The 2015 MTV Video Music Awards also known as “The VMA’s” hosted by Miley Cyrus took place August 30, 2015 9/8c. Miley is known for her controversial uniqueness whether it be gyrating with a foam finger against Robin Thicke in his best Beetlejuice ensemble at the 2013 VMA’s or sliding down a giant replica of her tongue for her 2014 Bangerz Tour in support of her aptly titled fourth album “Bangerz”. This year as host of the show Miley did not disappoint as she welcomed the crowd to the VMA”s by sliding down a rainbow optical illusion set piece styled in a brightly covered kaleidoscope jumpsuit. She completed the look by accessorizing her new blond dreadlocks with brightly colored flowers and matching jewelry just one of her many looks of the night.

Nicki Minaj opened the show with an electrifying collaborative performance with surprise guest Taylor Swift. Nicki Minaj looked ready for Trinidad Carnival clad in red and a feather headdress. She slayed her smash hit “Trini Dem Girls” before Taylor Swift joined her on stage for Nicki’s hit “The Night Is Still Young” and her own hit “Bad Blood”.  Nicki Minaj went on to win Best Hip Hop Video for “Anaconda”.

As host Miley took a dig at MTV that she showed no clues she was qualified to host such an award show.  Despite that, right off the back she gave props to popular artists such as Justin Bieber, The Weekend and A$AP Rocky. Cue awkward camera pan to each artist that she mentioned who seemed less than enthused and or confused she was mentioning their name.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis along with Kool Moe Dee, Melle Mel, and Grandmaster Caz performed their new smash hit “Downtown” that beautifully pays homage to old school hip hop legends. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis artistically recreated their very creative music video for the song live in downtown Los Angeles. Speaking of creative music videos that get people grooving Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars won Best Male Video for “Uptown Funk”. The Weekend had pretty much everybody out of their seats dancing to his performance of “Can’t Feel My Face” including Kanye.

Pharrell Williams performed his socially conscious song “Freedom”. Pharrell wasn’t the only one with a message to say that night. Big Sean Ft. Kanye and John legend won Video with a Social Message for “One Man Can Change the World”. Big Sean dedicated his song win to his late grandma one of the first Black female captains in World War II — who showed him that one man can change the world.

Justin Bieber who returned to perform at the awards show for the first time in two years got pretty emotional towards the end of his performance of personal songs “Where Are U Now/ What Do You Mean?” He also released the music video for “What Do You Mean” later that night. During the show Taylor Swift enticed the audience with the premiere of  the music video for her new single “Wildest Dreams” beautifully directed by Joseph Khan and featuring Scott Eastwood during pre-show. Taylor Swift won the most awards of the night with four including but not limited to Video of the Year for “Bad Blood” and Best Female Video for Blank Space”.

Demi Lovato got the downtown LA crowd on their feet in her first ever VMA performance of “Cool for the Summer”. She pumped up the crowed dressed in a purple dominatrix outfit surrounded by dancers dressed in brightly colored monochromatic ensembles. This performance oozed sex appeal in a summer pool party atmosphere and ended with a bang when Demi crowded surfed in a giant inflatable pool as showers of confetti cascaded over the crowd and her.

Fetty Wap the popular artist behind the hit “Trap Queen” won the Artist to Watch award. Taylor Swift awarded Kanye the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and during his speech among other things he announced his decision to run for President in the year 2020.

After all the awards were handed out and the performances were all done, it seems that everyone could agree that the VMA’s  turned out to be a pretty tame show this year.