MTV Video Music Awards: How to watch and what to know before the 2022 show in Newark

New York and New Jersey are ready for starring roles at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The always-surprising annual award show returns Sunday to the Prudential Center in Newark for the first time since 2019 with many of the tri-state area’s biggest stars ready to shine.

That includes Queens-raised rapper Nicki Minaj, who will co-host the show and receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and Bay Shore-born LL Cool J, who is also one of the three emcees.

They’ll shepherd a ceremony long known for its shocking moments, from Kanye West interrupting a Taylor Swift acceptance speech in 2009 to Miley Cyrus twerking onstage in 2013.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2022 VMAs.

How to watch

The ceremony airs live beginning at 8 p.m. EDT on MTV and sister channels including MTV2, Comedy Central, BET, VH1, Logo, TV Land and the Paramount Network.

Several of those networks, including MTV and VH1, will also broadcast a pre-show beginning at 6:30 p.m. that’s set to feature performances by pop star Dove Cameron and rapper Yung Gravy.

Who is hosting?

The VMAs are bucking the traditional one-host format for what organizers call a “more innovative and unique” approach, enlisting Minaj, LL Cool J and fellow rapper Jack Harlow as emcees to announce the show’s key moments.

Known for songs like “Anaconda” and “Superbass,” the multi-talented Minaj will perform as this year’s recipient of the Video Vanguard Award, which recognizes an artist’s career achievements. LL Cool J, who got his musical start in Queens as well, was MTV’s selection for the Video Vanguard Award in 1997.

Harlow, whose chart-topping singles include “First Class” and “Industry Baby,” will also perform at the VMAs for a second consecutive year.

Who is nominated?

Hip hop is on top, with Harlow tied for the most nominations with eight.

Rapper-singer Doja Cat also received eight nominations, as did pop star Harry Styles, while hip hop artists Kendrick Lamar and Lil Nas X are close behind with seven nods apiece.

Harlow, 24, and Lil Nas X, 23, are both nominated for artist of the year, while their collaboration “Industry Baby” is up for the night’s top honor in video of the year.

The youthful duo face tough competition in both categories, with Ed Sheeran, Lizzo, Drake and Bad Bunny also finalists for artist of the year.

The video of the year contenders include Styles’ “As It Was,” Sheeran’s “Shivers,” Swift’s “All Too Well: The Short Film,” Olivia Rodrigo’s “Brutal,” Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy” and Doja Cat’s “Woman.”

Who is performing?

This year’s ceremony promises innovative musical moments, including reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny giving a live remote performance from Yankee Stadium, where he has a concert Sunday.

Snoop Dogg and Eminem, meanwhile, will explore virtual reality with a performance inspired by the Otherside metaverse platform.

The Korean-pop supergroup Blackpink will sing “Pink Venom” in their first U.S. award show gig and first time performing the hit in the country.

Other performers include Lizzo, Latin music standouts Anitta and J Balvin, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who will also be honored with the night’s Global Icon Award.

Who can set records?

Swift is in line for multiple milestones, including the chance to set a record with a third win for video of the year.

The pop star, who is tied with Beyoncé, Rihanna and Eminem with two career wins in the category, has received the honor for “Bad Blood” in 2015 and “You Need to Calm Down,” which she co-directed, in 2019.

A win would also make Swift the first artist to take home video of the year honors for a project they solely directed. Swift was also the writer, producer and a star of “All Too Well: The Short Film.”

Minaj and Drake, meanwhile, will look to break their tie in the best hip hop category. The rappers, who are the only artists to win the award twice, are both nominated again this year — Minaj for “Do We Have a Problem” and Drake for “Wait For U.”

Eminem could tie Minaj and Drake, however, if he wins the category for a second time this year for “From the D 2 the LDC.”

And Lil Nas X will look to become the first artist ever to win video of the year two years in a row after receiving the honor for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name) in 2021.