The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards are gearing up for a legendary night, and hip-hop royalty is at the center of it all. LL COOL J has officially been announced as this year’s host, marking his first time taking the stage solo after co-hosting alongside Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow in 2022. The show will broadcast live coast-to-coast from New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday, September 7th, at 8 PM EST/5 PM PST—with an added twist: it will air on CBS for the first time, while also simulcasting on MTV and streaming on Paramount+.
For decades, the VMAs have celebrated the culture-shifting power of music and visuals, and LL’s appointment feels like a full-circle moment. He’s not just a cultural icon but a key figure in VMA history. From winning Best Rap Video in 1991 for “Mama Said Knock You Out,” to being the first rapper honored with the Video Vanguard Award in 1997, LL has long been intertwined with the show’s legacy. His unforgettable appearances in recent years—leading the hip-hop 50th anniversary tribute in 2023 and spearheading Def Jam’s 40th-anniversary salute in 2024 with Chuck D and Flavor Flav—cemented him as a torchbearer of hip-hop’s enduring influence.
This year, LL steps onto the VMAs stage not just as host, but as a nominee. His fiery single “Murdergram Deaux” featuring Eminem, pulled from his 2024 album THE FORCE, is up for Best Hip-Hop. It’s a powerful reminder that while LL COOL J is a pioneer, he’s also still creating, innovating, and competing at the highest level.
The VMAs themselves are shaping up to be a star-studded spectacle. Lady Gaga leads the pack with 12 nominations, followed closely by her “Die With a Smile” collaborator Bruno Mars with 11. Heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar (10), ROSÉ and Sabrina Carpenter (8 each), Ariana Grande and The Weeknd (7 each), and Billie Eilish (6) are all vying for Moon Person glory. With performances, surprise guests, and the yet-to-be-revealed Video Vanguard recipient, the night promises cultural fireworks.
Behind the scenes, the show boasts powerhouse production with Bruce Gillmer, Jesse Ignjatovic, Barb Bialkowski, and returning veteran Van Toffler at the helm. Their combined vision ensures that this year’s VMAs will be another defining cultural event.
From hosting the Grammys for five consecutive years to becoming one of music’s most respected emcees, LL COOL J’s presence guarantees a masterclass in showmanship. His hosting gig signals more than just a return to form—it’s a continuation of hip-hop’s undeniable seat at the table of pop culture. On September 7th, when the lights hit the stage at UBS Arena, one thing is certain: the 2025 VMAs are going to be one for the history books.