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LL Cool J is returning to the MTV VMAs stage for his first solo hosting gig in the award show’s history
The rapper previously shared hosting duties with Nick Minaj and Jack Harlow
The awards show airs Sunday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and MTV
LL Cool J is returning to the MTV VMAs stage this September.
On Thursday, Aug. 14, MTV announced that the “Mama Said Knock You Out” rapper will be hosting the 2025 MTV VMAs at the UBS Arena on Sunday, Sept. 7.
This marks the second time LL Cool J, 57, is serving as the emcee for the ceremony. He, along with Jack Harlow and Nicki Minaj, shared hosting duties in 2022. This time, he’ll be running the show solo.
Peter Yang
LL Cool J headshot
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LL Cool J’s history with the VMAs goes back decades. Along with serving as a host in 2022, he won his first Moon Person in 1991 for Best Rap and became the first rapper to receive the Video Vanguard Award in 1997.
He performed onstage during the all-star tribute to 50 years of hip-hop in 2023. LL Cool J also celebrated Def Jam Records’ 40th anniversary with Public Enemy in 2024.
This year, his song “Murdergram Deaux” featuring Eminem is nominated in the Best Hip-Hop category from LL Cool J’s 2024 album The Force.
On Aug. 5, the MTV VMAs revealed their nominees for the upcoming awards show.
Lady Gaga leads with 12 nominations, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for “Die with a Smile” with Bruno Mars, Best Album for Mayhem and Best Editing for her “Abracadabra” music video. This is the first time Gaga, 39, is the most-nominated artist for the VMAs.
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Other artists with the most nods are Mars, 39, with 11 nominations and Kendrick Lamar with 10. ROSÉ and Sabrina Carpenter are being recognized in eight categories. Meanwhile, Ariana Grande and The Weeknd have seven nominations. Billie Eilish has six nods, and Charli xcx received five nominations.
Two new categories have been introduced for this year’s awards show: Best Country and Best Pop Artist.
CBS
2025 MTV VMAs poster
Presenters, performers and special guests for this year’s awards show have yet to be announced.
The 2025 MTV VMAs air live from UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS (for the first time) and MTV. The ceremony will also stream on Paramount+.
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