Busta Rhymes Steals the Show at the MTV Video Music Awards 2025
Busta Rhymes gave an unforgettable performance of several of his hit songs before taking the first Rock The Bells Visionary Award on Sunday at the MTV Video Music Awards 2025. The high-energy performance started on stage with the dancer dressed in red, performing his hits "Gimmen something", "scenario", "put your hands on where my eyes could see" and "pass The Courvosier, Part II". He was also accompanied by Joyner Lucas, Papoose, and Glorilla when they helped him perform several songs.
A Memorable Performance
The performance was a testament to Busta Rhymes’ enduring talent and energy. With a career spanning over three decades, he has managed to stay relevant and entertaining, always pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the music industry. His ability to get the crowd on their feet and dancing along to his songs is a rare talent that few artists possess.
Accepting the Visionary Award
After his performance, Rhymes took a moment to speak to the crowd while taking the visionary price. "I know that I usually make these long speeches. I’m not going to do one today," he started. "But if you take 35 years next time to give me one of them, let me talk as long as I want." Rhymes thanked his friend LL Cool J, who presented him with the award, before paying tribute to Ananda Lewis, the former moderator of MTV VJ and TV show who died in June after a fight with breast cancer at the age of 52.
Paying Tribute to Ananda Lewis
Rhymes gave a heartfelt tribute to Ananda Lewis, describing her as an "incredible woman who loved us very much when we came to MTV in the 90s". He said, "I would like to thank, and I think we all have to recognize the incredible woman who loved us very much when we came to MTV in the 90s. An incredible woman who loved me and she loved us. She loved the culture very much. I miss it very much. The late, great, incredible royal Empress Ananda Lewis." Rhymes then gave Lewis’ family members a shout-out before thanking the crowd one last time for the award.
A Career Spanning Over Three Decades
Before the award ceremony, MTV announced that the "Rhymes" "cross-border cultural effects and indomitable musical careers" celebrated ". Rhymes gave his VMA debut in 1997 and has performed several times at the award ceremony, including a memorable medley of his biggest hits that closed out the 2021 show. He was also nominated for 16 awards over the years. However, the 2025 VMAs marked the first time that he accepted a moon person.
The 2025 VMAs
The 2025 VMAs took place in the New York UBS Arena, with LL Cool J serving as the host of the event. The night was filled with memorable performances and award presentations, but Busta Rhymes’ performance and acceptance speech will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about moments of the evening. With his unique style and infectious energy, Busta Rhymes has cemented his place as one of the most iconic figures in the music industry.
