VMA performances ranked: The best and worst of 2024

The BLACKPINK member has proven in the past that she's good with dazzling choreography and stunning visuals, but LISA's solo performance at the 2024 VMAs was a miss. “New Woman” could have used some pizzazz from Rosalía, and the “Rockstar” choreography was solid but never jaw-dropping, let alone breathtaking.

That Anitta's celebratory performance lands relatively low on this list is a testament to how inventive and memorable this year's performances were. “Paradise,” backed by DJ Khaled and Fat Joe, worked quite well; Tiago PZK brought charismatic passion to “Alegría”; and Anitta's choreography was perfect as always on “Savage Funk.” But compared to a jam-packed evening, the overall performance fades somewhat from memory.

After a bit of “June Gloom,” Camila Cabello performed her passionate new single “Godspeed” at the VMAs. “Godspeed” was a heartfelt kiss goodbye to an ex (who may or may not have been at the show) and Cabello was in a pensive, confessional state. The visual concept was cool, but “Godspeed” felt more like a song she needed to get off her chest than a song people wanted to hear toward the end of a three-hour-plus awards show. But with the laptop-smashing finale, at least she has an excuse not to answer emails tomorrow.

Memphis breakout GloRilla heated up the VMAs (literally) with “Yeah Glo!” and “TGIF,” bringing infectious joy, flames and rock-star energy to the stage. Towards the end of the lengthy VMAs broadcast, the impact of her solid performance was somewhat muted for viewers watching live—though anyone who nodded off after three hours of awards probably woke up when she narrowly avoided a costume malfunction mid-song.

As a troupe of Slim Shady lookalikes stormed the UBS Arena (evoking the ghost of his 2000 VMA performance), Eminem opened the 2024 VMAs with the Steve Miller Band's “Houdini.” After the Slim Shady lookalikes disappeared, Em rapped his raw, confessional Jelly Roll collaboration “Somebody Save Me,” with the country singer appearing via a video screen. Toward the end of the performance, Em sat down on a shabby couch and looked genuinely pensive as Jelly Roll's vocals closed the song.

On a smoky stage that looked like a living room, Shawn Mendes presented his new Shawn Song “Nobody Knows” at the VMAs. A folk-rock song that gradually gained intensity, “Nobody Knows” showcases his vocal talent, his maturing songwriting and how personable Mendes and his band are. Maybe he's been listening to a lot of Leonard Cohen lately, but it rubbed off well.

The timeless, always fashionable, and effortlessly sensual Lenny Kravitz returned to the VMAs this year, opening with a rousing version of his 1993 hit “Are You Gonna Go My Way” before delivering his new single “Human” (which held up pretty well next to a stone-cold '90s rock classic). He and Quavo closed the medley with “Fly,” a trap version of his unforgettable 1998 hit “Fly Away.” The two have great chemistry onstage and gave the show a nice boost of energy (and visual flair) in the fourth quarter.

Halsey brought out her suburban emo rock during her VMAs performance “Ego,” which included some My Chemical Romance/A crazy Friday Fashion and wailing on an electric guitar on a stage that had been set up to look like a cozy garage practice room, it made a compelling argument that if Halsey had wanted a career as a sneering pop-punker rather than a genre-bending pop singer, she probably could have had that, too.

In addition to hosting the 2024 VMAs, Megan Thee Stallion performed a dazzling medley of songs from her latest album. “Boa” and “BAS” served as warm-ups for her hit “Hiss,” which topped the Hot 100 and was well-received by the crowd, but “Mamushi” was the highlight of the show. Megan (a self-professed fan of Japanese culture, including anime) brought out Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba for their stirring, exciting collaboration.

It was a pleasant surprise that old-school rap hasn't disappeared from awards shows just because hip-hop's 50th anniversary is behind us, especially because some of the veterans — including the indefatigable LL COOL J, who performed a 40th anniversary tribute to Def Jam at the VMAs — can spit as loudly as ever. Joined by the indefatigable Public Enemy on “Bring the Noise,” LL COOL J, who popularized the term GOAT, performed several such hip-hop tracks, from “Mama Said Knock You Out” to “Rock the Bells” to “Goin' Back to Cali” to “Doin' It.” It's a tribute to his powerful, commanding stage presence that his new songs (from his latest LP, The power) felt completely at home on the stage he shared with his classics.

