2025 MTV VMAs Winners List: Sombr, Tate McRae Among Early Winners

In a surprise red carpet ceremony, emerging musician Sombr was presented with the first VMA of the night for Best Alternative Video for his song “Back to Friends.” Mistaking the moment for a joke at first, he soon regained his poise and expressed gratitude to his family and fans. This early win foreshadowed an evening full of unexpected turns, including Tate McRae’s victory in the Song of the Summer category for “Just Keep Watching.”

Nominees this year represented a remarkably broad spectrum of genres and performers, underscoring the eclectic and international character of contemporary music. Heavy-hitters like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and The Weeknd contended for Artist of the Year, while Video of the Year featured acclaimed clips from Ariana Grande and Kendrick Lamar. The awards also celebrated newcomers and niche genres, with categories spanning Best New Artist, Best Pop, Best Hip-Hop, and honors dedicated to K-Pop, Afrobeats, rock, and country.

Behind-the-scenes excellence was also in the spotlight, with nominations in creative and technical fields such as Best Direction, Cinematography, Editing, and Visual Effects. Ambitious videos from Charli XCX and Lady Gaga were among those recognized for their artistic vision. As media analyst Dr. Lena Sharma notes, “The rising production quality in music videos signals a shift toward more cinematic, narrative-driven content, allowing artists to connect with audiences on a deeper, more immersive level.”

Album of the Year saw strong showings from both veterans and breakthrough acts, with Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, and The Weeknd all in contention. The inclusion of the Video for Good category highlighted music’s power as a vehicle for social change, honoring impactful releases like Burna Boy’s “Higher” and Eminem’s collaboration with Jelly Roll.

Closing out the highlights, the Song of the Summer award celebrated the season’s most streamed and culturally pervasive tracks, from Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” to Tate McRae’s winning “Just Keep Watching.” With nominees ranging from K-Pop sensation Stray Kids to Afrobeats innovator Tems, the category reinforced the global reach of today’s pop landscape and the VMAs’ commitment to honoring worldwide musical phenomena.