POP SUPERSTARS THE CHAINSMOKERS AND PLATINUM-SELLING ATLANTA RAPPER FUTURE WILL TAKE TO THE STAGE
Previously Announced Performers Include ‘Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award’ Recipient Rihanna, Britney Spears featuring G-Eazy, and Nick Jonas featuring Ty Dolla $ign
Ariana Grande will make a triumphant return to the VMA stage with superstar Nicki Minaj, at the 2016 “MTV Video Music Awards.” The fierce female duo will perform “Side to Side” off Grande’s third full-length album, “Dangerous Woman.” American artist/producer duo, The Chainsmokers, will perform their current #1 hit single “Closer” alongside fan-favourite chanteuse and collaborator, Halsey. “Closer” is also nominated as a Song of Summer contender for this year’s show along with the duo’s previous single “Don’t Let Me Down,” which is nominated for Best Electronic Video. Platinum-selling Atlanta rapper Future will take to the VMA stage for the first time. The 2016 VMAs will air LIVE from New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden for the first time ever on Monday, 29 August at 8am (TH/WIB) and 9am (MY/PH/SG). It will air on MTV LIVE HD on Tuesday, 30 August at 7.30pm (TH/WIB) and 8.30pm (HK/MY/PH/SG).
Previously announced performers are Britney Spears featuring G-Eazy, Nick Jonas featuring Ty Dolla $ign, and Michael Jackson Video Vanguard recipient Rihanna.
Grande and Minaj shut down and cleaned up at the 2014 VMAs, opening the show with a medley of Grande’s “Break Free,” Minaj’s “Anaconda” and the Jesse J collaboration “Bang Bang.” That same year, Grande’s “Problem,” featuring Iggy Azalea, won the Moonman for “Best Pop Video.”
In keeping with the spirit of this year’s show celebrating the creative expression of artists, Grande made her announcement via a time-lapsed custom-created art feature by London-based illustrator and self-professed “professional doodler” Hattie Stewart. Click HERE to watch the video.
To further celebrate the announcement, MTV partnered with Branding by Air for the largest flying video projection screen in the world. The flying 250-foot billboard will travel along the Hudson River, from the Statue of Liberty up to the George Washington Bridge, displaying news of their performance.
Future made his announcement via a personal and visually visceral video on Future’s creative process that was custom-created by director Tom Gould. Watch it HERE.
This year the VMAs will forego a traditional host and feature an ensemble cast to cover the action. Comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele will introduce the world to @TheShamester and @LizardSheeple, the world’s most-amazing, spectacular and well-respected social media influencers offering play-by-play commentary of the show’s biggest moments as they unfold. They will be joined by comedians Jay Pharoah and Nicole Byer who will bring their comedic chops to the telecast. Meanwhile, music producer DJ Khaled will keep the party going with reports from the ultimate tricked out skybox inside MSG.
Presenters for this year’s show include Sean “Diddy” Combs aka Puff Daddy, Alicia Keys, Ansel Elgort, Bebe Rexha, Fifth Harmony, Jaden Smith, Jimmy Fallon, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian West, Rita Ora, Shameik Moore and Tove Lo. The U.S. Olympic Team will be represented well at the 2016 “MTV Video Music Awards” with the most decorated Olympian in history, Michael Phelps, and gold-winning Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian and Aly Raisman confirmed to present.
Ariana Grande
Hot off the heels of her third studio album, “Dangerous Woman” (Republic Records), which skyrocketed to #1 on the charts, Grande became the first artist to debut on the chart with the lead single from her first three albums. Her two previous albums, 2013’s “Yours Truly” and its 2014 follow-up “My Everything,” earned Grande accolades and titles that haven’t been broken since Michael Jackson.
Nicki Minaj
Minaj continues to break records and impact pop culture at large. Her two-time platinum selling and critically lauded third full-length album, “The Pinkprint,” arrived at the top of both the Billboard 200 and the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, cementing her as rap’s reigning queen. Minaj recently made history when she occupied the four top 10 spots on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart, becoming the first female artist to achieve the feat.
The Chainsmokers
The Chainsmokers, comprised of Alex Pall and Drew Taggart, have evolved into a dominating musical force with a diverse repertoire of songs that have led them to become today’s hottest young artist/producer duo. With a signature sound that deftly reaches across indie, progressive and pop realms, their original tracks and remixes have topped the charts throughout the world. Their evolution as producers and as songwriters has seen them dial up some of the biggest breakthrough songs of the year. Luminous tracks such as “Roses” featuring Rozes and “Don’t Let Me Down” featuring Daya, both certified double platinum, have fueled their ascent as a breakout duo with an unparalleled ability to craft undeniable pop gems. The Chainsmokers recently released their current single “Closer” featuring vocals from rising star Halsey and the duo’s own Drew Taggart. The track marks their first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and their third Top 10 on the chart this year, shooting to the #1 spot on iTunes and Spotify upon release and bringing their worldwide streams to over 1.5 billion.
Future
Future can lay legitimate claim to being the hottest rapper in the game, with three albums entering the Billboard 200 at number one in the span of just seven months — 2015’s DS2 and collaborative mixtape with DrakeWhat a Time to Be Alive along with this year’s smash studio album EVOL. His explosion to the top of the charts marks the culmination of a strong rise for the 32-year-old artist, who boasts a steady stream of critically praised and commercially successful releases dating back to his earliest mixtapes, including 2011’s Streetz Calling. Future’s prolific output and nonstop tour schedule have earned him a reputation as one of the hardest working artists in the business. Earlier this month, MTV News released a revealing cover story and mini-documentary on the artist, in which he discusses his approach to life and family amidst his meteoric rise to superstardom. ADVT.