MTV, a division of Viacom Inc. announced Monday that the 2013 "Video Music Awards" (VMAs) will take place in Brooklyn, NY at the Barclays Center. This year's show marks the VMAs 30th anniversary and the first major awards show to take place in the borough.
The MTV VMAs celebrate the most popular artists across various music genres. Since the first show aired in 1984 it's been the most influential and often controversial music celebration around the globe. Compared to other award shows, the VMAs have created the most memorable performances and moments in music history. Madonna debuted her first single "Like a Virgin" at the first VMA show in 1984 and even humped the stage during her performance. Many deemed it inappropriate, but that act pretty much set the tone of what to expect during the VMAs decades later.
One of the most unforgettable VMA moments in history involved the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. At the 1995 VMAs held at Radio City Music Hall, NYC Jackson performed a 15-minute medley of some of his greatest hits. He also shocked the world that night, with live on-stage PDA with his then-wife Lisa Marie Presley in front of millions.
And we can't forget Kanye West's shenanigans during the 2009 VMAs, when he interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech when she won a coveted MTV "Moonman." President Obama even commented on that stunt, calling West a "jackass."
In celebration of the VMAs heading to Brooklyn this year, the official MTV Instagram account posted photos of the Moonman award, and documenting the trip with the #RoadToTheVMAs hashtag.
The Moonman hit up landmarks like Brooklyn Bridge and the late Notorious B.I.G's mural, posting a final photo at the Barclays Center.
"From hip-hop to hipsters, Jay- Z to MGMT, Brooklyn musicians have a long history of dominating the 'spotlight' on MTV. Brooklyn is a cultural Mecca - the hippest, coolest place for young people across the country, and has played a crucial role in the careers of some of 2013's biggest bands, like Fun, and the Lumineers," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz in a press release.
The 2013 MTV "Video Music Awards" takes place live at the Barclays Center on Sunday, Aug. 25.
