|[[Lady Gaga]]|Green Day|Beyoncé|[[Muse (band)|Muse]]|Pink|Jay-Z & Alicia Keys}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2010}}
| {{hlist|Eminem (feat. Rihanna)|[[Justin Bieber]]|Usher|[[Florence and the Machine]]|Taylor Swift|[[Drake (entertainer)|Drake]] (feat. Mary J. Blige & [[Swizz Beatz]])|[[B.o.B]] & [[Paramore]] (feat. [[Bruno Mars]])|Linkin Park|Kanye West}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2011}}
| {{hlist|Lady Gaga (feat. [[Brian May]])|Jay Z & Kanye West|[[Pitbull (rapper)|Pitbull]] (feat. [[Ne-Yo]] & [[Nayer]])|[[Adele]]|Chris Brown|Beyoncé|[[Young the Giant]]|Bruno Mars|Lil Wayne}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2012}}
| {{hlist|Rihanna (feat. [[ASAP Rocky]] & [[Calvin Harris]])|Pink|[[Frank Ocean]]|[[One Direction]]|Lil Wayne & [[2 Chainz]]|Green Day|Alicia Keys (feat. [[Nicki Minaj]])|Taylor Swift}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2013}}
| {{hlist|Lady Gaga|[[Miley Cyrus]] & [[Robin Thicke]] (feat. 2 Chainz & [[Kendrick Lamar]])|Kanye West|Justin Timberlake (feat. 'N Sync)|[[Macklemore & Ryan Lewis]] (feat. [[Mary Lambert (singer-songwriter)|Mary Lambert]] & [[Jennifer Hudson]])|Drake|Bruno Mars|Katy Perry}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2014}}
| {{hlist|[[Ariana Grande]] & [[Nicki Minaj]] & [[Jessie J]]|Taylor Swift|[[Sam Smith (singer)|Sam Smith]]|Usher (feat. [[Nicki Minaj]])|[[Iggy Azalea]] (feat. [[Rita Ora]])|[[5 Seconds of Summer]]|[[Maroon 5]]|Beyoncé}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2015}}
| {{hlist|Nicki Minaj & Taylor Swift|Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (feat. [[Foxy Shazam|Eric Nally]], [[Melle Mel]], [[Kool Moe Dee]], [[Grandmaster Caz]])|[[The Weeknd]]|[[Demi Lovato]] (feat. Iggy Azalea)|Justin Bieber|[[Tori Kelly]]|Pharrell Williams|[[Twenty One Pilots]] & ASAP Rocky|Miley Cyrus}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2016}}
| {{hlist|Rihanna|Ariana Grande (feat. Nicki Minaj)|[[Future (rapper)|Future]]|
[[Nick Jonas]] (feat. [[Ty Dolla Sign]])|Beyoncé|Britney Spears (feat. [[G-Eazy]])|[[The Chainsmokers]] (feat. [[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]])}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2017}}
| {{hlist|Kendrick Lamar|[[Ed Sheeran]] (feat. [[Lil Uzi Vert]])|[[Julia Michaels]]|[[Shawn Mendes]]|[[Lorde]]|[[Fifth Harmony]] (feat. [[Gucci Mane]])|Miley Cyrus|Demi Lovato|Pink|[[Kyle (musician)|Kyle]]|[[Alessia Cara]]|[[Logic (musician)|Logic]] (feat. [[Khalid (American singer)|Khalid]] & Alessia Cara)|[[Thirty Seconds to Mars]] (feat. [[Travis Scott]])|[[DNCE]] & Rod Stewart|Katy Perry (feat. [[Nicki Minaj]])}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2018}}
| {{hlist|Shawn Mendes|Logic (feat. [[Ryan Tedder]])|Panic! at the Disco|Nicki Minaj|Jennifer Lopez (feat. [[DJ Khaled]] & Ja Rule)|Ariana Grande|Travis Scott (feat. [[James Blake (musician)|James Blake]])|[[Maluma (singer)|Maluma]]|[[Post Malone]] (feat. [[21 Savage]] & Aerosmith)}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2019}}
