MTV VMAs in NJ 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark: It's a Jersey thing

It’s a Jersey thing.

The MTV Video Music Awards, aka the VMAs, will make their New Jersey debut 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26 at the Prudential Center in Newark. Yes, the awards show that brought you Madonna’s writhing “Like a Virgin” performance; Britney Spears and a big, yellow snake; and Kanye West grabbing the microphone out of Taylor Swift’s hand, is ours.

Like it or not.

“As Joe Biden would say, this is a big deal for Newark, for this building, for this state,” said Gov. Phil Murphy at the Prudential Center on May 6. 

This year, the VMAs will have a Jersey edge, said co-producer Bruce Gillmer, Viacom’s head of music and talent. 

“Several of us on the production team are actually from New Jersey,” Gillmer said. “In a very organic way you’re going to get a lot of Jersey vibe. Backstage, on the stage, on the lead up — we’re completely embracing the Jersey spirit.”

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That Jersey spirit includes a remote performance by Wyckoff natives the Jonas Brothers at an undisclosed location at the Jersey Shore. A tell might be that the marquee on the Stone Pony in Asbury Park temporarily read “Jonas Brothers Sold Out” last week, but neither the Pony nor MTV are confirming it.

The Jonas Brothers recently got the band back together and they’re hot again. “Sucker,” from the band’s comeback album, “Happiness Begins,” was a No. 1 hit that’s approaching 200 million views on YouTube.

As for the rest of the awards night, Taylor Swift, Lil Nas X, Camila Cabello, Lizzo, Rosalía, J Balvin, Shawn Mendes, Bad Bunny, A$AP Ferg, Big Sean, H.E.R., Normani, and Ozuna, are set to perform in Newark, as is Missy Elliott, who will receive the Video Vanguard award.

Award presenters include Alex Morgan, Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris from the US Women’s National Soccer Team; Bebe Rexha; Billy Ray Cyrus; French Montana; Hailee Steinfeld; Ice-T; John Travolta; Jonathan Van Ness;   Keke Palmer; Lenny Kravitz; Lindsey Vonn; Megan Thee Stallion; P.K. Subban of the New Jersey Devils; Rick Ross; Salt-N-Pepa and former Giant Victor Cruz.

As for the awards, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande lead the pack with 10 nominations each. 21 Savage ft. J. Cole's “a lot;” Billie Eilish's “Bad Guy;” Ariana Grande's “thank u, next;” the Jonas Brothers's  “Sucker;” Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus's “Old Town Road (Remix);” and Taylor Swift's “You Need to Calm Down” are up for Video of the Year. Visit vma.mtv.com to place your vote in all of the categories. The Best New Artist award voting takes place at the start of the show on Aug. 26.

Comedian and actor Sebastian Maniscalco will be the host.

MTV is hoping the move to Newark will jump-start VMA ratings. Last year’s broadcast from Radio City Music Hall in New York City scored a 1.04 rating among adults 18-49 and 2.25 million viewers, all lows for VMAs 35-year history, in 2018. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka underscored the situation when he asked if “people still watch MTV” at the May press event.

Still, the VMAs are a talker.

“For pop culture in this day and age, it’s still a huge moment and if it wasn’t, no one would show up,” said Don Maggi, the executive producer of the public television music-themed hits “Front & Center” and “Speakeasy.” “The fact that they’re in Newark says a lot about the fact they feel it’s OK to be in Newark with such a high environment with red carpets and celebrities. It’s phenomenal for the town and obviously the Prudential Center.”

The city of Newark is involved on multiple fronts. Students from city’s Barringer High School will be attending for free and two murals by artist Queen Andrea near the Prudential Center were unveiled on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

The staging will create 1,000 jobs, according to MTV. Figures on how much revenue the awards will generate for the city were not available as of press time   

Baraka  called it an “incredible economic surge.”  

“I’m just excited for the city,” said Baraka to the USA Today Network New Jersey. “I’m excited for the Prudential arena, all the artists coming through to spend time in the city of Newark. It’s awesome for the city to get something like this. People will shop here, eat here, hang out here in the community, stay in the hotels. Those things are going to blossom because of that.”

Ava Max, CNCO and Megan Thee Stallion will perform at a red carpet concert before the show on Monday.  

