Every year MTV hosts its Video Music Awards and it’s always the coolest awards show of the year. And usually, there are one or two performers I’ve never heard of. If you're like me, this playlist is for you. Read on to find out who is performing and why you may or may not have heard of them and listen to what song they may perform on Wednesday night.
There are a few items of note. First, this playlist is a bit explicit, and I expect it will be fun seeing how some artists censor themselves for TV. For instance, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky will perform "Cockiness (Remix)." We'd post that song here but it has the most swears of any song ever.
Also, despite being hospitalized with a mystery illness earlier this week, Billie Joe Armstrong will join his Green Day bandmates onstage.
Rihanna
Why you may have heard that name: Because she's one of the most famous people in the world.
Why you may not have heard that name: You don't watch TV or listen to the radio or use the internet or pass by magazine stands.
A$AP Rocky
Why you may have heard that name: The 23-year-old rapper's 2011 mixtape generated a ton of buzz.
Why you may not have heard that name: Because he has yet to release an album.
Nicki Minaj
Why you may have heard that name: Her numerous solo hits, collaborations, colourful wigs, use of accents. Or maybe just those little girls on Ellen.
Why you may not have heard that name: You've been trying really hard not to find out who this person is.
2 Chainz
Why you may have heard that name: You love hip-hop and/or strippers.
Why you may not have heard that name: You don't pay attention to anyone with fewer than 3 chainz.
Lil Wayne
Why you may have heard that name: He's one of the greatest rappers alive and at last year's VMAs he wore jeggings.
Why you may not have heard that name: You've been warned to avoid terrible guitar solos.
One Direction
Why you may have heard that name: They're the biggest boy band in the world, they've got gravity-defying hair, and they played at last month's big shindig in London.
Why you may not have heard that name: You're not a teenage girl or a grown man who pays attention to this kind of stuff for work.
Taylor Swift
Why you may have heard that name: Chances are you dated her and she wrote a song about your breakup, or you witnessed Kanye steal her microphone.
Why you may not have heard that name: You have. You just have.
Pink
Why you may have heard that name: The dangerous late '90s alternative to Britney and Christina turned out to be the most together and has consistently released hit songs.
Why you may not have heard that name: Are you kidding? You've definitely heard the name. It's also a famous colour.
Green Day
Why you may have heard that name: They're one of the most successful alt-rock bands of all time, they've sold tens of millions of albums and had a hit Broadway show.
Why you may not have heard that name: You've been in solitary confinement since 1994.
Frank Ocean
Why you may have heard that name: The R&B singer and Odd Future member made waves this summer when he blogged about a same-sex relationship he'd had.
Why you may not have heard that name: He's not a household name yet, and if you're over 45 and don't follow music that closely, you could miss him.
Related:
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