2021 MTV VMAs: Here’s the List of Winners and Performers

Lil Nas X performing at the 2021 MTV VMAS. Credit: Courtesy of MTV

The MTV Video Music Awards returned live on stage Sunday at the Barclays Center in New York, after the pandemic forced a socially distanced show last year. This year, “Kiss Me More” artist Doja Cat served as host of the VMAs.

Lil Nas X was one of the biggest winners of the night along with 18-year-old Olivia Rodrigo and Justin Bieber. Lil Nas won the award for video of the year for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” while Bieber was named artist of the year and Rodrigo took home the award for best new artist. 

Related Story: ‘SNL’: Lil Nas X Accidentally Rips Pants During ‘Montero’ Performance

After taking the stage, Lil Nas performed his hits “Montero” and “Industry Baby.” He started out in a hot pink marching band outfit complete with a band before taking off his shirt and pants to reveal hot pink shorts. He was also joined on stage by rapper Jack Harlow.

Busta Rhymes performed a rap medley with his hit “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” followed by M.O.P.’s “Ante Up” remix, as well as songs he guested on including A Tribe Called Quest’s classic “Scenario” and Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now.” Rhymes also performed “Touch It” and “Pass the Courvoisier.” 

Busta Rhymes performing at the 2021 MTV VMAs. Credit: Courtesy of MTV
Busta Rhymes performing at the 2021 MTV VMAs. Credit: Courtesy of MTV/Getty Images

Alicia Keys joined the list of performers and ended her set with a touching piano tribute to the victims and families of 9/11 with her song “Empire State of Mind.” 

In a surprise reunion, Ashanti and Ja Rule returned to the VMA stage as they both walked out together in matching black outfits to present the award for best collaboration.

Ashanti and Ja Rule reunite at the 2021 MTV VMAs. Credit: Courtesy of MTV
Ashanti and Ja Rule reunite at the 2021 MTV VMAs. Credit: Courtesy of MTV/Getty Images

Read the complete list of VMAs winners below:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” – Columbia Records
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP” – Atlantic Records
DJ Khaled ft. Drake – “POPSTAR” (Starring Justin Bieber) – OVO / We The Best / Epic Records
Doja Cat ft. SZA – “Kiss Me More” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Ed Sheeran – “Bad Habits” – Atlantic Records
The Weeknd – “Save Your Tears” – XO / Republic Records

BEST ROCK
John Mayer – “Last Train Home” – Columbia Records
Evanescence – “Use My Voice” – BMG
Foo Fighters – “Shame Shame” – Roswell Records / RCA Records
The Killers – “My Own Soul’s Warning” – Island
Kings Of Leon – “The Bandit” – RCA Records
Lenny Kravitz – “Raise Vibration” – Roxie Records / BMG

BEST LATIN
Billie Eilish & ROSALÍA – “Lo Vas A Olvidar” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Bad Bunny x Jhay Cortez – “Dákiti” – The Orchard
Black Eyed Peas and Shakira – “GIRL LIKE ME” – Epic Records
Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Tainy – “UN DIA (ONE DAY)” – Universal Music Latino / NEON16
Karol G – “Bichota” – Universal Music Latino
Maluma – “Hawái” – Sony Music US Latin

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Harry Styles – “Treat People With Kindness” – Columbia Records – Choreography by: Paul Roberts
Ariana Grande – “34+35” – Republic Records – Choreography by: Brian Nicholson & Scott Nicholson
BTS – “Butter” – BIGHIT MUSIC – Choreography by: SON SUNG DEUK With BHM PERFORMANCE DIRECTING TEAM
Ed Sheeran – “Bad Habits” – Atlantic Records – Choreography by: Natricia Bernard
Foo Fighters – “Shame Shame” – Roswell Records / RCA Records – Choreography by: Nina McNeely
Marshmello & Halsey – “Be Kind” – Astralwerks / Capitol Records – Choreography by: Dani Vitale

