On Aug. 30, MTV will air their 31st annual Video Music Awards show, known as the VMAs. The show has already garnered a lot of press over the pseudo-feud between Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift, but with Miley Cyrus acting as host, you know that this is only the first of many insane and outrageous stories.
Miley is known to bring controversy to everything she does, and the VMAs are known for having a loose, frat party-esque vibe. Here are 17 of the most memorable and wild stories from past VMAs.
1. The "Virginal" Madonna hits the first ever VMAs stage (1984)
Madonna made a name for herself by hitting the stage at the first annual VMAs. The then-new artist performed "Like a Virgin." The song later became a Hot 100 number one song.
2. Nirvana lost all their spirit (1992)
Nirvana shocked MTV executives by playing the opening chords of their song "Rape Me". Execs had requested that the band play "Smells like Teen Spirit" and were outraged that the band was not following though with the plan. After the first few chords, the band did transition into playing "Lithium." However, the amp that bassist Krist Novoselic was using stopped functioning and he threw the guitar into the air for dramatic effect, but it ended up hitting him in the head. This performance was doomed from the start.
3. "Courtney Love is dire need of attention" (1995)
Madonna made headlines again in 1995 (and it wasn't the last time) when she got into a fight with Courtney Love. Technically this moment happened during an after-show interview, but it was still the most talked about thing of the night.
4. "This world is bullshit" (1997)
Fiona Apple went on a bizarre rant during her acceptance speech for winning Best New Artist. According to Apple, "This world is bullshit. You shouldn't model your life on what we think is cool, and what we're wearing and what we're saying and everything. Go with yourself." She finished off her speech by thanking her mom.
5. All that jiggles is gold (1999)
Lil Kim's ensemble was enough to turn heads, but when she was presenting Best Hip-Hop Video with Diana Ross things got a little handsy.
6. Rage against the Scaffolding (2000)
7. The Britney that lived before the infamy (2001)
Britney Spears was the queen of the 2000s and at the VMAs in 2001 she proved that she was a pop princess by dancing on stage with a python.
8. "Artist of the Millennium" (2002)
The 2002 show happened to fall on Michael Jackson's birthday and the show decided to honor him with a tribute. Britney Spears introduced Jackson by calling him "artist of the millennium," which Jackson thought was an award.
9. The Recreation (2003)
Britney and Madonna make the list again. This time it was during a performance that resembled the "Like a Virgin" set. This time, though, Madonna wore a gender-bending groomsmen outfit and kissed her "brides," Britney and Christina Aguilera.
10. Kanye OG (2004)
Five years before the Kanye incident (see No. 14), Beastie Boys' Adam "MCA" Yauch stormed the stage when Best Director was announced as Michael Stipe for R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts."
11. "Go back to England, Brand" (2008)
Russell Brand was called out for his rude political statements about former President George W. Bush. "I know America to be a forward-thinking country because otherwise why would you have let that retard and cowboy fella be president for eight years?" Um, just no.
12. Everyone's in the "Empire State of Mind" (2009)
JayZ and Alicia Keys were killing their duet "Empire State of Mind" and as they struck their final pose, instead of clapping, Lil Mama decided to take the stage.
13. Don't leave them hanging (2009)
Lady gaga made her first VMAs a memorable one by performing a bloody rendition of "Paparazzi" and hanging herself at the end.
14. "Imma let you finish..." (2009)
Arguably, the most defining moment in VMA history is when Taylor Swift won for Best Female Video and had the mic taken from her by Kanye West. The rest is history, but the two have recently been seen playing nice.
15. The "freshest" look of the night (2010)
Lady Gaga is always one to outdo herself and for her second appearance she decided it would be a great idea to wear a dress made out of meat. The meat dress became one of Gaga's most iconic looks, but PETA wasn't too thrilled. You can't win them all.
16. "I want you to feel the love that's growin' inside of me ..." (2011)
Beyonce shut down VMAs when she announced that she and Jay-Z were expecting their first child with a subtle rub of her stomach during "Love on Top" (see 4:20 for the most epic mic drop ever). Blue Ivy's parents sure know how to own an award show (the announcement also dominated Twitter).
17. The twerk seen around the world (2013)
The woman of the night for 2015's VMAs, Miley Cyrus, also made a scene in 2013. Miley and Robin Thicke performed a medley of their songs "We Can't Stop," "Blurred Lines" and "Give it 2 U." The performance confirmed that Miley was no longer a Disney star.
Only time will tell what insanities happen at this year's show, but one thing's for sure with Miley in charge, things will get crazy.
