MTV has announced the first wave of performers and honorees for the 2025 “Video Music Awards,” airing live Sept. 7 on CBS.
Alex Warren, Busta Rhymes, J Balvin with DJ Snake, Ricky Martin, Sabrina Carpenter, and sombr will take the stage at New York’s UBS Arena. The show will broadcast live coast-to-coast at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS, simulcast on MTV, and streaming on Paramount+ in the United States. LL COOL J will host.
Hip-hop veteran Busta Rhymes will receive the inaugural MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award, honoring his cultural influence and career accomplishments, including 20 million albums sold worldwide, 12 Grammy nominations, and seven Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200. Ricky Martin will be honored with the first Latin Icon Award, recognizing his decades-long impact on music and culture.
Busta Rhymes
Rhymes’ award will mark his latest milestone following decades of recognition in music. He previously closed the 2021 “VMAs” with a medley of his biggest hits and was named Global Icon at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards.
Alex Warren
The singer-songwriter and MTV PUSH artist will make his VMA debut, performing his No. 1 global hit “Ordinary.” Warren is nominated for Best New Artist, Best Pop and Song of the Year.
J Balvin with DJ Snake
Balvin will return to the VMA stage with “Zun Zun,” joined by Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez. He will then team with DJ Snake for the premiere of their collaboration “Noventa.” Balvin, a 13-time nominee, is seeking his sixth Moon Person, which would make him the most awarded Latin artist in VMA history.
Ricky Martin
Martin will become the first recipient of the Latin Icon Award, celebrating a career that has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide. His VMA performance comes 26 years after his 1999 debut, when he won five awards, including Best Pop Video.
Sabrina Carpenter
Carpenter, who earned Song of the Year in 2024, returns to the stage with eight nominations, including Video of the Year for “Manchild,” the lead single from her forthcoming album Man’s Best Friend.
sombr
The singer-songwriter and producer will make his award show debut with “back to friends.” He is nominated for Best New Artist and Best Alternative.
The “VMAs” will air live Sunday, Sept. 7.
