The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards take place tonight (September 7) at Long Island’s UBS Arena. LL Cool J will host the show—a gig he previously shared with Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow in 2022. Set to take the stage, too, are Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Sabrina Carpenter, and more. Check out the full list of performers for the 2025 MTV VMAs below.
The VMAs broadcast begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on the CBS Television Network. The show will also simulcast on MTV and stream on Paramount+ in the United States. The VMAs pre-show (hosted by Nessa and Kevan Kenney) airs live, beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, on MTV, BET, BET Her, Comedy Central, CMT, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, and VH1.
Follow along with all of Pitchfork’s coverage of the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
Alex Warren
British songwriter and guitarist Alex Warren will make his VMAs debut hot on the heels of releasing his debut album, You’ll Be Alright Kid. He’s among the nominees for Best New Artist and chances are he’ll perform the single “Ordinary,” which reached No. 1 on both the U.S. and UK charts this summer.
Bailey Zimmerman Featuring the Kid Laroi
Country artist Bailey Zimmerman and the Kid Laroi will hit the Extended Play Stage Presented by Doritos® to perform their collaborative single “Lost.”
Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes is the first recipient of the brand-new MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award. Having first performed at the show in 1997, tonight marks his seventh VMAs appearance over the span of nearly three decades.
Conan Gray
Pop singer Conan Gray will take the VMAs stage for the first time, to play “Vodka Cranberry” from his new album, Wishbone.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat’s theatrical antics have made her a VMAs fixture. She performed “Been Like This” and “You Right” in 2021, and, in 2023, delivered a medley of the Scarlet singles “Attention,” “Paint the Town Red,” and “Demons.” Tonight, she’s set to give “Jealous Type,” the lead single from her forthcoming album, Vie, its live debut.
J Balvin
Thirteen-time nominee J Balvin will be joined by Juistin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez for the trio’s new song “Zun Zun,” and then he and DJ Snake will play their single “Noventa” live for the first time. The reggaeton superstar has brought his collaborative spirit to past VMAs with assists from Bad Bunny, in 2019, and Ryan Castro, in 2022.
