LL Cool J to Host 2025 MTV VMAs in New York

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards will unfold on Sunday, Sept. 7, with LL Cool J returning as host for a live ceremony staged at New York’s UBS Arena. The event, broadcast on CBS and MTV with streaming on Paramount, will feature a first round of star-studded performances that includes Sabrina Carpenter, J Balvin with DJ Snake, Sombr, Alex Warren, Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin. In a pair of honored career milestones, Busta Rhymes will receive the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, and Ricky Martin will be recognized with the Latin Icon Award.

Balvin and DJ Snake are slated to bring a dynamic two‑part performance: a live premiere of Noventa on stage, paired with a performance of Zun Zun featuring Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez. Martin’s appearance will also mark the Latin Icon Award moment, a nod to his four decades of influence in Latin music and his historic VMAs history. Carpenter, who is among the top nominees, contends for Video of the Year for Manchild, while Sombr and Alex Warren are among the first-time nominees making their VMAs debuts.

The nominations landscape at this year’s VMAs reflects both veteran prominence and rising talent. Lady Gaga leads with 12 nominations,...