The 2022 MTV Video Music Awards aired Sunday night (August 28) in front of a live audience at Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center. Among the slew of performers at the 2022 show were co-hosts Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow, Lizzo, Måneskin, J Balvin, Anitta, Bad Bunny, Blackpink, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flo Milli, and many more. Check out the full list of performers for the pre-show and main ceremony below.
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Anitta
The first-ever Brazilian VMAs winner performed her Best Latin-winning song “Envolver” from her 2022 album Versions of Me.
Bad Bunny
El Conejo Malo beamed in from the Bronx, where he was performing his second sold-out show at Yankee Stadium, for a rendition of his Un Verano Sin Ti cut “Titi Me Pregunto.” He was also awarded Artist of the Year after he performed.
Blackpink
In their first U.S. awards show performance, the K-Pop superstars—including Best K-Pop winner Lisa—performed their latest single “Pink Venom” from their forthcoming LP Born Pink. They also won Best Metaverse Performance for their in-game concert in the video game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.
Conan Gray
The friend-of-Rodrigo brought two tracks from his latest LP Superache to the Extended Play Stage presented by Doritos.
Dove Cameron
For the pre-show, Disney alum Dove Cameron did a medley of her hits “Boyfriend” and “Breakfast,” channeling Madonna and rocking a set of shoulder pads worthy of the gridiron; she was later presented with the Best New Artist award by former winner Avril Lavigne.
Eminem and Snoop Dogg
Slim Shady and the Doggfather transported themselves to the metaverse via telephone pole-sized doobie and managed to plug their Bored Apes in the process.
Flo Milli
The sharp-tongued Alabama rapper performed two tracks from her new album You Still Here, Ho ?.
J Balvin and Ryan Castro
Colombian superstar J Balvin and his fellow countryman Ryan Castro performed their ode to perreo in the shadow of a towering set of AR butt cheeks.
Jack Harlow and Fergie
When accepting his award for Song of Summer, co-host Harlow admitted that Fergie’s “Glamorous”—which he sampled for his winning track “First Class”—had a significant influence on him as an artist. The former Black Eyed Pea joined him for a medley that included both songs.
JID
The Spillage Village MC performed two tracks from his 2022 LP The Forever Story outside Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center, but featured artists Kenny Mason, 21 Savage, and Baby Tate did not make the trip.
Kane Brown
The AutoTune’d post-country rocker starred in this Toyota-sponsored set in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Lauren Spencer Smith
The 18-year-old American Idol alum Lauren Spencer Smith performed two of her most recent singles outside the venue decked out in leopard urban camouflage.
Lizzo
After gracing the stage with her hits “About Damn Time” and “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready),” Lizzo later stunted on her haters in her victory speech after winning Video for Good.
Måneskin
The racy rockers brought the Eurovision energy—and near-nudity—to the VMAs stage with their hit “Supermodel.”
Marshmello and Khalid
Nicki Minaj
The co-host and 2022 Video Vanguard Award recipient did a career-spanning medley including “Super Bass,” “Anaconda,” and her latest hit “Super Freaky Girl.”
Panic! at the Disco
The alt boy band did a black-and-white version of “Don’t Let the Light Go Out,” the single from their new album Viva Las Vengeance.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Gen X funk-rockers were named Global Icons at this year’s ceremony, and were introduced by original stoner duo Cheech and Chong.
Saucy Santana
Saucy brought arguably “Too Much” “Booty” to the VMAs pre-show, perhaps explaining J Balvin’s attempt to keep up with the augmented reality antics that would follow indoors.
Yung Gravy
The singer and rapper cosplayed Barry Gibb for his performance of the Rick Astley-sampling “Betty.”