Taylor Swift continued her reign at the 40th annual MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) by taking home the top honor of the night for the third consecutive year. Swift’s video of the year win for her hit collaboration Fortnight featuring Post Malone marked her fifth victory in this prestigious category, setting a new record for the most wins in this category.
The star-studded event, held at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 11, 2024, was filled with musical performances and nostalgic tributes to iconic moments from the VMAs’ 40-year history. Despite the show’s primary focus on live performances from big names like Sabrina Carpenter, Post Malone, and Megan Thee Stallion, Swift’s record-breaking moment became a significant highlight of the evening.
Swift Shines with Seven Wins
Not only did Swift take home the coveted video of the year award, but she also dominated the evening by winning a total of seven awards, including best collaboration. Her seven trophies for the night brought her overall VMA win total to 30, tying her with Beyoncé as the artist with the most VMA wins ever.
A Star-Studded Night of Performances
The 2024 VMAs were filled with electrifying performances and quirky moments. Donning a blond wig, Eminem, along with a multitude of look-alikes opened the show with a high-energy set.
Sabrina Carpenter delivered a playful and memorable performance of Please, Please, Please, Taste and the VMA’s “Song of the Year,” Espresso featuring a surprise kiss with an alien, and Katy Perry accepted the prestigious Video Vanguard Award.
Megan Thee Stallion, who hosted the event, wowed the audience with a medley of tracks from her snake-themed album, while Chappell Roan won the VMA for best new artist.
The night was also marked by Swift’s emotional nod to 9/11, as she honored the lives lost on the 23rd anniversary of the tragic event, reminding the audience of the significance of the day before accepting her award for best collaboration.
LL Cool J Rocks the Stage
To cap off the evening, LL Cool J and Public Enemy brought a nostalgic celebration of hip-hop’s history and the 40th anniversary of Def Jam Recordings. Their performance was a fitting tribute to the deep musical history that the VMAs have celebrated for decades.
With her seven wins, Taylor Swift once again proved her dominance in the music industry, continuing her legacy as one of the most awarded artists in VMAs history.
WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY BELOW:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR, Presented by Burger King
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift – Republic Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” – Island Records
BEST NEW ARTIST
Chappell Roan – Island Records
MTV PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
June 2024: LE SSERAFIM – “EASY” – SOURCE MUSIC / Geffen Records
BEST COLLABORATION
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records
BEST POP
Taylor Swift – Republic Records
BEST HIP-HOP
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
BEST R&B
SZA – “Snooze” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records
BEST ROCK
Lenny Kravitz – “Human” – ℗© 2024 Roxie Records Inc. under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management GmbH
BEST LATIN
Anitta – “Mil Veces” – Floresta Records / Republic Records / Universal Music Latin Entertainment
BEST AFROBEATS
Tyla – “Water” – FAX Records / Epic Records
BEST K-POP
LISA – “Rockstar” – Lloud Co. / RCA Records
VIDEO FOR GOOD
Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For (From The Motion Picture “Barbie”)” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
BEST DIRECTION
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Directed by Taylor Swift
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” – Republic Records – Cinematography
by Anatol Trofimov
BEST EDITING
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Editing by Chancler Haynes
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Dua Lipa – “Houdini” – Warner Records – Choreography by Charm La’Donna
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Synapse Virtual
Production, Louise Lee, Rich Lee, Metaphysic, Flawless Post
BEST ART DIRECTION
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions – Art Direction by Brittany Porter
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