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid – “BROWN SKIN GIRL” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records – Cinematography by: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, MOHAMMAED ATTA AHMED, Santiago Gonzalez, Ryan Helfant
Billie Eilish – “Therefore I Am” – Darkroom / Interscope Records – Cinematography by: Rob Witt
Foo Fighters – “Shame Shame” – Roswell Records / RCA Records – Cinematography by: Santiago Gonzalez
Justin Bieber ft. Chance The Rapper – “Holy” – RBMG/Def Jam – Cinematography by: Elias Talbot
Lady Gaga – “911” – Interscope Records – Cinematography by: Jeff Cronenweth
Lorde – “Solar Power” – LAVA/Republic Records – Cinematography by: Andrew Stroud

BEST DIRECTION
Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” – Columbia Records – Directed by: Lil Nas X and Tanu Muino
Billie Eilish – “Your Power” – Darkroom / Interscope Records – Directed by: Billie Eilish
DJ Khaled ft. Drake – “POPSTAR (Starring Justin Bieber)” – OVO / We The Best / Epic Records – Directed by: Julien Christian Lutz aka Director X
Taylor Swift – “willow” – Republic Records – Directed by: Taylor Swift
Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A – “Franchise” – Cactus Jack / Epic Records – Directed by: Travis Scott
Tyler, The Creator – “LUMBERJACK” – Columbia Records – Directed by: Wolf Haley

BEST R&B
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – “Leave The Door Open” – Aftermath Entertainment / Atlantic Records
Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid – “BROWN SKIN GIRL” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
Chris Brown and Young Thug – “Go Crazy” – Chris Brown Entertainment/RCA Records
Giveon – “HEARTBREAK ANNIVERSARY” – Epic Records / Not So Fast
H.E.R. ft. Chris Brown – “Come Through” – MBK Entertainment / RCA Records
SZA – “Good Days” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records

BEST NEW ARTIST
Olivia Rodrigo – Geffen Records
24kGoldn – RECORDS LLC / Columbia Records
Giveon – Epic Records / Not So Fast
The Kid LAROI – Columbia Records
Polo G – Columbia Records
Saweetie – Warner Records

BEST ALTERNATIVE
Machine Gun Kelly ft. blackbear – “my ex’s best friend” – Bad Boy / Interscope Records
Bleachers – “Stop Making This Hurt” – RCA Records
Glass Animals – “Heat Waves” – Republic Records
Imagine Dragons – “Follow You” – KIDinaKORNER / Interscope Records
twenty one pilots – “Shy Away” – Fueled By Ramen
WILLOW ft. Travis Barker – “t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l” – MSFTSMusic / Roc Nation

BEST COLLABORATION
Doja Cat ft. SZA – “Kiss Me More” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
24kGoldn ft. iann dior – “Mood” – RECORDS LLC / Columbia Records
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP” – Atlantic Records
Drake ft. Lil Durk – “Laugh Now Cry Later” – OVO / Republic Records
Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon – “Peaches” – Def Jam
Miley Cyrus ft. Dua Lipa – “Prisoner” – RCA Records

BEST HIP-HOP
Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A. – “FRANCHISE” – Cactus Jack / Epic Records
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP” – Atlantic Records
Drake ft. Lil Durk – “Laugh Now Cry Later” – OVO / Republic Records
Lil Baby ft. Megan Thee Stallion – “On Me (remix)” – Quality Control / Motown
Moneybagg Yo – “Said Sum” – N-Less Entertainment / Interscope Records
Polo G – “RAPSTAR” – Columbia Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Justin Bieber – Def Jam
Ariana Grande – Republic Records
Doja Cat – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Megan Thee Stallion – 300 Entertainment
Olivia Rodrigo – Geffen Records
Taylor Swift – Republic Records

VIDEO FOR GOOD
Billie Eilish – “Your Power” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Demi Lovato – “Dancing With The Devil” – Island
H.E.R. – “Fight For You” – MBK Entertainment / RCA Records
Kane Brown – “Worldwide Beautiful” – Sony Music Nashville / RCA Records
Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” – Columbia Records
Pharrell Williams ft. JAY-Z – “Entrepreneur” – Columbia Records

BEST POP
Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon – “Peaches” – Def Jam
Ariana Grande – “positions” – Republic Records
Billie Eilish – “Therefore I Am” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
BTS – “Butter” – BIGHIT MUSIC
Harry Styles – “Treat People With Kindness” – Columbia Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “good 4 u” – Geffen Records
Shawn Mendes – “Wonder” – Island Records
Taylor Swift – “willow” – Republic Records

