The MTV Video Music Awards are set to give the Garden State props for producing some of the biggest names in rap.
The VMAs, which are taking place in New Jersey for the first time on Aug. 26, will close out the show with a star-studded performance featuring hometown rap icons Naughty By Nature, Queen Latifah, Redman, and Wyclef Jean, MTV announced Friday.
Naughty by Nature — Treach, DJ Kay Gee and Vin Rock — are from East Orange. Queen Latifah and Redman were born in Newark. Wyclef moved to Newark from Haiti, and later formed the Fugees with Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel.
They’ll be joined by Paterson, New Jersey native Fetty Wap, who won the Best New Artist award after “Trap Queen” burned up the charts in 2015.
Other performers taking the stage before the Garden State tribute include Bad Bunny, Big Sean featuring A$AP Ferg, Camila Cabello, H.E.R., J Balvin, Lil Nas X, Lizzo, and Normani.
Missy Elliott will perform and pick up MTV’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. The rapper, songwriter and producer is known for such hits as “Work It,” “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” and “Get Ur Freak On.”
Related Story: Missy Elliott Is Finally Getting MTV’s Video Vanguard Award
On Thursday, Aug. 22, Elliott announced plans to release new music ahead of receiving her Video Vanguard Award.
“This year has been a tremendous year for me…I am humbled and grateful. THANK YOU for allowing me to smell the roses,” she wrote on Instagram. So, I have a SURPRISE for you… let’s continue the celebration at midnight tonight…I’m dropping a collection of new songs! Let’s #ThrowItBack to a time when music just felt good and made us want to dance! Sincerely, Dr. Melissa “Missy” Elliott #Iconology.
A short time later, she released the music video for her new track “Throw It Back.”
[Watch the video below]
The 2019 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Monday, Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
