Published on September 12, 2024, 7:31 am
The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards was a memorable occasion, buoyed by exhilarating live performances from Katy Perry, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G, Lenny Kravitz, and show host Megan Thee Stallion. The night was packed with highlights that spanned the wonderful to the downright peculiar.
A noteworthy trend observed during the awards was about tattoos. Specifically, lower-back tattoos seemed to enjoy a resurrection in popularity. Popular artist Charli XCX referenced this trend parodyingly while highlighting her fresh ink in that very region. However, the idea of getting a scannable hashtag permanently etched into your skin is an audacious move that stirred wide-spread conversation.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet medley which featured contextually odd yet entirely entertaining interactions with an alien figurine boosted energy levels on the eve filled with music and prose.
Exploding onto the stage with a series of hits like “Teenage Dream”, “Dark Horse”, and “Firework”, Katy Perry managed to send exhilarated waves through millennials present at the venue. Her heartfelt acknowledgment of the LGBTQ+ community resonated with many as she attributed her success to their influence and support.
Continuing the unprecedented run of mesmerizing performances for the night, Chappell Roan graced us with her enchanting rendition of “Good Luck Babe!” while clothed in medieval-themed attire that alluded to Fiona Apple’s vintage knight costume. Her acceptance speech for securing ‘Best New Artist’, dedicated inspiringly to “the queer and trans people who fuel pop”, struck another validating chord for inclusivity in pop culture.
With critique towards inadequacies in acknowledgment systems as part of awarding platforms came forefront when Tyla proposed for broadened recognition towards African artists across multiple musical genres during her thanks-giving speech.
Taylor Swift endorsed prominently Kamala Harris as president following Vice President’s debate against Donald Trump before accepting the ‘Video of the Year’ award for “Fortnight”. Inspiring her fans additionally, she acknowledged boyfriend Travis Kelce’s and his magic touch that added surreal factors to her award-winning video and reiterated the importance of exercising voting rights.
While 2024 may already seem packed with surprises, transformations, and potent standpoints, but one thing is constant – the ever-evolving music landscape will never stop entertaining us!