Since its debut in 1984, MTV’s Video Music Awards (VMAs) have held a significant place in our culture, celebrating the art of visual storytelling in music. The 38th edition of this iconic event unfolded at New Jersey’s Prudential Center, where artists graced the pink carpet and performed in a crowd-less arena, all in the pursuit of creating unforgettable moments.
Anticipation was high for this year’s VMAs, promising a night filled with music and excitement to close out the summer. Nicki Minaj took on the role of host, a lineup of talented artists from both the domestic and international scenes was ready to captivate the audience, and a tribute to hip-hop, celebrating its 50th anniversary, was poised to leave us in awe. It seemed like a recipe for success, didn’t it?
In the aftermath of the event, members of the Complex Music team have come together to reflect on whether the VMAs achieved their goal of delivering a night to remember. They share their thoughts on the highs, lows, and everything in between that made up the evening’s experience.
The Low Points
The length of the show
During this year’s VMAs, the format was a bit different, with performers seamlessly transitioning from one set to another. For instance, Lil Wayne’s opening act flowed directly into Olivia Rodrigo’s performance, without separate intros. This pattern continued throughout the night. Despite the intention to streamline the show, it still ran for nearly three hours, concluding at midnight Eastern time. This runtime seemed excessive, particularly because there were fewer skits and additional content than usual, mainly due to the host, Nicki Minaj, not having much of a presence.
Long runtimes have been a common issue with awards shows, but this year’s VMAs seemed to try to fit too much into one Tuesday night. As a result, some of the performances fell short, making the extended duration somewhat questionable. —Jordan Rose
Nicki Minaj barely hosted
Earlier this month, the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards created a buzz by announcing Nicki Minaj as the host of the event, joining the ranks of past hosts like Miley Cyrus, Russell Brand, and Chelsea Handler, among others. Fans, particularly her devoted Barbz, were eager to see what Minaj would bring to MTV’s grandest night. However, her hosting stint turned out to be rather underwhelming, leaving many wondering what happened to the theatrics they had anticipated.
Nicki Minaj did kick off the show, extending a warm welcome to celebrities and guests. She delivered a brief opening speech, humorously mentioning that MTV had concerns about her potential remarks, to which she assured, “It’s okay, MTV. I can control myself.” But after her initial monologue, Minaj seemed to vanish from her hosting duties. As hours passed, awards were presented, and other celebrities took the stage, Nicki Minaj was conspicuously absent.
Her next appearance didn’t occur until halfway through the show when she performed singles from her upcoming album. At one point, she even changed her outfit and was spotted in the audience. She concluded the evening with a brief closing speech. However, it’s difficult to categorize her involvement in the event as a proper hosting gig. It leaves us wondering whether she chose to remain silent or if she was silenced, as Oprah might say. —Jessica McKinney
The Highlights
Doja Cat’s popurrí
Despite facing some technical glitches in audio and camera work, Doja Cat delivered a captivating performance last night. She made excellent use of the ample space and featured choreography that mirrored her latest music video, with dancers painted to resemble blood. The rapper commanded attention as she demonstrated that her live renditions are just as powerful as her studio recordings.
The atmosphere in the venue, as well as among viewers at home, was electric and spirited. It left us eagerly anticipating the release of her upcoming project, “Scarlet,” set to drop next Friday. Additionally, her upcoming tour alongside Ice Spice, who introduced her, promises to be an exciting event on the horizon. —Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo
Sexyy Red’s Quest For Food
Sexyy Red has been making headlines recently, making notable appearances such as running out with the New York Jets for their home opener. Even though she didn’t take the stage at the Video Music Awards, her presence was still felt. True to her engaging nature, Sexyy took to Twitter to voice the questions that many viewers at home were likely pondering: “So the VMAs ain’t got no food fr?” It turned out that they did not.
The rapper then took us on a journey as she attempted to secure some sustenance within the event. Disappointment struck when she shared, “They ain’t let my Uber eats in man,” as images circulated of her appearing bored at the show. Unfortunately, Sexyy Red couldn’t satisfy her hunger before the show concluded, but her live-tweeting adventure provided entertainment that rivaled some of the performances. —Jordan Rose
Latinas Win Big
The year 2023 has seen remarkable achievements for Latin women in the music industry. Karol G, on her inaugural stadium tour, has been effortlessly setting records, while Shakira’s triumphant return has earned her numerous accolades. Notably, Shakira achieved her first-ever Top 10 debut in over three decades in the music industry, thanks to a stirring performance with Bizarrap.
At the VMAs ’23, the balance between performances and awards was somewhat skewed, but the moments when Karol and Shakira graced the stage were truly special. Shakira clinched one of the most prestigious awards of the night, securing her place in history as a Video Vanguard. Her performance journey through her extensive catalog, spanning from “She Wolf” in 2009 to this year’s “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” catered to both her devoted, long-time fans and her newly acquired, younger audience.
In the end, both artists received the well-deserved Best Collaboration award for “TQG,” marking a significant win for Colombia and Latin America. Let’s not forget to acknowledge the strong and resilient women who have risen from challenging situations – a true testament to their strength. “Ah-ooooo.” —Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo
The Head-Scratchers
What happened to the drama at awards shows?
Unlike some other prestigious awards shows like the Grammys or Golden Globes, the MTV Video Music Awards have built a reputation for being a night filled with unexpected drama and memorable chaos. MTV has embraced this reputation for years, and it’s what sets the VMAs apart.
In the past, we’ve witnessed iconic moments like Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera sharing a three-way kiss in 2003, Kanye West famously interrupting Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech in favor of Beyoncé in 2009, and Miley Cyrus making headlines in 2013 for her provocative performance with a foam finger. The list of memorable incidents goes on.
However, this year’s VMAs took a different turn; it was surprisingly drama-free, and that’s where the disappointment lies. There were no unexpected interruptions, no heated arguments (despite brief rumors surrounding Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Timberlake, which were quickly debunked), and not even a minor wardrobe malfunction. Even Nicki Minaj refrained from stirring up controversy with her words.
In the absence of drama, the VMAs felt like just another lengthy awards show where various individuals, some well-known and others less so, received their trophies. The absence of that trademark chaos left us with an event that lacked the usual excitement and unpredictability. —Jessica McKinney
HH50 tribute
This year, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, major music awards shows have been making efforts to pay tribute to the genre. The VMAs also joined in, but their rendition left something to be desired.
There were certainly some standout moments, like Nicki Minaj’s electrifying performance of “Itty Bitty Piggy” and the acknowledgment of legends like Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, as well as Lil Wayne, on a platform not typically associated with rap. However, the transition from Nicki and Wayne to LL Cool J and DMC felt somewhat disjointed. The audience already seemed a bit bewildered during Grandmaster Flash’s performance, and LL Cool J’s songs were unfamiliar to the under-40 crowd, causing further disconnect.
The tribute could have been enhanced by featuring artists from various generations and improving the flow between acts and eras. Additionally, placing the tribute at the end of an already lengthy broadcast may have hindered its impact. —Jordan Rose
