On the Clock Report: The 2011 MTV Video Music Awards

2011 MTV Video Music Awards

Los Angeles, CA – The year has come around full circle once again as MTV presents one of the hottest award shows in music award history. The 2011 MTV Video Music Awards was held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California for the second year in the row as it was a complete success last year, why change a good thing? Even though MTV didn’t opt for a host this year, comedian Kevin Hart opened up with a hilarious comic monologue doing what he does best. Hart even performed in the promos starring different artists aired during the show as he did during the BET Awards.

Lady Gaga did an amazing job opening the MTV VMAs. Before going into performance, she did a grand job coming on stage dressed as a man (Jo Calderone), looking like John Travolta from Grease with the white T, mullet, and all, speaking about herself in third person in theater style. Gaga then immediately began her performance after her speech and her cigarette break hopping onto the piano and beginning her song, ‘You and I.’

So this year, it seems as though Katy Perry is the leading artist with the most nominations this year receiving 10, with Kanye West and Adele following close behind both tied at 7. To keep the article short and simple, I will be writing about the performances and different antics that happened during the show. Interestingly enough with the recent sneak diss by Lil Wayne towards Jay-Z, both artists are in the building.

Jay-Z and Kanye West exploded onto the stage with a performance of their latest single ‘Otis,’ it’s good to know these two is carrying the Hip-Hop torch trying to keep the genre alive. Two legends on the same stage, one word phenomenon! What was up with that fan having a Lil Mama moment jumping on stage and quickly getting kicked off?!?

Pitbull and Ne-Yo performed their hit single between the two superstars ‘Give Me Everything Tonight.’ I think that was the first I’ve seen Nayer perform with them after I’ve seen her name on the title so many times. Miami Stand Up!

Been a minute since I’ve seen Chris Brown do a full on set, congratulations to him for overcoming his demons that occurred 2 years ago. His dance performance was amazing; he showed us how to dance in the air. Major applause to Chris Brown for that performance, however Jay-Z didn’t look too happy sitting in the audience. And after that performance, Chris Brown immediately became the top twitter tracker.

So Britney Spears after all her years of music and chart topping hits the world over, 2011 is the year that she wins the Vanguard award. Congratulations to her. And interestingly enough, after receiving the award, Britney quickly transitions and introduces Beyonce to the stage. After the performance, she unbuttons her jacket and begins to rub her belly, confirming to the fans that she is indeed pregnant and in the audience, Jay and Kanye are jumping up in down giving her a standing ovation. Classic moment! Congrats to Jay and Beyonce with the coming of their first child.

Not sure why, out of other people, MTV chose Russell Brand to host Amy Winehouse’s tribute. It was interesting to see and know that Amy did a duet with the legendary Tony Bennett. Immediately after, Bruno Mars did a fantastic performance paying homage to the late Amy Winehouse performing ‘Valerie.’

Maybe it’s just me, but Lil Wayne’s headlining performance was probably satisfactory at best. Between his ugly pants and his screaming in the mic, not sure that would be considered the highlight of this year’s MTV VMAs. After Wayne protege, Drake, introduced him, the Young Money CEO commenced with his hit single, ‘How to Love,’ then quickly jumping into ‘John.’ During the performance, he went into the crowd and recognized DJ Khaled and Rick Ross. If you listen to the band playing in the background during the ‘John’ performance, you can hear them begin with the instrumental ‘Iron Man’ made famous by Black Sabbath. During his outro, Wayne couldn’t resist with stating ‘Young Moolah Baby’ and dropping the mic. All in All, this year’s VMAs had its moments, wouldn’t say it was great, but it had its moments.

Here is a complete list of the winners by Category:

Video of the Year

Katy Perry – Firework

Best Male Video

Justin Bieber – U Smile

Best Female Video

Lady Gaga – Born This Way

Best New Artist

Tyler, the Creator – Yonkers (?)

Best Pop Video

Britney Spears – ‘Til the World Ends

Best Rock Video

Foo Fighters – Walk

Best Hip-Hop

Nicki Minaj – Super Bass (I Agree)

Best Collaboration

Katy Perry featuring Kanye West – E.T.

Best Direction in a Video

Adele – Rolling in the Deep (Director: Sam Brown)

Best Choreography in a Video

Beyoncé — Run the World (Girls) (Choreographer: Frank Gatson, Sheryl Murakami and Jeffrey Page)

Best Special Effects in a Video

Katy Perry featuring Kanye West – E.T. (Jeff Dotson for Dot & Effects)

Best Art Direction in a Video

Adele – Rolling in the Deep (Art Director: Nathan Parker)

Best Editing in a Video

Adele — Rolling in the Deep (Editor: Art Jones at Work)

Best Cinematography in a Video

Adele — Rolling in the Deep (Director of Photography: Tom Townend)

Best Video with a Message

Lady Gaga — Born This Way

Best Latino Artist of 2011

Maná — Lluvia al Corazón

Video Vanguard Award

Britney Spears

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

All Photos Courtesy of MTV.com

Jay-Z and Beyonce Celebrate Coming Baby Backstage at the VMAs

Los Angeles, CA – The highlight of the week and possibly of the biggest headlines in media is the fact that Jay-Z and Beyonce are with child and are about to embark on the journey of having their first child, something they’ve been trying to do for a while. At last night’s VMAs everything was confirmed to millions of viewers.

According to MTV News, as expected, viewers were treated to mind-blowing performances and several jaw-dropping surprises. The most unexpected moment came courtesy of Beyoncé Knowles, who not so subtly announced to the world that she and husband Jay-Z are expecting their first child.

When B unbuttoned her sparkly jacket and rubbed her belly with a knowing smile, after which the camera panned to a visibly elated Jay-Z and Kanye West cheering from the audience, the Nokia Theatre was bursting with warm and fuzzy well-wishes for the soon-to-be parents. And that very public moment of celebration was just the beginning.

When Beyoncé returned backstage to her dressing room, she was greeted by a team of people who enveloped the visibly happy star with hugs, cheers and congratulations.

“I’m free!” she said to one of the well-wishers, indicating that she and Jay are thrilled to not have to keep such a big secret any longer. “We’re all free!” she said to the group.

A few minutes after her arrival backstage, she was joined by her husband, a very excited West (whose first words upon entering the dressing-room area were “Where is Beyoncé?” as if he could not wait to give B a huge hug) and her former Destiny’s Child ladies, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Even with the doors to their dressing rooms closed, the applause and whoops of joy could be heard everywhere backstage.

“That was an eventful night, to say the least,” Jay, still smiling, said to some of the revelers in the hallway, who continued to shower him with congratulations and hugs.

Source: MTV.com/News

Congratulations to the happy couple as they’ve been waiting for this for quite some time now.

[Video] MTV Video Performances from the 2011 VMAs

If you missed the performances last night, here’s a recap compilation from the performances of last night through video in order as they aired on he VMAs.

Checkout the Videos:

All Videos Courtesy of MTV.com