LL COOL J to Host 2025 MTV VMAs

LL COOL J is set to host the 2025 MTV VMAs, which will air live coast-to-coast from New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

This will be his first time as the show’s solo host. He co-hosted in 2022 with Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow. (The VMAs have favored hip-hop stars as show hosts in recent years. Minaj solo-hosted in 2023. Megan Thee Stallion did the honors last year.)

LL has a rich VMAs history. He won best rap in 1991 for “Mama Said Knock You Out” and was the first rapper to receive the Video Vanguard Award in 1997. He also performed on the last two VMAs telecasts – he participated in an all-star salute to hip-hop’s 50th anniversary in 2023 and led a 40th-anniversary salute to Def Jam Recordings in 2024. The latter segment also featured surprise guests Chuck D and Flavor Flav from Public Enemy.

This year, LL’s single “Murdergram Deaux” (feat. Eminem) is nominated for best hip-hop. The song was taken from his 2024 album THE FORCE.

LL has emceed many awards shows, most notably the Grammys, which he hosted for five consecutive years from 2012-16.

Additional performers, presenters and special guests will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Lady Gaga leads the nominations for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards with 12 nods, followed closely by her “Die With a Smile” duet partner Bruno Mars, who has 11 nods. Other top contenders are Kendrick Lamar (10), ROSÉ and Sabrina Carpenter (eight each), Ariana Grande and The Weeknd (seven each) and Billie Eilish (six).

MTV has yet to announce this year’s recipient of the Video Vanguard Award, but Billboard’s Andrew Unterberger listed eight likely candidates – in ascending order of perceived likelihood. (Last year, he correctly predicted Katy Perry as the Vanguard recipient, so he knows what he’s talking about.)

This will mark the first time the show has been broadcast by CBS. It will also simulcast on MTV and stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.

The 2025 MTV VMAs are executive produced by Bruce Gillmer, Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic, and Barb Bialkowski. Gunpowder & Sky CEO Van Toffler is producer. Alicia Portugal is co-executive producer. Jackie Barba is executive in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is executive in charge of music talent.

This marks Toffler’s return to the show following a decade-long absence.