Rapper LL Cool J will host the MTV Video Music Awards in 2025

The 57-year-old rap legend, who is one of the nominees for this year’s MTV VMAs, has been named as the ceremony’s host. It will take place on Sunday, September 7, at New York’s UBS Arena. For the first time, it will air concurrently on CBS and MTV. The ceremony will also be streamed on Paramount +.

The hip-hop artist previously co-hosted the 2022 MTV VMAs alongside Jack Harlow and Nicki Minaj. 

The awards ceremony has a long and distinguished history with LL Cool J. He was the first rapper to win the Video Vanguard Award in 1997, and he won his first Moon Person award in 1991 for Best Rap Video for Mama Said Knock You Out.

In 2023, LL Cool J took part in the MTV VMAs’ celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop, and in 2024, he assisted in commemorating the 40th anniversary of Def Jam Recording.

His song “Murdergram Deux,” which also features Eminem, has been nominated for Best Hip Hop at this year’s Video Music Awards. Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us, GloRilla and Sexyy Red’s WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME, Drake’s NOKIA, Eminem and Jelly Roll’s Somebody Save Me, and Doechii’s Anxiety are among the songs he faces.

With nominations in 12 categories, Lady Gaga is the most prominent nominee for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.

No other artist in VMA history has achieved the pop idol’s third consecutive number one nomination.

Kendrick Lamar has received ten nominations, while Bruno Mars has received eleven.

Each of Rosé and Sabrina Carpenter has eight nominations, including in important categories like Artist of the Year and Best Pop. 

This year, the Best Pop Artist and Best Country categories have been expanded to include two new categories.

Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Lamar, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd will all compete for the coveted Artist of the Year award.