The 2011 VMAs - Ladies Night?

Last night MTV hosted their annual Video Music Awards (VMAs) live in Los Angeles, California. While over the past few years the VMAs have not been the most enjoyable of award shows, this year MTV stepped up their game and finally booked some kick ass performances. Really no one watches the VMAs because they care about who wins, MTV doesn’t even promote music videos anymore (sigh), this show is all about the performance and they finally delivered. 

Lady GaGa/Jo Calderone

The show kicked off with with an incredible performance by the one and only Lady GaGa. Standing on stage in drag as Jo Calderone - she/he delivered a wild monologue that left a lot of the audience confused/nervous about where it could possibly be going (just check the faces of Adele & Katie Holmes you’ll see what I mean). In true GaGa fashion though as soon as she/he sits down at that piano the musical genius begins and she/he delivers an amazing performance per usual. Her voice, her style, BRIAN MAY from Queen!?, everything about this performance of You & I was UH-MAZING.

Jay-Z and Kanye hit the stage with their new hit Otis. This apparently was supposed to be a surprise - but everyone knew it was happening. It was a strong performance by the Watch the Throne duo, but nothing over the top or very notable. Chris Brown also hit the stage and while he had super super sexay dance moves that I only hope my man to be some day will possess, and he certainly entertained I didn’t really get the point? Was it just a cool dance break? The flying? It left me with questions & kind of under-whelmed. Pitt Bull, typical nothing really to say there either. Basically most of the male performances were typical, lack luster and well like I said - Under-Whelming. 

Young the Giant

However, there were two fabulous male performances of the night. One was by a little known group - who I have loved since their album dropped this past October: Young the Giant. It was one of the most passionate performances of the night fo sho. There was an astonishing energy behind it, and I think they gained more than a few fans with their song - My Body. The other outstanding performance was Lil Wayne How to Love. While yes it was hard to understand because of all the bleeping out of words, there is no question that when Weezy gets up on stage he commands attention and you gotta respect it. He’s on the top of his game with his album Carter IV dropping today - can’t wait to check it out.

On to the real stars of the night though, the ladies. I already pointed out the FAB-U-LOUS-NESS that was Lady GaGa, but there were some other real show-stoppers. Beyonce, as always strutted her stuff, but really the best thing about this performance was the revealing of the baby-bump, not much was gonna top that news except for maybe one thing - and that one thing was Adele. Without question the best best best performance of the night. The simplicity of the beautiful performance was unmatched. Standing with a microphone and a simple black dress on Adele’s voice rang out across the theater touching every true music fan in that audience. Her soul, her pain, her life was poured out for everyone to see and that is what makes not only a star, but a legend. Adele gave chills to everyone watching - and not one other performance can say that. 

There was also a tribute to Miss B. Spears herself, the music video queen<3 dancers of all ages got up there to rock it out to all of Brit’s songs it was adorable. There was of course a tribute to the late great Amy Winehouse. It was simple and really highlighted the great talent that she was - it was tastefully done, simple, straight and to the point. Overall the VMAs were a great night of music television.