From uninvited stage guests to mic drops, the MTV VMAs has never failed to deliver some of the most culture-shifting moments. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and revisit the wildest VMA moments that still have us gagged to this day!
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Ye Snatched Taylor Swift’s Mic & Left Her Shook
Before “I’mma let you finish” became a meme, it was a full-on jaw-drop moment. In 2009, Kanye West stormed a 19-year-old Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech to declare that Beyoncé had “one of the best videos of all time.” The room froze, Taylor was stunned, and pop culture was changed forever.
@tanaslaughter Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the 2009 VMAs #kanyewest #taylorswift #popculture #2000s
Lil Mama & Her Lip Gloss Crashing Alicia Keys & Jay Z’s VMAs Set
When Alicia Keys and Jay Z performed ‘Empire State of Mind’ at the 2009 MTV VMAs, Lil Mama invited herself onstage mid-performance—unannounced. She hit the pose like she rehearsed it and everything. Nobody knew what was happening. Alicia, especially. She was so cool on stage, but has since revealed she didn’t even see Mama had joined them. To this day, Alicia and Hov might’ve forgiven her for the on-stage intrusion, but fans still aren’t over her audacity being on 100. As for the on-stage invite? Still missing.
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When Nicki Minaj Said “Miley, What’s Good?”
In 2015, after winning Best Hip-Hop Video, Nicki Minaj turned to host Miley Cyrus and called her all the way out with the now-iconic: “Miley, what’s good?” The tension was THICK, the crowd was dead silent—and even Miley’s parents looked like their jaws hit the floor. Hannah Montana herself had to snap out of it and get back to business, because Nicki wasn’t playing at all.
@2000spopwomens This moment is so iconic 😂 #nickiminaj #mileycyrus #vmas #iconic #popular #famous #sing
Beyoncé Announcing Her Pregnancy Like A True Queen
No press release, no teaser—just a mic drop and belly rub. When Queen Bey performed ‘Love on Top’ in 2011, she ended the set by unbuttoning her jacket and cradling her bump. The camera cut to Jay-Z and Ye losing it, and so did we. An iconic reveal for an iconic baby.