|{{hlist|Taylor Swift|Shawn Mendes|[[Lizzo]]|Jonas Brothers|[[Lil Nas X]]|Missy Elliott|Shawn Mendes & [[Camila Cabello]]|Miley Cyrus|[[Rosalía (singer)|Rosalía]] (feat. [[Ozuna (singer)|Ozuna]])|[[H.E.R.]]|[[Normani]]|[[Big Sean]] (feat. [[A$AP Ferg]])|[[AJ Mitchell]]|[[Bad Bunny]] & [[J Balvin]]|[[Queen Latifah]], Naughty By Nature, Redman, [[Fetty Wap]] & Wyclef Jean}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2020}}
|{{hlist|The Weeknd|[[DaBaby]]|Miley Cyrus|Maluma|[[BTS]]|Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande|[[Doja Cat]]|[[Keke Palmer]]|[[CNCO]]|[[Black Eyed Peas]], [[Nicky Jam]] & [[Tyga]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2021}}
|{{hlist|Justin Bieber & [[the Kid Laroi]]|[[Olivia Rodrigo]]|[[Kacey Musgraves]]|Twenty One Pilots|Ed Sheeran|Lil Nas X & [[Jack Harlow]]|Camila Cabello|Shawn Mendes & [[Tainy]]|Doja Cat|[[Chloe Bailey|Chlöe]]|Normani|Ozuna|Foo Fighters|Alicia Keys (feat. [[Swae Lee]])|[[Busta Rhymes]] & [[Spliff Star]]|[[Machine Gun Kelly (musician)|Machine Gun Kelly]] & [[Travis Barker]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2022}}
|{{hlist|Jack Harlow & [[Fergie (singer)|Fergie]]|Lizzo|[[Blackpink]]|J Balvin & Ryan Castro|Khalid & [[Marshmello]]|Nicki Minaj|Eminem & Snoop Dogg|Red Hot Chili Peppers|[[Anitta (singer)|Anitta]]|[[Kane Brown]]|[[Måneskin]]|Bad Bunny|Panic! at the Disco}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2023}}
|{{hlist|Lil Wayne|Olivia Rodrigo|[[Cardi B]] & [[Megan Thee Stallion]]|Demi Lovato|Anitta|Doja Cat|Shakira|Nicki Minaj|[[Karol G]]|Diddy|[[Peso Pluma]]|[[Stray Kids]]|[[Metro Boomin]] (feat. Future, [[A Boogie wit da Hoodie]], Swae Lee & [[Nav (rapper)|Nav]])|[[Fall Out Boy]]||[[Tomorrow X Together]] & Anitta|Måneskin|[[Kelsea Ballerini]]}}
|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2024}}
|{{hlist|Eminem|Karol G|[[Lisa (rapper)|Lisa]]|Shawn Mendes|[[Sabrina Carpenter]]|Anitta|Katy Perry|[[Chappell Roan]]|Megan Thee Stallion|[[Benson Boone]]|[[Rauw Alejandro]]|Halsey|Lenny Kravitz|Camila Cabello|[[GloRilla]]|LL Cool J}}

|-
| align="center"| {{mtvvma|2025}}
|{{hlist|Busta Rhymes|Ricky Martin|[[Alex Warren]]|[[DJ Snake]] & J Balvin|Sabrina Carpenter|[[Sombr]]|Mariah Carey|[[Conan Gray]]|Doja Cat|[[Jelly Roll (singer)|Jelly Roll]]|Post Malone|[[Tate McRae]]|Lady Gaga}}
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[MTV Asia Awards]]
* [[MTV Europe Music Awards]]
* [[MTV Video Music Awards Japan]]
* [[MTV Video Music Brasil]]
* [[MTV 500]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website}}

{{MTV Video Music Awards}}
{{MTVawards}}
{{Musicawards}}
{{Music based programs on MTV}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:MTV Video Music Awards| ]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1984]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:American music awards]]