The VMAs were once the lightweights of awards shows, but in the past few years they’ve become quite the ceremony, thanks in part to Kanye West and Taylor Swift’s controversial exchange, and just Kanye West in general. No one was expecting “Runaway”, and that turned out to be one of the most incredible VMA moments ever. We should see some gloriously wild shit from Kanye West during the main show, which starts at 8 p.m., along with performances from VMA queen Britney Spears, Ariana Grande, Future, and others.
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It should be noted that the VMAs are going down in New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden this year, which is the same place where West debuted Pablo less than a year ago.
Whether it was Kanye West stealing the stage from Taylor Swift in the midst of her acceptance speech in 2009, or Miley Cyrus twerking her way into a national controversy in 2013, this annual award show is always unfiltered. Kanye was probably right about Beyonce’s video being better than Swift’s. With the reality of Donald Trump’s presidential candidacy, Kanye’s plan seems less insane than it did at the time.
As for Swift, she reportedly won’t be in the building. Could she really be going to the VMAs?
Swift – the key victor both at last year’s VMAs and the latest Grammys – is not scheduled to come.
The video, shot in New Orleans, offers solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality with officers depicted raising their arms as if under arrest.
Look out for Adele, Drake, Justin Bieber, Bryson Tiller, Desiigner, Alessia Cara, Zara Larsson in the audience.
But the pop star’s row with the rapper isn’t the only reason she might not want to attend, as she hasn’t landed any nominations this year at all.
There is another thing that Kanye West could do with his time: Just be completely silent.
Listen to the exposing phone call in the video player below!
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“Where MTV once had a monopoly, now the video is more like extra content for the fan”, he said.
