MTV’s Big Night In Brooklyn: A Look Back At The 2013 Video Music Awards

The 2013 “MTV Video Music Awards” erupted with an explosion of musical firsts and epic moments from the Barclays Center, as the first award show to be broadcast live from Brooklyn.

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Justin Timberlake earned a standing ovation after delivering an extra sensory performance (the longest in VMA history) featuring a medley of his biggest hits. Starting in the hallways of Barclays and winding his way into the arena, Timberlake performed from every corner of the house.   He glided, danced and sang his way through throngs of fans during the show-stopping performance, including a highly anticipated reunion with his former ‘NSYNC band mates for the first time in a decade.

*NSYNC

In one of the most intimate performances of the show, NBA player Jason Collins and A$ap Rocky introduced Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, who were surrounded from above by American flags as they delivered a powerful rendition of their anthem of love, acceptance and equality, “Same Love.” They were joined for an emotionally charged vocal accompaniment by Mary Lambert and surprise guest, super star Jennifer Hudson.

Lady Gaga Performing “Applause” (Getty/MTV)

The VMAs were bookended by world premiere performances from two of the biggest female artists on the planet. Lady Gaga opened the night with an evocative, theatrical rendition of her newly released “Applause.” The performance was produced by the world renowned theater artist, Robert Wilson, and featured Gaga going through numerous costume changes, from a chaste white, floor-length robe to almost baring all in a Botticelli inspired
“Birth of Venus” ending.  Closing the show, against the backdrop one of the most iconic Brooklyn landmarks, the Brooklyn Bridge, Katy Perry roared into a boxing ring to perform her new single “Roar.”

Katy Perry Poses With Fans After Performing “Roar”

The show also included first-ever television premieres of Kanye West’s “Blood on the Leaves,” where he samples Nina Simone’s rendition of Billie Holliday’s indelible “Strange Fruit.” From a darkened stage, Kanye powerfully and in silhouette delivered a riveting performance.  Drake started his set by serenading and later grooving the audience with his hit “Started from the Bottom,” and Bruno Mars seduced all with a tropically infused rendition of “Gorilla.” Miley Cyrus made her VMA debut as she emerged from, yes — the belly of a 30-foot teddy bear to perform “We Can’t Stop.”

Kanye West (Getty MTV)

Jimmy Fallon presented his longtime friend and “History of Rap” collaborator Justin Timberlake with the prestigious “Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.” Timberlake also took home three limited-edition KAWS Moonmen, including “Video of the Year,” presented to him by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  Macklemore & Ryan Lewis were also big VMA winners, taking home three Moonmen for categories including “Best Hip-Hop Video” and the “Best Video with a Social Message.”  Bruno Mars nabbed two awards including “Best Male Video” for “Locked out of Heaven.”

Justin Timberlake (Getty/MTV)

Before introducing “Best Female Video,” which went to Taylor Swift for “I Knew You Were Trouble,” the French electronic duo Daft Punk premiered a sneak peek from their upcoming music video “Lose Yourself to Dance,” along with Pharell and Nile Rogers. P!nk won “Best Collaboration” for “Just Give me a Reason” with Nate Ruess from fun.; Selena Gomez took home “Best Pop Video” for “Come and Get It;” and 30 Seconds to Mars won “Best Rock Video” for “Up in the Air.”

Taylor Swift (Getty/MTV)

The VMAs also introduced two new awards this year, including Artist to Watch, which went to Austin Mahone for “What About Love.” The other new award – “Best Song of the Summer,” powered by Windows Phone – went to One Direction for the group’s “Best Song Ever.”

One Direction (Getty/MTV)

After her whimsically naughty performance, Miley Cyrus helped open “Blurred Lines” with the suave Robin Thicke, who was later joined on stage by 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar performing “Give it 2 U.”  DJ Cassidy kept the night moving as the VMA house deejay.

Robin Thicke And Miley Cyrus

To build anticipation for the show, MTV launched a successful cross platform social communications campaign, #RoadToTheVMAs, which features the Moonman in a myriad of iconic locations throughout Brooklyn and NYC. Thus far, the campaign has garnered more than 100 million social media impressions, including over half a million likes on Instagram, nearly 60 million impressions on Twitter, more than 40 million impressions on Facebook and over 1.2 million impressions on Tumblr.

Full List of 2013 “MTV Video Music Awards” Winners Below:

Video Of The Year
Justin Timberlake – “Mirrors”