Sabrina Carpenter, DJ Snake, and more: VMA 2025 promises epic performances in New York

The MTV Video Music Awards 2025, scheduled for September 7 at UBS Arena in New York, promises to be one of the most vibrant editions of the awards, featuring confirmed performances by Sabrina Carpenter, DJ Snake, J Balvin, Alex Warren, Sombr, Busta Rhymes, Ricky Martin, Justin Quiles, and Lenny Tavárez. The ceremony, broadcast live by MTV, CBS, and platforms like Paramount+ and Pluto TV, celebrates the biggest names in global music with live performances and special tributes. In Brazil, the pre-show starts at 8 PM, followed by the main event at 9 PM, with simultaneous translation and original audio options. The night also highlights new talents and introduces new categories, solidifying the VMA as a pop culture milestone.

The anticipation for the event grows with the diversity of the lineup. Sabrina Carpenter, returning after a standout debut in 2024, arrives with eight nominations, including Video of the Year for “Manchild” from the album Man’s Best Friend. DJ Snake, making his VMA debut, joins J Balvin to perform “Noventa,” while Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin receive honorary awards.

• Key confirmed attractions:
  • Sabrina Carpenter: nominated in eight categories, including Video of the Year.

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• DJ Snake and J Balvin: debuting their collaboration “Noventa” live.
• Ricky Martin: honored with the Latin Icon Award.
• Busta Rhymes: receiving the Rock the Bells Visionary Award.
• Alex Warren and Sombr: newcomers competing for Best New Artist.

Stellar VMA 2025 lineup

The 2025 VMA performance lineup reflects the diversity of today’s music. Sabrina Carpenter, solidified as a leading pop voice, returns after winning Song of the Year in 2024 with “Espresso.” Her performance is anticipated as a highlight, especially to promote her new album Man’s Best Friend. DJ Snake, known for hits like “Lean On” and “Taki Taki,” makes his debut alongside J Balvin, who will perform “Zun Zun” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez, plus the collaboration “Noventa.” New talents like Alex Warren, nominated in three categories with the hit “Ordinary,” and Sombr, competing for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Video with “Back to Friends,” reinforce the VMA’s commitment to blending veterans and newcomers. Busta Rhymes, with a career spanning over two decades, will be honored with the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, while Ricky Martin receives the Latin Icon Award for his influence on Latin music. The event, hosted by LL Cool J, promises a night of cultural celebration, with global broadcasts and a focus on live performances that have defined the awards’ history.

Tributes celebrating legacies

The 2025 VMA highlights two icons with honorary awards. Ricky Martin, a pioneer in globalizing Latin music, will be the first to receive the Latin Icon Award. With over 70 million albums sold and 180 awards, including Grammys, his performance marks a return 26 years after his iconic “Livin’ la Vida Loca” performance in 1999. Busta Rhymes earns the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, recognizing his impact on hip-hop. With 20 million albums sold and 12 Grammy nominations, the rapper will make his first VMA appearance, delivering a medley of his hits.

• 2025 VMA honorees:
  • Ricky Martin: Latin Icon Award for his four-decade career.
  • Busta Rhymes: Rock the Bells Visionary Award for cultural innovation.
  • Impact: both artists underscore the VMA’s role in celebrating diversity.

Awards innovations

The 2025 edition introduces two new categories: Best Country Video and Best Pop Artist, bringing the total to 25 categories. These additions reflect the expansion of recognized music genres, aligning with trends like the rise of country pop and mainstream pop’s dominance. Lady Gaga leads with 12 nominations, driven by “Die With a Smile,” a collaboration with Bruno Mars, competing for Video of the Year and Best Collaboration. Kendrick Lamar, with 11 nominations, dominates with “Not Like Us,” while Sabrina Carpenter and Rosé each have eight. Fan voting, open until September 5, covers 19 categories, with Best New Artist remaining active during the ceremony. In Brazil, the broadcast from 8 PM includes original audio and simultaneous translation options, ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences.

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• Highlighted categories:
  • Video of the Year: “Manchild” (Sabrina Carpenter), “Die With a Smile” (Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars), “Not Like Us” (Kendrick Lamar).
  • Best New Artist: Alex Warren, Sombr, Rosé, among others.
  • New categories: Best Country Video and Best Pop Artist.
  • Voting: open until September 5, except for Best New Artist.

Anticipated performances

The 2025 VMA performances promise unforgettable moments. J Balvin, with 13 career nominations, aims for his sixth Moon Person, potentially becoming the most-awarded Latin artist in VMA history. His performance of “Zun Zun” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez will bring Latin rhythms to the stage, while “Noventa” with DJ Snake blends reggaeton and electronic beats. Sabrina Carpenter, with her meteoric rise, is expected to perform “Manchild,” a track reflecting her artistic evolution. Alex Warren, a standout in the MTV PUSH program, will perform “Ordinary,” 2025’s top-selling song in the U.S., while Sombr delivers an introspective performance with “Back to Friends.”

• Confirmed performances:
  • J Balvin, Justin Quiles, and Lenny Tavárez: “Zun Zun.”
  • J Balvin and DJ Snake: “Noventa.”
  • Sabrina Carpenter: likely performing “Manchild.”
  • Alex Warren: “Ordinary,” a global 2025 hit.
  • Sombr: “Back to Friends,” competing for Best Alternative Video.

Broadcast and accessibility

The global broadcast of the 2025 VMA reinforces its status as a major music event. In Brazil, the pre-show at 8 PM and the main event at 9 PM will air on MTV, Paramount+, and Pluto TV, with simultaneous translation on the MTV Pluto TV channel and original audio on MTV Biggest Pop. The choice of UBS Arena in New York ensures a high-quality production with modern infrastructure for live performances. Official sponsors in Brazil, Coca-Cola and Via Marte, enhance the event’s commercial appeal. LL Cool J’s hosting, as a hip-hop icon with awards show experience, adds charisma and authority to the night.

VMA history and relevance

For over four decades, the VMA has been a pop culture benchmark, known for iconic performances and moments like Madonna and Britney Spears’ kiss in 2003 or Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift’s speech in 2009. The 2025 edition upholds this tradition, blending established artists and new talents in a celebration of global music. The inclusion of categories like Best Country Video reflects the VMA’s adaptation to musical trends, while honorary awards highlight the importance of recognizing legacies. The diversity of genres, from pop to hip-hop and Latin music, ensures the event resonates with varied audiences, maintaining its role as a cultural barometer.

• Iconic VMA moments:
  • 1999: Ricky Martin wins Best Pop Video with “Livin’ la Vida Loca.”
  • 2021: Busta Rhymes performs a career medley.
  • 2024: Sabrina Carpenter wins Song of the Year with “Espresso.”
  • 2025: new categories broaden the awards’ scope.

Nighttime expectations

The mix of performances, tributes, and new categories makes the 2025 VMA a must-watch event. Sabrina Carpenter’s growing pop influence and DJ Snake’s electronic energy promise to captivate fans and critics alike. The debut of new artists like Alex Warren and Sombr underscores the VMA’s commitment to discovering talent, while tributes to Ricky Martin and Busta Rhymes celebrate enduring contributions to music. The accessible broadcast, with audio and translation options, ensures a global reach, while LL Cool J’s hosting adds nostalgia and authenticity. With more performance and social category announcements expected in the coming weeks, the 2025 VMA is poised to be one of the most memorable editions in the awards’ history.