LL Cool J To Serve As Host Of 2025 MTV VMAs

LL Cool J is confirmed to be the host of the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards. It can mark his second time on the stage in that function, after sharing co-host duties with Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow in 2022. This time, he won’t have any further personalities up there with him, as he has secured an opportunity to host the present by himself.

LL is way from inexperienced on the VMAs. He gained his first award there in 1991, taking dwelling Greatest Rap Video for “Mama Mentioned Knock You Out.” In 1997, he turned the primary rapper to ever win the Video Vanguard Award, the VMA equal of a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2024, he rocked the stage for a Def Jam tribute set, alongside Public Enemy. The 12 months earlier than, he closed the present with Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and a number of of hip-hop’s pioneers as a part of the yearlong Hip-Hop 50 celebration.

This 12 months, he is nominated within the Greatest Hip-Hop class for “Murdergram Deux,” the Eminem-assisted monitor from his unexpectedly nice Q-Tip-produced comeback album, The FORCE. It marks his first non-Vanguard nomination on the present since 1996.

Heading into the VMAs, the large names lead all challengers within the nominations division. Girl Gaga stands alone at 12 nods, together with Greatest Album, Greatest Track, and several other nods associated to her usually glorious visuals and choreography. Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar have 10 a bit, whereas Rosé of Okay-Pop group BLACKPINK and Sabrina Carpenter spherical out the highest 5 with eight nominations every.

Within the very close to future, we’ll study extra about presenters and performers at this 12 months’s present. We additionally don’t but have any data on who will obtain the Video Vanguard Award. In 2024, it went to Katy Perry. The 12 months earlier than, Shakira took dwelling the honour.

Followers have theorized that it might go to Gaga or Bruno, for his or her immensely profitable careers at or close to the highest of the pop music trade. Mariah Carey is also an choice, particularly as she will get able to drop a brand new album close to the top of September.

It is going to be fascinating to see who walks away with the distinguished award, as there are many choices, together with many names that will not be on the high of thoughts. The VMAs will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on September 7.