LL Cool J will host the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
The legendary rapper and actor has been officially named as the master of ceremonies for this year’s event, which is set to take place at New York’s UBS Arena on 7 September.
This will be LL’s first time hosting the show on his own. In 2022, he shared hosting duties with Jack Harlow and Nicki Minaj.
He follows in the footsteps of Megan Thee Stallion, who led last year’s show, and Minaj, who hosted in 2023.
Alongside his hosting role, LL is also in the running for Best Hip-Hop thanks to his single Murdergram Deaux, featuring Eminem, from his 2024 album The FORCE.
LL, whose real name is James Smith, has a long history with the VMAs. He won Best Rap Video in 1991 for Mama Said Knock You Out and, in 1997, became the first rapper to receive the Video Vanguard Award. In addition, he performed during the last two VMA broadcasts.
His hosting résumé extends far beyond the VMAs, having fronted the iHeartRadio Music Awards, Soul Train Music Awards, American Music Awards, and the Grammys for five straight years from 2012 to 2016.
This year, Lady Gaga leads the nominations with 12, followed by Bruno Mars with 11 and Kendrick Lamar with 10. Sabrina Carpenter and Rosé each have eight nominations, while Ariana Grande and The Weeknd are both up for seven awards.
The recipient of the 2025 Video Vanguard Award has not yet been announced.
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Mwah!
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