The annual MTV Video Music Awards is set to take over New York in over a week (September 7), as the cream of the musical crop congregates under the roof of the UBS Arena for what, in previous years, has been an awards show full of surprises, drama and the odd tree climbing.
This year sees Lady Gaga lead the nominations with 12 nods to her name, closely followed by her one-time collaborator Bruno Mars with 11 and Kendrick Lamar with 10, but all three could break records on the evening, one of which perhaps not the record they want to break too.
VegasInsider has collected a list of all the records that could be broken at the upcoming ceremony, and we’ve selected the 16 artists who could break, extend, or tie some significant records that have been held, in some cases, for several years.
7. Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter is nominated to become the first artist to win the Song of the Year award twice. Her win in 2024 for 'Espresso' and her nomination in 2025 mean a win would also make her the first artist to win the category consecutively. | Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
8. Green Day
As a group, Green Day could tie R.E.M. as the most awarded music group in the history of the VMAs. R.E.M. has 12 wins, while Green Day has 11 and is nominated for one more award in 2025. | Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for FIREAID
9. J Balvin
J Balvin is poised to become the sole record holder for the most wins in the Best Latin Video category. He is currently tied with Anita with three wins each, and a win in 2025 would give him his fourth and break the tie. | Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
10. Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish is nominated for two different record-breaking achievements. She could become the first artist to ever win the Song Of The Year category twice, following her 2022 win for 'Happier Than Ever.' She also has the chance to break out of a tie with John Legend and Big Sean to become the sole record holder for the most wins in the Video For Good category, with a potential third win. | Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Live Nation
11. Ariana Grande
With her 2025 nomination for 'Brighter Days Ahead,' Grande could extend her own record as the most nominated female artist for Video Of The Year without a win. Additionally, a win for 'Brighter Days Ahead' in the Best Pop category would give her a third win in that category, tying her with Britney Spears and Taylor Swift for the most wins. | PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
12. Eminem
Eminem could extend his already impressive record as the most awarded male artist in VMA history. With 15 previous wins and three more nominations in 2025, he has the chance to further solidify his place at the top. His record is also at risk of being tied or broken by Kendrick Lamar, who has a significant number of nominations in 2025. | Getty Images