The 2025 VMAs proved that some things never change — especially music’s uncanny ability to bring people together. On a balmy September night at New York’s UBS Arena, the ceremony pulled off something unprecedented: a simultaneous broadcast on both CBS and MTV that managed to feel both nostalgic and thoroughly modern.
Perhaps the night’s most touching moment came through its tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. The Prince of Darkness had left us just weeks after Black Sabbath’s final bow, and the weight of his absence hung heavy in the air. Jack Osbourne’s pre-recorded introduction, flanked by his four daughters, struck just the right chord between celebration and remembrance. “I know for sure it would make me incredibly happy to see these great musicians carry on his legacy,” he shared, his voice catching slightly.
What followed wasn’t just another tribute performance — it was rock history in the making. Yungblud, that electric force of nature from the TikTok generation, absolutely owned “Crazy Train” before seamlessly sliding into the haunting melody of “Changes.” Then came the moment nobody saw coming: Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith materialized onstage for “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” The whole thing felt less like a memorial and more like a torch being passed between generations of rock royalty.
Speaking of passing torches — Ricky Martin showed up looking like he’d raided his own closet from 1999 (black leather bandana and all) to accept MTV’s first-ever Latin Icon Award. His performance? Pure fire. Between “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and “The Cup of Life,” Martin reminded everyone why he helped crack open the door for today’s Latin music explosion. His acceptance speech hit home: “We just want to unite countries, break boundaries, and keep music alive.” Simple words carrying decades of meaning.
The night’s biggest twist came courtesy of Lady Gaga, fresh off her sold-out “Mayhem” tour dates. Draped in a dramatic black number with sleeves that could’ve doubled as wings, she snagged Artist of the Year — preventing either Taylor Swift or Beyoncé from breaking their deadlocked record of 30 VMAs each. But Gaga being Gaga, she couldn’t stick around long. After a heartfelt “I cannot begin to tell you what this means,” she was off to honor her Madison Square Garden commitment. Talk about dedication to the craft.
LL Cool J nailed it in his opening when he said music brings us together. On this particular night, with streaming numbers hitting record highs and AI-generated tracks stirring up industry debate, his words rang especially true. From Ozzy’s eternal rock spirit to Martin’s Latin rhythms and Gaga’s boundary-pushing pop, the 2025 VMAs served up a reminder that great music doesn’t just transcend time — it builds bridges between generations, genres, and cultures. Some awards shows feel manufactured; this one felt real.
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