“There’s going to be people coming from all over to participate in this great event and they’r going to go through our airports, they’ll be dining at our restaurants  and they’ll be enjoying the catering here and the concessions, and obviously buying tickets and parking and all the great things surrounding the arena,” said Sean Saadeh, executive vice president of entertainment for the Prudential Center.

Yes, the Moonperson will be there, too.

“I want to give a shout out to Moonperson,” Murphy said.

Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. His multiple awards include recognition for stories on both Bruce Springsteen and Snooki.  Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com. Stay with app.com or consider a subscription today.

MTV VMAs

When: 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26  

Where: MTV

COMPLETE LIST OF MTV VMAS NOMINEES

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

21 Savage ft. J. Cole –  “a lot” – Epic Records

Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records

Ariana Grande – “thank u, next” – Republic Records

Jonas Brothers – “Sucker” – Republic Records

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Cardi B – Atlantic Records

Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope Records

Ariana Grande – Republic Records

Halsey – Astralwerks/Capitol Records

Jonas Brothers – Republic Records

Shawn Mendes– Island Records

SONG OF THE YEAR

Drake – “In My Feelings” – Young Money/Cash Money/Republic Records

Ariana Grande – “thank u, next” – Republic Records

Jonas Brothers – “Sucker” – Republic Records

Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper – “Shallow” – Interscope Records

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records

BEST NEW ARTIST

Ava Max – Atlantic Records

Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope Records

H.E.R. – MBK/RCA Records

Lil Nas X – Columbia Records

Lizzo – Atlantic Records

ROSALÍA – Columbia Records

BEST COLLABORATION

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records

Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper – “Shallow” – Interscope Records

Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records

Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco – “ME!” – Republic Records

Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber – “I Don’t Care” – Atlantic Records

BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv” – Columbia Records

PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Bazzi – Atlantic Records

CNCO – RCA Records

Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope Records

H.E.R. – MBK/RCA Records

Lauv – LAUV/AWAL

Lizzo – Atlantic Records

BEST POP

5 Seconds of Summer – “Easier” – Interscope Records

Cardi B & Bruno Mars – “Please Me” – Atlantic Records

Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records

Khalid – “Talk” – Right Hand Music Group/RCA Records

Ariana Grande – “thank u, next” – Republic Records

Jonas Brothers – “Sucker” – Republic Records

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records

BEST HIP HOP

2 Chainz ft. Ariana Grande – “Rule the World” – 2 Chainz Ps/Def Jam

21 Savage ft. J. Cole –  “a lot” – Epic Records

Cardi B – “Money” – Atlantic Records

DJ Khaled ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend – “Higher” – We The Best/Epic Records

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records

Travis Scott ft. Drake – “SICKO MODE” – Epic Records/Grand Hustle/Cactus Jack

BEST R&B

Anderson .Paak ft. Smokey Robinson – “Make It Better” – Aftermath Ent/12 Tone Music

Childish Gambino – “Feels Like Summer” – RCA Records

H.E.R. ft. Bryson Tiller – “Could’ve Been” – MBK/RCA Records

Alicia Keys – “Raise A Man” – RCA Records

Ella Mai – “Trip” – 10 Summers/Interscope Records

Normani ft. 6lack – “Waves” – Keep Cool/RCA Records

BEST K-POP

BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv” – Columbia Records

BLACKPINK – “Kill This Love” – YG Entertainment/Interscope Records

Monsta X ft. French Montana – “Who Do You Love” – Epic Records

TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “Cat & Dog” – Republic Records

NCT 127 – “Regular” – SM Entertainment

EXO – “Tempo” – SM Entertainment

BEST LATIN

Anuel AA, Karol G – “Secreto” – Universal Music Latino

Bad Bunny ft. Drake – “MIA” – OVO Sound/Warner Bros. Records

Benny Blanco, Tainy, Selena Gomez, J Balvin – “I Can’t Get Enough” – NEON16/Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope Records

Daddy Yankee ft. Snow – “Con Calma” – Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Maluma – “Mala Mía” – Sony Music US Latin

ROSALÍA & J Balvin ft. El Guincho – “Con Altura” – Columbia Records

BEST DANCE

The Chainsmokers ft. Bebe Rexha – “Call You Mine” – Disruptor/Columbia Records

Clean Bandit ft. Demi Lovato – “Solo” – Big Beat/Atlantic Records

DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B – “Taki Taki” – DJ Snake Music Productions Ltd/Geffen

David Guetta, Bebe Rexha & J Balvin – “Say My Name” – Big Beat/Atlantic Records

Marshmello & Bastille – “Happier” – Capitol Records

Silk City & Dua Lipa – “Electricity” – Columbia Records

BEST ROCK

The 1975 – “Love It If We Made It” – Dirty Hit/Interscope Records

Fall Out Boy – “Bishops Knife Trick” – Island Records

Imagine Dragons – “Natural” – KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records

Lenny Kravitz – “Low” – BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.

