2009 Video Music Awards Winners List

MTV turned New York City inside out for the “2009 Video Music Awards” as the network celebrated a legend and brought together the biggest names in music, TV, film and sports. Live from Radio City Music Hall, VMA icon Madonna opened the show and introduced the emotional and heartfelt tribute to Michael Jackson. Janet Jackson was joined onstage by the most renowned choreographers in the world and Michael’s tour dancers, all of whom were influenced by the “King of Pop,” for a memorable and high energy performance. To honor her brother and his illustrious career, the dancers recreated some of his most memorable music videos including “Thriller,” “Bad,” “Smooth Criminal” and “Scream.” The celebration received a standing ovation and set the tone for the most important evening in music and pop culture.

Always controversial, British comedian Russell Brand pushed the envelope as he had fun with a slew of new stars and charmed the ladies. Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and popstar Katy Perry helped Russell kick-off his hosting duties in a big way with a light infused performance of the classic rock anthem by Queen, “We Will Rock You.”

Young country-pop superstar Taylor Swift earned “Best Female Video” for “You Belong With Me” in one of the most competitive categories of the evening, causing Kanye West to storm the stage in protest of Beyonce not winning. In a gracious act, Beyonce later called Taylor back on stage to rightfully accept her award. Beyonce did win an outstanding three moonmen including the coveted “Video of the Year” award for her viral video sensation “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).” Also landing three statues was Lady Gaga including “Best New Artist” for her hit single “Poker Face.” Green Day made a triumphant return to the VMAs by claiming three awards including “Best Rock Video” for “21 Guns.” Eminem walked away victorious in an extremely heated race for “Best Hip Hop Video” with “We Made You.”

Adding to her collection of moonmen and accepting her award via satellite while on tour, Britney Spears won “Best Pop Video” for “Womanizer.” After officially premiering at last year’s show, T.I. and Rihanna won “Best Male Video” for their multi-platinum song “Live Your Life.”

Eminem once again showcased his comedic chops teaming up with Tracy Morgan and featuring a cameo by Cyndi Lauper to present the “Best New Artist” nominees throughout the show.

Drawing on the musical energy and passion of New York City, MTV used the city as a backdrop to showcase the unprecedented and groundbreaking performances from today’s most popular artists. Making her first VMA performance a standout, Taylor Swift sang a never-before-heard version of her single “You Belong With Me.” Taylor fully incorporated all NYC has to offer by transitioning from a subway car to 6(th) Avenue surrounded by fans and ending her performance on top of a taxi cab.

Known for her over the top live performances and fashion forward style, Lady Gaga turned a childhood dream into a reality as she made her grand entrance into VMA history. During her unforgettable performance of “Paparazzi,” the international superstar gives her own interpretation on the price of fame which culminates with her levitating into the air.

Surrounded by pyro and using every corner of the VMA stage, fan favorite Green Day made an explosive return to the VMA stage by giving a high energy rock performance of their single “East Jesus Nowhere.”

Beyonce had all of Radio City dancing to “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” with her call and response to the audience as she translated her music video phenomenon to the live stage. The pop diva was backed by an army of dancers as they displayed their incomparable dance moves during her performance.

Already a household name across the pond, British rockers Muse gave a breakthrough performance expanding their fan base worldwide. The band performed their latest single “Uprising” from a live remote at the Walter Kerr Theater in the Broadway district of Manhattan in front of hundreds of screaming fans.

Determined to top herself and once again raise the bar for live performances, P!nk mastered a jaw-dropping aerial act 30 feet above the stage while performing her single “Sober.” And yes, she sang every single word of it.

Bringing the show to a climactic end, JAY-Z and Alicia Keys honored their hometown of New York as they gave a powerful performance of “Empire State of Mind.”

As the official VMA house band, hip-hop’s newest challenger Wale and the legendary go go band UCB hyped up the audience as they put their own unique spin on some of the biggest songs of the year, his own material and a few classic covers. They collaborated with a number of artists including Kid Cudi with “Day And Night,” The All-American Rejects with “Gives You Hell,” Pitbull with “You Know You Want Me” and 3OH!3 with “Don’t Trust Me”. Kid Cudi honored DJ AM during his performance of “Make Her Say.”

The star studded show also included appearances by Megan Fox, Jimmy Fallon, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Jack Black, Andy Samberg, Kristin Cavallari, Pete Wentz, Gerard Butler, Diddy, Tracy Morgan, Adam Brody, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Alexa Chung, Gabe Saporta of Cobra Starship and Justin Bieber, Ne-Yo, Nelly Furtado, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Chace Crawford, Leighton Meester, Miranda Cosgrove and Serena Williams.

The MTV audience was treated to exclusive first looks at fall’s most anticipated films and soundtracks including Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT and The Twilight Saga: New Moon trailers during the show. Viewers were also given a sneak peek at the latest trailer from the upcoming movie Fame during MTV News’ “2009 VMA Preshow.”

