By Tyesha Litz pictures from http://lifebeat.org/
Last night at Terminal 5 Robin Thicke and special guest Macklemore put on a great concert for a very important cause. The event was part of MTV’s pre-VMA concert series and a benefit for Lifebeat a non-profit organization for HIV/AIDS awareness. Lifebeat uses music to educate young people about HIV/AIDS prevention. This message is increasingly imperative with 1000 young Americans ages 13-24 becoming infected every month. Fans came out in the hundreds to support their favorite VMA nominees and this significant cause.
First Macklemore and producer Ryan Lewis took the stage. Macklemore is tied for most VMA nominations with Justin Timberlake with an impressive 6 nominations in all. Macklemore preformed his chart topping hits “Can’t Hold Us” and “Thrift Shop” to a fist pumping crowd expressing how surreal is to be going to the VMAs this year, when just last year he was watching them from home. The most meaningful moment of the evening came when Macklemore spoke out in support of marriage equality calling it the one of most important civil rights issues being faced today before performing “Same Love” with singer Mary Lambert. In the song Macklemore not only support for same sex marriage but addresses homophobia in Hip-Hip music. Its very easy to see why his debut album The Heist is still topping the charts.
Headliner Robin Thicke started off his performance with his certified smash hit “Blurred Lines”. Thicke is nominated for three VMAs for the “Blurred Lines” video. Later Thicke spoke to the crowd about having been in the music business for 20 years and getting his first number 1 hit this year, advised them all to never stop following their dreams. Thicke went on to perform songs form all his previous albums “Spooter” “Dreamworld” “Lost Without You” and “Wanna Love You Girl”. Saving the best for last Thicke closed the show with a cover of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” much to the joy of every lady there, myself included. I’m guessing Thicke brings all 3 VMAs home. The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from Brooklyn on August 25th at 9 p.m be sure to tune in.
Best Hip-Hop Video
J. Cole feat. Miguel – “Power Trip”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton – “Can’t Hold Us”
Drake – “Started From The Bottom”
Kendrick Lamar – “Swimming Pools”
A$AP Rocky feat. Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar – “F**kin Problems”
Best Male Video
Kendrick Lamar – “Swimming Pools”
Justin Timberlake – “Mirrors”
Robin Thicke feat. T.I. and Pharrell – “Blurred Lines”
Bruno Mars – “Locked Out of Heaven”
Ed Sheeran – “Lego House”
Best Female Video
Demi Lovato – “Heart Attack”
Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko – “Stay”
Taylor Swift – “I Knew You Were Trouble”
Miley Cyrus – “We Can’t Stop”
P!nk feat. Nate Ruess – “Just Give Me A Reason”
Best Pop Video
Selena Gomez – “Come and Get It”
Bruno Mars – “Locked Out of Heaven”
Justin Timberlake – “Mirrors”
fun. – “Carry On”
Miley Cyrus – “We Can’t Stop”
Artist To Watch Presented by Taco Bell
Twenty One Pilots – “Holding On To You”
Zedd Feat. Foxes – “Clarity”
Austin Mahone – “What About Love”
The Weeknd – “Wicked Games”
Iggy Azalea – “Work”
Video Of The Year
Justin Timberlake – “Mirrors”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz – “Thrift Shop”
Bruno Mars – “Locked Out of Heaven”
Robin Thicke feat. T.I. and Pharrell – “Blurred Lines”
Taylor Swift – “I Knew You Were Trouble”