Panic! At The Disco – “High Hopes” – Elektra Music Group

twenty one pilots – “My Blood” – Elektra Music Group

VIDEO FOR GOOD 

Halsey – “Nightmare” – Astralwerks/Capitol Records

The Killers – “Land of the Free” – Island

Jamie N Commons, Skylar Grey ft. Gallant – “Runaway Train” – Interscope Records

John Legend – “Preach” – Columbia Records

Lil Dicky – “Earth” – Dirty Burd, Inc./Commission/BMG

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records

BEST DIRECTION

Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Directed by Dave Meyers

FKA twigs – “Cellophane” – Young Turks – Directed by Andrew Thomas Huang

Ariana Grande – “thank you, next” – Republic Records – Directed by Hannah Lux Davis

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records – Directed by Calmatic

LSD ft. Labrinth, Sia, Diplo – “No New Friends” – Columbia Records – Directed by Dano Cerny

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records – Directed by Drew Kirsch & Taylor Swift

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Billie Eilish – “when the party’s over” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Ryan Ross, Andres Jaramillo

FKA twigs – “Cellophane” – Young Turks – Visual Effects by Matt Chandler, Fabio Zaveti for Analog

Ariana Grande – “God is a Woman” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Fabrice Lagayette, Kristina Prilukova & Rebecca Rice for Mathematic

DJ Khaled ft. SZA – “Just Us” – We The Best/Epic Records – Visual Effects by Sergii Mashevskyi

LSD ft. Labrinth, Sia, Diplo – “No New Friends” – Columbia Records – Visual Effects by Ethan Chancer

Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco – “ME!” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Loris Paillier & Lucas Salton for BUF VFX

BEST EDITING

Anderson .Paak ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Tints” – Aftermath Ent/12 Tone Music – Editing by Elias Talbot

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Record – Editing by Calmatic

Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Editing by Billie Eilish

Ariana Grande – “7 Rings” – Republic Records – Editing by Hannah Lux Davis & Taylor Walsh

Solange – “Almeda” – Columbia Records – Editing by Solange Knowles, Vinnie Hobbs, Jonathon Proctor

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records – Editing by Jarrett Fijal

BEST ART DIRECTION

BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv” – Columbia Records – Art Direction by JinSil Park, BoNa Kim (MU:E)

Ariana Grande – “7 Rings” – Republic Records – Art Direction by John Richoux

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records – Art Direction by Itaru Dela Vegas

Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records – Art Direction by Tatiana Van Sauter

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records – Art Direction by Brittany Porter

Kanye West and Lil’ Pump ft. Adele Givens – “I Love It” – Warner Records & Def Jam Music Group – Art Direction by Tino Schaedler

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

FKA twigs – “Cellophane” – Young Turks – Choreography by Kelly Yvonne

ROSALÍA & J Balvin ft. El Guincho – “Con Altura” – Columbia Records – Choreography by Charm La’Donna

LSD ft. Labrinth, Sia, Diplo – “No New Friends” – Columbia Records – Choreography by Ryan Heffington

Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records – Choreography by Calvit Hodge, Sara Biv

Solange – “Almeda” – Columbia Records – Choreography by Maya Taylor, Solange Knowles

BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv” – Columbia Records – Choreography by Rie Hata

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Anderson .Paak ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Tints” – Aftermath Ent/12 Tone Music – Cinematography by Elias Talbot

Billie Eilish – “hostage” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Cinematography by Pau Castejon

Ariana Grande – “thank you, next” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Christopher Probst

Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records – Cinematography by Scott Cunningham

Solange – “Almeda” – Columbia Records – Cinematography by Chayse Irvin, Ryan Marie Helfant, Justin Hamilton

Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco – “ME!” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Starr Whitesides