 

    2009 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS

    GENERAL CATEGORIES:

    VIDEO OF THE YEAR

    Beyonce

    Title: Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

    Album: I AM. . .SASHA FIERCE

    Director: Jake Nava

    Label: Music World Music/Columbia

    Production Company: Anonymous Content

    Producer: John Winter

    BEST NEW ARTIST

    Lady Gaga

    Title: Poker Face

    Album: The Fame

    Director: Ray Kay

    Label: Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope

    Production Company: Rockhard Films

    Producer: Jil Hardin/ Nicole Ehrich

    BEST MALE VIDEO

    T.I. featuring Rihanna

    Title: Live Your Life

    Album: Paper Trail

    Director: Anthony Mandler

    Label: Atlantic Records

    Production Company: Les Enfants Terribles

    Producer: Gina Leonard

    BEST FEMALE VIDEO

    Taylor Swift

    Title: You Belong With Me

    Album: Fearless

    Director: Roman White

    Label: Big Machine Records

    Production Company: Revolution Pictures

    Producer: Randy Brewer

    BEST HIP HOP VIDEO

    Eminem

    Title: We Made You

    Album: Relapse

    Director: Joseph Kahn

    Label: Aftermath/Interscope

    Production Company: HSI Productions

    Producer: Mary Ann Tanedo

    BEST POP VIDEO

    Britney Spears

    Title: Womanizer

    Album: Circus

    Director: Joseph Kahn

    Label: Jive/Zomba Label Group

    Production Company: HSI Productions

    Producer: Mary Ann Tanedo

    BEST ROCK VIDEO

    Green Day

    Title: 21 Guns

    Album: 21st Century Breakdown

    Director: Marc Webb

    Label: Reprise Records

    Production Company: DNA Inc

    Producer: Michael Angelos

    PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES:

    BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

    Beyonce

    Title: Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

    Album: I AM. . .SASHA FIERCE

    Director: Jake Nava

    Label: Music World Music/Columbia

    Production Company: Anonymous Content

    Producer: John Winter

    Choreographer:  Jaquel Knight & Frank Gatson Jr.

    BEST DIRECTION

    Green Day

    Title: 21 Guns

    Album: 21st Century Breakdown

    Director: Marc Webb

    Label: Reprise Records

    Production Company: DNA Inc

    Producer: Michael Angelos

    BEST EDITING

    Beyonce

    Title: Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

    Album: I AM. . .SASHA FIERCE

    Director: Jake Nava

    Label: Music World Music/Columbia

    Production Company: Anonymous Content

    Producer: John Winter

    Editor: Jarrett Fijal

    BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS

    Lady Gaga

    Title: Paparazzi

    Album: The Fame

    Director: Jonas Akerlund

    Label: Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope

    Production Company: Factory Films Ltd.

    Producer: Steven Johnson/Nicole Ehrich

    BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

    Green Day

    Title: 21 Guns

    Album: 21st Century Breakdown

    Director: Marc Webb

    Label: Reprise Records

    Production Company: DNA Inc

    Producer: Michael Angelos

    Cinematographer: Jonathan Sela

    BEST ART DIRECTION

    Lady Gaga

    Title: Paparazzi

    Album: The Fame

    Director: Jonas Akerlund

    Label: Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope

    Production Company: Factory Features

    Producer: Steven Johnson/Nicole Ehrich

    Art Director: Jason Hamilton

    ONLINE CATEGORIES:

    BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO

    Matt & Kim

    Title: Lessons Learned

    Album: Grand

    Director: Taylor Cohen & Otto Arsenault

    Label: Fader

    Production Company: FVNMO

    Producer: Taylor Cohen, Otto Arsenault

    BEST VIDEO (THAT SHOULD HAVE WON A MOONMAN)

    Beastie Boys

    Title: Sabotage

    Album: III Communication

    Director:  Spike Jonze

    Label: Grand Royal/Capitol Records

 

Shugoll Research and Telescope are the Official Business Advisors of the “2009 MTV Video Music Awards” Nominee and Winner Voting periods.

Jesse Ignjatovic/Den of Thieves is the Executive Producer for the “2009 MTV Video Music Awards.” Dave Sirulnick is Executive Producer. Garrett English is co-Executive Producer/Executive in Charge of Production. Amy Doyle is co-Executive Producer. Joanna Bomberg is Executive in Charge of Music and Talent. Jen Jones is Producer. Hamish Hamilton is Director. Robin Reinhardt-Locke is Celebrity Talent Executive.

Official sponsors of the “2009 MTV Video Music Awards” are 5 (R)( )Gum, Febreze, Pepsi, Rhapsody (R), Sears, Taco Bell (R), U.S. Army and Verizon Wireless.

The “2009 MTV Video Music Awards” will be available to a potential viewing audience of more than 1.2 billion people via MTV’s global network of 68 channels reaching 577 million households around the world as well as through syndication. In addition, its convergent programming & content will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV’s more than 200 digital media properties around the world.