Busta Rhymes To Receive Inaugural MTV VMA Rock The Bells Visionary Award

Busta Rhymes is set to make history at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). The veteran rapper has been named the recipient of the Inaugural MTV VMA Rock The Bells Visionary Award, to be presented at this year’s ceremony. The 53-year-old will also take the stage to celebrate the career achievement.

Announced on Monday morning (Aug. 18), Alex Warren, J Balvin ft. DJ Snake, Ricky Martin, Sabrina Carpenter, and sombr are also booked as official 2025 VMAs performers. Additionally, Ricky Martin will be honored with the Latin Icon Award.

The 2025 ceremony will be hosted by Hip-Hop icon LL Cool J. The Queens native previously served as co-host in 2022 with Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow, and in 1997, he made VMA history as the first rapper to be recognized with the coveted Video Vanguard Award.

Lady Gaga leads this year’s nomination class with 12 nominations total, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Best Album, and more. The 39-year-old is the top overall nominee for the third time and claims 18 career wins. Bruno Mars closely follows his aforementioned collaborator with 11 nominations total, while Kendrick Lamar has the third most nominations with 10.

Additional nominees include Beyoncé, ROSÉ, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Billie Eilish, Charli xcx, Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus, Tate McRae, Leon Thomas, Freddie Gibbs, Lay Bankz, and Brent Faiyaz.

The 2025 MTV VMAs air live on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. Scroll through VIBE’s red carpet gallery of last year’s show here and read a recap of the best moments here.