Video awards sizzling, but shock-free
Held for the first time in Miami, the city of skin, the MTV Video Music Awards was sizzling, energetic and colourful – yet tame, by MTV standards.
There were no wardrobe malfunctions. Britney didn’t kiss Madonna like last year – or anyone else, for that matter – neither was there – at the event, which saw Glasgow band Franz Ferdinand take the Breakthrough Video award for Take Me Out.
The most skin shown was from Usher, who preened in front of the camera bare-chested as simulated raindrops fell on his chiselled body during the opening performance.
Even Christina Aguilera was classy, dressed sexily yet demurely as she debuted a jazzy number, Tilt Ya Head with rapper Nelly. And the sometimes raunchy comedian Dave Chappelle even kept it relatively clean – despite teasing that he would not.
“It’s the biggest mistake you made since Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl,” he joked, alluding to the MTV-produced Super Bowl halftime flesh show that created a firestorm earlier this year.
There may have been plenty of sex appeal, but little shock appeal on hand, even though MTV was ready, using a several-second tape delay for the first time. The audio delay, used for years, was in heavy use during the hip-hop medley, which featured Lil Jon, Petey Pablo and Fat Joe.
Still, MTV provided the already broiling Miami with even more sizzle early today as MTV brought its annual party known to the city for the first time in the awards’ 21-year history.
The change of scenery for the awards, typically held in New York or Los Angeles, helped raise the decadence level at the already raucous, celebrity-soaked affair, held at the downtown American Airlines Arena.
OutKast’s vivid Hey Ya! Won four awards, including video of the year. Jay-Z’s 99 Problems, the most nominated video with six, also won four. The gritty black-and-white 99 Problems, depicts his own killing as a metaphor for his much-ballyhooed retirement, which has yet to happen.
“I felt like I was trying to push the envelope,” Jay-Z, dressed in a dapper white suit and hat, said as he accepted a moonman for best rap video. “That was my punishment and this is my reward.”
Usher won his first moonman as he took best male video for Yeah!
“This is my first time coming up here – let me take my time with this,” a beaming Usher said. “I’m so damned happy right now I don’t wanna leave.”
Later, he took a dig at Justin Timberlake, who has been touted as his rival.
“I guess there ain’t really any competition between me and Justin no more, right?” he said as he picked up his second award of the night for best dance video.
As usual, the awards were an afterthought to explosive performances and surprise cameos.
Alicia Keys gave a dramatic, soulful appearance, of her hit If I Ain’t Got You, and was buoyed by Stevie Wonder on harmonica. Moments later, she joined Wonder and Lenny Kravitz as they sang a classic Wonder hit, Higher Ground.
The daughters of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry and President George Bush made an appearance – the Bush daughters on video – to urge people to vote. Even the Rev Al Sharpton made an appearance connected to voting – not for the election, though, but for the viewer’s choice award.
Acclaimed rap newcomer Kanye West staged a dramatic version of Jesus Walks, then instead of using a Chaka Khan sample for his hit Through the Wire, brought the R&B veteran onstage to sing the real thing.
Perhaps the most surreal, and bizarre, performance came from the Polyphonic Spree, the twenty-something member rock choir that performed in multicoloured, choirlike robes. They looked like members of a lost cult from the 1970s.
There was also an appearance by uber-twins Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Mary Kate, who recently was treated for an eating disorder, alluded to her ordeal before introducing Jessica Simpson.
“Thank you to everyone – you have been very supportive for the last couple of months,” said Mary Kate.
It was one of the few subdued moments during the lavish night.
Usher and Simpson arrived on the red carpet not by car, but by luxury yacht. Simpson, glamorously attired in a white dress with a silver bodice, arrived with husband and Newlyweds co-star Nick Lachey in a 68ft boat.
The biggest entrance, of course, came from P Diddy. Dressed in a white suit and with a Mohawk haircut, he arrived in a towering yacht along with Ma e, Naomi Campbell and Bruce Willis.
The scene outside the arena was frenzied before the show. Performers such as Ashlee Simpson and Jadakiss rocked an energetic crowd while stars walked the red carpet, showing off their fashions – or lack thereof. Lil’ Kim looked anything but, as she almost busted out of the skimpy top of her flowing dress.
The awards capped what has already been a weeklong celebration in the city, as celebrities such as P Diddy, Paris Hilton and R Kelly held competing star-studded parties leading up to Sunday’s festivities.
The show, held a day before the Republican convention was to kick off in New York City, ended on a patriotic note, as red, white and blue balloons fell from the rafters and fans held “vote” signs during OutKast’s closing performance.
MTV video awards winners
Video of the year: OutKast, “Hey Ya!”
Best pop video: No Doubt, “It’s My Life”
Best rap video: Jay-Z, “99 Problems”
Best female video: Beyonce, “Naughty Girl”
Best male video: Usher featuring Lil’ Jon & Ludacris, “Yeah!”
Best R&B video: Alicia Keys, “If I Ain’t Got You”
Best rock video: Jet, “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”
Breakthrough video: Franz Ferdinand, “Take Me Out”
Best director: Mark Romanek, “99 Problems”
Best special Effects: OutKast, “Hey Ya!”
Best art direction: OutKast, Hey Ya!”
Best editing: Jay-Z, “99 Problems”
Best cinematography: Jay-Z, “99 Problems”
Best choreography: Black Eyed Peas, “Hey Mama”
Best dance video: Usher, featuring Lil’ Jon & Ludacris, “Yeah!”
Best hip-hop video: OutKast, “Hey Ya!”
Best group video: No Doubt, “It’s My Life”
Best new artist in a video: Maroon 5, “This Love”
MTV2 award: Yellowcard, “Ocean Avenue”
Viewer’s Choice: Linkin Park, “Breaking the Habit”
