MTV’s Video Music Awards take place tonight at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and here’s where you can see all the performances. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion come together to give “Bongos” its live debut, and Lil Wayne performs his new song “Kat Food” for the first time, too. Elsewhere, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Demi Lovato, and Karol G will take the stage, as will the K-pop groups Stray Kids and Tomorrow X Together. Anitta and Måneskin both return to the VMAs for the second year in a row, before a grand finale celebrating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary unites Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, LL Cool J, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, Doug E. Fresh, and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Take a look at who’s on the bill below.
Taylor Swift leads nominees with eight nods based around “Anti-Hero.” SZA picked up six nominations for SOS tracks “Kill Bill” and “Shirt.” Despite not releasing any Renaissance videos yet, Beyoncé earned a nomination for Artist of the Year.
Follow along with all of Pitchfork’s coverage of the 2023 VMAs.
Anitta
After bringing “Envolver” to the VMAs last year, Brazilian pop star Anitta returns in 2023 to perform a medley of hits from Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story. She’s nominated again in the Best Latin category.
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion bring their new single, “Bongos,” to the stage for the first time after its September 8 release. It’s the first collaboration from the hip-hop superstars since their 2021 blockbuster, “WAP.”
Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, LL Cool J, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj
The VMAs are honoring the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with a decade-sprawling mega-medley. Groundbreakers Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, Doug E. Fresh, and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five will all perform, along with LL Cool J, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato stops by to perform her single “Swine,” which she wrote in response to the Supreme Court’s 2022 strikedown of Roe v. Wade. The song is nominated in the Best Pop and Video for Good categories.
Diddy
As part of the proceedings for his Global Icon Award, VMAs mainstay Diddy, who first played the ceremony in 1997, will perform at the show for the first time since hosting in 2005.
Doja Cat
With five nominations to her name this year and 23 in total, Doja Cat’s appearance at the VMAs is her first televised outing since she started releasing material from her forthcoming follow-up to 2021’s Planet Her. She is up for five awards this year, including Best Video and Artist of the Year.
Fall Out Boy
Four-time VMA winners and 16-time nominees Fall Out Boy are up for Best Visual Effects and Best Alternative this year, behind the album So Much (for) Stardust. No word yet on what they will play.
Kaliii
Best New Artist nominee Kaliii follows her summer song with Fifty Fifty, “Barbie Dreams,” with a performance on the Extended Play Stage.
Karol G
Colombian pop phenom Karol G is taking a break from her stadium tour to bring her Bichota Season mixtape to the VMAs for her debut at the show. She competes in three categories including Artist of the Year.
Kelsea Ballerini
Country star Kelsea Ballerini, who turns 30 today, is celebrating with her VMAs debut, delivering a world premiere performance from her new EP, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (For Good).
Lil Wayne
Along with partaking in the VMAs’ centerpiece tribute to hip-hop, Lil Wayne debuts his new single, “Kat Food,” released at the beginning of September.
Måneskin
The high-drama Italian rock band Måneskin return to the VMAs for the second straight year.
Metro Boomin Featuring Future, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Swae Lee and Nav
Metro Boomin makes his VMAs debut with the first broadcast performance of his singles “Superhero (Heroes & Villains),” with Future, and “Calling,” with A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Swae Lee, and Nav. He is up for four awards including Album of the Year and Best Hip-Hop.
Nicki Minaj
Along with emceeing the full show and joining the star-studded hip-hop anniversary celebration, the Queen of the Barbz makes a solo showing ahead of Pink Friday 2.
NLE Choppa
Memphis rapper NLE Choppa is playing the pre-show in support of recent album Cottonwood 2 and new single “It’s Getting Hot.”
Peso Pluma
Peso Pluma is supporting his landmark album Genesis by delivering his inaugural VMAs performance, as well as competing for Best New Artist, Best Latin, and Song of the Summer.
Reneé Rapp
The Best New Artist nominee just released the Billboard hit LP Snow Angel, and she will celebrate with a performance on the Extended Play Stage.
Sabrina Carpenter
Beloved pop singer Sabrina Carpenter will play during the 90-minute pre-show special, following her shows opening for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour.
Shakira
Honored with this year’s Video Vanguard Award, Shakira will perform a medley of her hits.
Stray Kids
Stray Kids debut at the VMAs with the U.S. broadcast premiere of “S-Class,” from the K-Pop outfit’s recent album 5-Star. They will also compete in the Best K-Pop category for the second time, hoping to win their first Moon Person.
Tomorrow X Together Featuring Anitta
The K-pop stars are premiering a new single and playing with Brazilian sensation Anitta. Ahead of their third studio album, The Name Chapter: Freefall, the band is hoping to take home Moon Persons in Best K-Pop and Push Performance of the Year.
The Warning
Fresh from opening for the likes of Guns N’ Roses, Foo Fighters, and Muse, sister act the Warning will make their U.S. television debut on the Extended Play Stage.