Busta Rhymes proved his legendary hip-hop status on set at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
With the hype Spliffstar from New York, he took over the stage in a fiery all-red leather ensemble before making history at the VMA on Sunday, September 7th and becoming VMAS’ first recipient.
Busta went all out and performed “Pass to Courvoisier Part II,” “Touch It (Remix)” and “Put Your Hands Your Hands Make My Eyes See.”
Rappers Joyner Lucas, Papus and Glorilla joined him on stage.
Busta Rhymes accepts the first Rock The Bells Visionary Award
The 53-year-old is celebrated with his otherworldly visual contributions to hip-hop culture and musical landscapes. When awarding the award, VMAS host and fellow host Cool J described Busta’s music video as “distorting our reality.”
When embracing his golden moon person image, Busta believed LL Cool J was “why I wrote the first rhyme.” He also made a light-hearted joke during his speech: “Next time it will take 35 years and give me one of these…”
The Rock the Bells Vishery Awards marks his first VMA. A little incredibly, Sunday’s Video Vanguard Award was also Mariah Carey’s first VMA, and was not passed without realizing it. “What was Sam Hell waiting for?” she asked as the crowd cheered for support.
Busta Rhymes Champions Late MTV VJ Ananda Lewis
Busta kept his remarks short and sincerely heartfelt, thanking his family and also took the time to honor Ananda Lewis, a former MTV VJ who passed away earlier this year after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.
“The incredible woman who loved us so much when he came to MTV in the 90s, the incredible woman who loved me,” he said during his speech. “She loved us, she loved the culture, she lifted us up. I love her so much. I miss her so much.”
Taylor Ardley is a news reporter for USA Today. You can contact her at Tardrey@gannett.com.
