There are many reasons to be excited for the MTV Music Awards tonight. We want to see who takes home the big prizes, what clothes our favorite celebrities will wear and what kind of surprises MTV has waiting for us.
DETAILS: CONFIRMED! Rihanna & Frank Ocean Will Perform At The 2012 VMAs
And, oh yeah, we want to see the performances.
When it comes to award shows, MTV takes the top prize for having the greatest, most epic performances.
What makes this year’s edition of the yearly spectacle interesting is that we got a couple of new faces hitting that infamous VMAs stage for the first time: 2 Chainz, One Direction and A$AP Rocky will pop their VMA cherry tonight.
DETAILS: Rihanna Set To Perform At The 2012 MTV VMAS
All three acts are great performers, but can they compare to the greats who’ve brought the house down when they performed at the VMAs for the first time? We’re not sure yet, but we will find out soon enough. Until then, take a look at the 10 greatest debut performances at the VMAs.
10. Jay-Z, DJ Clue & Amil “Jigga My Nigga,” “Can I Get A…” & “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” (1999 VMAs)
Jay-Z was only three albums deep when he made his debut appearance on the big VMA stage. Jay didn’t come alone, however. He brought his whole Roc-A-Fella crew, from Memphis Bleek and Beanie Sigel, to the forgotten Amil.
9. Eminem, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg “My Name Is,” “Guilty Conscience” & “Nuthin’ But a “G” Thang” (1999 VMAs)
At the same VMAs Jay-Z made his debut, another notable rapper hit the great stage for the first time. During Eminem’s set, the rapper brought out his Aftermath boss Dr. Dre and the homie Snoop.
8. Chris Brown & Rihanna “Wall To Wall,” “Umbrella” & “Kiss Kiss” (2007 VMAs)
Anyone with two eyes can see what kind of chemistry Chris Brown and Rihanna had as they hit the stage to perform together, as a team, for the first time.
7. Lady Gaga “Poker Face” & “Paparazzi” (2009 VMAs)
This performance was absolutely insane. It featured everything from great music and dancing, to the death of Lady Gaga on stage.
6. Beyoncé & Jay-Z “Baby Boy” & “Crazy in Love” (2003 VMAs)
Hov showed his girl some strong support when the singer hit the stage to perform two memorable tracks off of her Dangerously in Love album.
5. Adele “Someone Like You” (2011 VMAs)
Adele didn’t need an elaborate stage show or crazy dances to have an epic performance. All the singer needed was a piano and her beautiful, strong voice to go into the VMA Hall-of-Fame.
4. Kanye West, Chaka Khan & Syleena Johnson “Jesus Walks,” “All Falls Down” & “Through the Wire” (2005 VMAs)
Kanye West would have many memorable performances in his lifetime, but his VMAs debut, when he did “Jesus Walks” and “Through the Wire,” with the legendary Chaka Khan, herself, has to be near the top.
3. Snoop Dogg “Murda Was the Case They Gave Me” (1994 VMAs)
In the heart of Snoop’s infamous murder trial in 1994, the rapper (who was still going by Snoop Doggy Dogg) made this powerful declaration of his innocence at the 1994 VMAs.
2. Nirvana “Rape Me” & “Lithium” (1992 VMAs)
The story goes like this: MTV wanted Nirvana to perform their super smash hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The band didn’t want to do that song. They wanted to a song called “Rape Me,” which was off of their upcoming In Utero album. They finally settled on another track, “Lithium,” but not before scaring MTV to death by playing a couple of notes of “Rape Me” at the beginning of their set.
1. Madonna “Like a Virgin” (VMAs 1984)
Madonna made a incredible splash at the very first VMAs show all the way back in 1984. How fitting that the very first song she performed at the VMAs was “Like a Virgin.”
