Author: Kara B (Twitter: @karabrazey20)
The 2022 MTV Video Music Awards took place at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on Sunday. With several emcees for the show that included LL Cool J, Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow, it was a star-studded event. This year’s awards ceremony boasted 3.9 million total viewers across all networks, an upward increase of 3% from the 2021 ceremony. The MTV Video Music Awards, are to reward the best in music videos and there was no shortage in high caliber videos from this year’s top artist.
From the visually jaw dropping music videos being honored to the electrifying performances from the industry’s biggest stars; the 2022 MTV Music Video Awards delivered on a night of talent, fun and musical excellence.
Let’s recapture some of the highlights below:
Nicki Minaj is this year’s recipient of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, a highlight of the night for many. Her award preluded an electrifying medley of her biggest pop hits. Ms. Minaj owned the stage as her fellow musical peers in the audience and fans over the world singed and cheered.
Ms. Minaj concluded her medley of hits with a performance of her newly released single “Super Freaky Girl”. The audience was in awe as Ms. Minaj proved that with hard work, determination and sheer talent; she is unstoppable.
Bad Bunny was crowned Artist of the Year. The Puerto Rican star performed via satellite from his concert at Yankee Stadium. He performed his hit song “Titi` Me Pregunto”, even giving his male and female back up dancers a kiss. Bad Bunny is the 1st non-English language performer to win the much-hailed award. Congratulations!
Taylor Swift walked away with Video of the Year, for her self-directed video, “All Too Well”. “All Too Well” also won for Best Longform Video and Best Direction. During her speech, Taylor acknowledged this was the 1st time four women directors were nominated in the Video of the Year category. A historic moment. Congratulations Taylor!
Another momentous win for the night was Nicki Minaj. After her passionate speech for receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, she won Best Hip-Hop video for “Do We Have A Problem” ft. Lil Baby. “Do We Have A Problem,” Minaj’s 2022 single that was accompanied with an initial 9-minute video, starring Power’s “Ghost” and Cory Hardwick. Beautifully shot and exceptionally executed, “Do We Have A Problem” is one of hip-hop’s music video highlights. 
Lil Nas X’s radio hit “Industry Baby” Ft. Jack Harlow won for Best Collaboration. The colorful video with a prison backdrop was a hit with viewers. Other notable award winners of the evening were The Weeknd taking home the Moon Man for Best R&B for “Out of Time” and BTS winning Group of the Year. Congratulations to all the winners mentioned and not.
There was plenty of entertainment at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards aside from the award winners. The show opened with Jack Harlow performing his hit “First Class” a sample of Fergie’s hit song “Glamourous”. If that was not enough for the audience and music lover’s, Fergie joined him on the stage. They both showed high energy and had great chemistry together. Jack Harlow also won Song of the Summer for “First Class”. Congrats Jack! 
Lizzo, who also won Video for Good during the night’s award show, gave an electrifying performance of “2 Be Loved” from her album “Special”. In the spirit of honesty, this is one of my fave tracks from the album and she showed out. Against a digital visual background, Lizzo performed and belted the song out effortlessly. She was high energy and commanded the stage with the confidence of a true performer. 
Black Pink also performed their new single from their upcoming second album “Born Pink”. They gave us an immaculate choregraphed routine. Another jaw dropping moment was Snoop Dog and Eminem performing their hot collab “From the D 2 to the LBC”. Their performance started virtually and the two came out towards the end of the song. A true defining moment in hip-hop.
All in all, this was a great show and the performance lineup was top tier. And nothing was more iconic that Johnny Depp’s surprise cameo, as the 2022 Moon Man. He is still the funny and witty Johnny we all have come to love and appreciate. The 2022 MTV Video Music Awards was worth the buildup. Now we must see how they top it in 2023.