When you hear Benson Boone's No. 2 Hot 100 hit “Beautiful Things,” you may not be prepared for Benson Boone, the force on stage. Dressed in a sparkly blue one-piece with a deep V-neck, Boone leapt across the VMAs stage like Super Mario (a mustache enthusiast) after snagging an invincibility star, and pulled off a flawless forward flip in a jaw-dropping moment. Despite the acrobatics, Boone managed to deliver a passionate vocal performance without losing the beat. He's very reminiscent of Elton John and Brendon Urie – and seems poised for a long career.

Anyone who was not familiar with Rauw Alejandro's live skills before the VMAs will not soon forget them. Against the backdrop of a New York skyline reminiscent of the Broadway classic, West Side StoryAlejandro demonstrated his gravity-defying footwork, dazzling rhythms, seductive vocals, and cool style (the fedora, baggy pants, and tight white tank top felt both classic and contemporary) while singing a medley of “Touching the Sky,” “Diluvio,” and “Déjame Entrar.”

Katy Perry, an artist who has topped the Billboard Hot 100 and headlined the Super Bowl halftime show, secured another win as the winner of the 2024 VMA Video Vanguard Award. Perry wisely put the poorly received “Woman's World” behind her and sang 21st century pop classics from “Firework” to “California Gurls” to “Dark Horse” with impressive vocal control, showcasing the kind of visual panache that made us Katycats in the first place. Whether she was soaring through the air while hopping on her dancers' shoulders, draping herself over a twerking Doechii on their new collaboration “I'm His, He's Mine,” or unwrapping silver balloon wings on “I Kissed a Girl,” Perry's VMAs performance felt like a well-deserved (and frankly, much-needed) victory lap for a pop icon who is gearing up to release a new album (143 on 20 September).

Karol G's medley at last year's BBMAs was one of the absolute highlights of the show, and she scored another major awards win at the 2024 VMAs, wearing a pair of hip-hugging jeans reminiscent of Christina Aguilera circa 1900. Moved outMoving across the stage (and through the crowd) with casual confidence, Karol G delivered a colorful performance of “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” that highlighted the irresistible, inviting rhythms of her unrivaled Latin pop.

Chappell Roan's signature melodies, unconventional visuals and authenticity were a blessing and a relief for pop fans in 2024 – and like her performances at Lollapalooza and Governors Ball, she was a smash hit at the VMAs. Roan took the stage in medieval battle gear as if she were Joan of Arc (Roan of Arc, if you will), shot a flaming crossbow at a walled castle, then sang “Good Luck, Babe!” as sword-wielding knights danced and the castle burned. Prayers for our uncompromising pop crusader.

A new force in pop music is here. Not only is Sabrina Carpenter dominating the Billboard 200 and the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, but her medley at the 2024 VMAs made it clear that there's a new pop sheriff in town – and she's never known failure.

Hanging from the ceiling on a diamond-studded swing (reminiscent of 2001) Moulin Rouge), while sweetly crooning “Please Please Please,” Carpenter descended onto a lunar surface-style stage to sing “Taste” while a horny astronaut and a scantily clad alien made out with her. After throwing the moon man into the void, she made out with the alien and then hurled her off the stage as well.

Finally, Carpenter strutted down the runway with the confidence of a newly arrived star, singing “Espresso” as a troupe of astronaut dancers swirled around her. She finished it all off with a Marilyn Monroe in Blondes are on the side of gentlemen posing on her backup guys – oh, and did we mention she wore the same Bob Mackie-designed dress that Madonna wore on the Oscars red carpet in 1991 alongside Michael Jackson? All in all, perfectly crafted – but what else would you expect from a carpenter?