SONG OF THE YEAR
Olivia Rodrigo – “drivers license” – Geffen Records
24kGoldn ft. iann dior – “Mood” – RECORDS LLC / Columbia Records
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – “Leave The Door Open” – Aftermath Entertainment / Atlantic Records
BTS – “Dynamite” – BIGHIT MUSIC
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP” – Atlantic Records
Dua Lipa – “Levitating” – Warner Records

GROUP OF THE YEAR
BTS
Blackpink
CNCO
Foo Fighters
Jonas Brothers
Maroon 5
Silk Sonic
Twenty One Pilots

BEST BREAKTHROUGH SONG
Claire Rosinkranz — “Backyard Boy”
Masked Wolf: “Astronaut In The Ocean”
Bella Poarch: “Build a B*tch”
Young Baby Tate ft. Flo Milli: “I Am”
Whoheem: “Let’s Link”

PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Olivia Rodrigo – “drivers license” – Geffen Records
Wallows – “Are You Bored Yet?” – Columbia Records
Ashnikko – “Daisy” – Warner Records
SAINt JHN – “Gorgeous” – Godd Complexx / HITCO
24kGoldn – “Coco” – RECORDS LLC / Columbia Records
JC Stewart – “Break My Heart” – Elektra Music Group
Latto – “Sex Lies” – RCA Records
Madison Beer – “Selfish” – Epic Records / Sing It Loud
The Kid LAROI – “WITHOUT YOU” – Columbia Records
girl in red “Serotonin” – world in red / AWAL
Fousheé – “my slime” – RCA Records
jxdn – “Think About Me” – DTA Records / Elektra Music Group

BEST K-POP
BTS – “Butter” – BIGHIT MUSIC
Monsta X – “Gambler” – Starship Entertainment
(G)I-DLE – “DUMDi DUMDi” – Republic Records
BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez – “Ice Cream” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records
SEVENTEEN – “Ready to love” – Pledis Entertainment
TWICE – “Alcohol-Free” – JYP Entertainment Company

BEST ART DIRECTION
Saweetie ft. Doja Cat – “Best Friend” – Warner Records – Art Direction by: Art Haynes
Beyoncé, Shatta Wale, Major Lazer – “ALREADY” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records – Art Direction by: Susan Linns, Gerard Santos
Ed Sheeran – “Bad Habits” – Atlantic Records – Art Direction by: Alison Dominitz
Lady Gaga – “911” – Interscope Records – Art Direction by: Tom Foden, Peter Andrus
Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” – Columbia Records – Art Direction by: John Richoux
Taylor Swift – “willow” – Republic Records – Art Direction by: Ethan Tobman, Regina Fernandez

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” – Columbia Records – Visual Effects by: Mathematic
Bella Poarch – “Build A Bitch” – Warner Records – Visual Effects by: Andrew Donoho, Denhov Visuals, Denis Strahhov, Rein Jakobson, Vahur Kuusk, Tatjana Pavlik, Yekaterina Vetrova
Coldplay – “Higher Power” – Atlantic Records – Visual Effects by: Mathematic
Doja Cat & The Weeknd – “You Right” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records – Visual Effects by: La Pac, Anthony Lestremau, Julien Missaire, Petr Shkolniy, Alexi Bailla, Micha Sher, Antoine Hache, Mikros MPC, Nicolas Huget, Guillaume Ho Tsong Fang, Benjamin Lenfant, Stephane Pivron, MPC Bangalore, Chanakya Chander, Raju Ganesh, David Rouxel
Glass Animals – “Tangerine” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by: Ronan Fourreau
P!NK – “All I Know So Far” – RCA Records – Visual Effects by: Dave Meyers, Freenjoy Inc

BEST EDITING
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – “Leave The Door Open” – Aftermath Entertainment/Atlantic Records – Editing by: Troy Charbonnet
BTS – “Butter” – BIGHIT MUSIC – Editing by: Yong Seok Choi from Lumpens
Drake – “What’s Next” – OVO/Republic Records – Editing by: Noah Kendal
Harry Styles – “Treat People With Kindness” – Columbia Records  –  Editing by: Claudia Wass
Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon – “Peaches” – Def Jam  –  Editing by: Mark Mayr, Vinnie Hobbs
Miley Cyrus ft. Dua Lipa – “Prisoner” – RCA Records