Recap: The 2024 VMA’s

Written by Sasha Townend

On Sep. 11, the 40th MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) took place on the UBS Arena stage in Elmont, New York, celebrating the most famous musical artists of 2024. This year highlighted the artists like Chappel Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, and many others. The award ceremony, dubbed the “Super Bowl of Music,” was an event to remember. 2024 has been an interesting year when it comes to music, with new styles becoming more popular and new artists rising to fame. Here are some of the highlights:

Taylor Swift Swept Up: Taylor Swift made history at this year’s VMAs by taking home seven awards, including the prestigious Video of the Year for her song “Anti-Hero.” She won in several major categories, including Best Pop Artist and Artist of the Year. Swift's dominance at the event solidified her place among the contemporary music industry's most influential people.

Best New Artist: The most current and relevant pop star is the 26-year-old Chappell Roan. She is known for her hits “Pink Pony Club,” “Good Luck Babe,” and “HOT TO GO!” Roan has quickly become one of the most popular artists in just a few months, creating music that is unique and relatable to many communities. 

Song of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” became an immediate hit in April. It is upbeat and catchy and explores themes of ambition and self-confidence. Carpenter has also begun to gain more popularity recently because of her talent and connection to fans through her music and on-screen performances, along with her appearances throughout Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.

Video for Good: Billie Eilish has released many music videos, one of which was created for “What Was I Made For?” which is widely recognized from the Barbie (2023) movie. The video was rewarded due to its poignant themes and powerful visuals. The video addresses deep emotional topics such as identity, purpose, and self-reflection, which resonated with many viewers. It was celebrated for its artistic direction and ability to convey a meaningful message about mental health and vulnerability.

Best Hip-Hop / Best Visual Effects: Eminem’s “Houdini” won the Best Hip-Hop Video award this year. The track is the lead single from his album The Death of Slim Shady and impressed with its return to Eminem's early persona, blending nostalgia with modern elements. The music video further captured audiences with groundbreaking special effects, such as the use of AI to deage Eminem and recreate his iconic 2002 look, helping the song also win Best Visual Effects.

Best R&B: “Snooze” by SZA won the Best R&B award this year because of its excellent production, moving vocal delivery, and authentic lyrics about vulnerability and love. The song gained popularity among fans due to its laid-back atmosphere and soulful nature. SZA's unique voice and the track's skill at blending contemporary elements with classic R&B made it stand out from the other nominees.

Best Alternative: Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” was recognized due to Boone's increasing popularity and the song’s deep emotional impact. Fans and critics were enthralled by his emotional lyrics and strong vocals, which elevated the song above others in the alternative genre. Boone received recognition as well for his enthusiastic live performance of the song at the VMAs, which was met with a standing ovation.

Best Rock: Lenny Kravitz’s song “Human” won in the Best Rock category due to its compelling production and strong message about the need for compassion and the desire to be seen and understood by others. The song highlights Kravitz's signature sound and range of emotions by merging elements of classic rock with modern themes. 

Best Latin: With her song “Mil Veces,” Anitta won Best Latin Video, her third consecutive victory in this category. Her explosive blend of Brazilian funk and Latin pop was acknowledged with the award, establishing her as an important figure in the globalization of Brazilian music. 

Best Afrobeats: Tyla's song “Water” won Best Afrobeats due to its infectious rhythm, catchy melody, and widespread appeal. The track blends Afrobeats with pop influences, creating a sound that resonated globally, earning viral success on platforms like TikTok.

Best K-Pop: Lisa won for her song “Rockstar,” a song which showcased her commanding stage presence and solidified her place in popular culture around the world. Being the first solo artist to win the Best K-pop award twice, Lisa created history and showed her enduring influence in the K-pop industry as well as her strong fan base.

Best Cinematography: Ariana Grande's “We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” won due to its visually stunning music video, directed by Christian Breslauer. The video, inspired by the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, employed surreal, dreamlike imagery to explore themes of memory and heartbreak, reflecting the song's emotional depth. 

Best Choreography: Dua Lipa's “Houdini” won Best Choreography for its intricate and captivating dance routines that expertly combined classic and modern elements. The choreography was specifically memorable due to the unique hand movements replicating magic tricks, along with the group dynamic and formations. Rich Lee's visually stunning choreography was a major factor in enhancing the song's bright energy and making it stand out.

Best Art Direction: Megan Thee Stallion's “BOA” won because of its visually striking and cohesive design, which blended vibrant colors, intricate set pieces, and thematic elements that elevated the song's snake-inspired narrative.

Best Trending Video: Megan Thee Stallion and Yuki Chiba's “Mamushi” won the award due to its captivating fusion of Japanese culture with striking visuals, including Megan's transformation into a giant snake, which went viral on social media platforms. 

Best Group: Seventeen, a South Korean boy band, won in the Best Group category at the 2024 awards due to their consistent chart-topping hits, impressive global influence, and standout performances that captivated fans and critics alike.

The 40th anniversary of the MTV VMAs was highly celebrated with incredible performances and emotional events. This year's event was a mix of nostalgia and fresh enthusiasm and, overall, the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards was a memorable event enjoyed by millions of people worldwide.