Although this year’s MTV Video Music Awards are just one
step away from starting the ball rolling, important showbiz figures are still
being added to the list of performers and presenters for the big show.
A year after promising to never return to the VMAs as a
performer, hip-hop star Kanye West will close the 25th annual
ceremony due to be held in Hollywood on Sunday, joining a big-name lineup which
also includes Christina Aguilera and teen heartthrobs the Jonas Brothers.
The rapper was offended by the way he was treated at last
year’s show, as his performance was relegated to a rather small stage in Las Vegas. In addition to
this, Kanye West did not win any prizes and blamed the music cable network for
using Britney Spears, who unintentionally drew all public attention with her
bad lip-synching and vulgar dancing on “Gimme More.”
The ex-pop princess will also be present at this year’s
VMAs, despite her disastrous so-called comeback at the 2007 ceremony. Britney
Spears will kick off this weekend’s show and, according to MTV Networks Music
Group President Van Toffler, the former teen icon’s act will be something “fun
and unexpected,” although further details were not given.
Furthermore, the VMAs’ host this year, English comedian
Russell Brand, joked during a press preview at the Paramount Studios backlot
where the ceremony will take place, saying that, “She [Britney Spears] will be
... doing something so mind-bending, it’ll probably make you want to start
families with each other in a random, possibly Mormon, way.”
Russell Brand was joined at the press conference by “God’s
favorite virgins, the Jonas Brothers,” who he said will have such an
outstanding performance that “it will make the concept of an afterlife seem
tame by comparison.”
Moreover, singer Christina Aguilera will also be present at
Sunday’s show and will perform her brand new single, “Keeps Getting Better,”
which is also the title of a best-of-album she is said to release in November.
“You’re going to get a first look and a first listen at my
new image and my new sound,” she said during Thursday’s press preview. “The
last album, the style and sound was about vintage glam — this one is all about
the future,” Christina Aguilera explained.
The singer stated that her upcoming appearance would be her
first televised performance since she gave birth to her son Max in January.
Another performer, rapper T.I., also attended the
conference, emerging from a fire escape and grabbing the mic in order to let
everyone know that he would also be performing a new song from his future LP,
“Paper Trail,” on the long awaited show.
Other previously announced artists who will perform on
Sunday include R&B singer Rihanna, Lil Wayne and Kid Rock.
MTV also revealed that videos by West, Death Cab For Cutie,
Erykah Badu, Gnarls Barkley and the White Stripes already won awards in the
professional categories.
“Run” by Gnarls Barkley was awarded for art direction and
choreography, Badu’s “Honey” won a prize for direction, while Death Cab For
Cutie’s “I Will Possess Your Heart” was honored for editing. Moreover, the
White Stripes’ “Conquest” won for cinematography and “Good Life” by West feat.
T-Pain was awarded for special effects.
Britney Spears has also received nominations for Best Female
Video, Best Pop Video and Video of the Year, for the clip to her single “Piece
of Me.”
