Busta Rhymes proved his legendary hip hop status during his set at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.

With his hype man Spliff Star, the New York native took over the stage in a fiery all-red leather ensemble ahead of making history and becoming the first-ever recipient of the Rock the Bells Visionary Award at the VMAs on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Busta went all out and performed “Pass the Courvoisier Part II,” a rendition of “Touch It (Remix)” and “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” among other of his greatest hits, including “Scenario,” the song from A Tribe Called Quest that introduced him in 1992.

Rappers Joyner Lucas, Papoose and GloRilla joined him on stage.

GloRilla and Busta Rhymes perform onstage during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, New York.

Busta Rhymes accepts inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award

The 53-year-old is celebrated for his otherworldly visual contributions to hip hop culture and the music landscape. When presenting the award, VMAs host and fellow emcee LL Cool J described Busta’s music videos as “borderline alien warping our reality.”

When accepting his golden moonperson statue, Busta credited LL Cool J as being the “reason I wrote my first rhyme.” He also made a light-hearted joke during his speech: “Next time y’all take 35 years to give me one of these …”

The Rock the Bells Visionary Award marks his first-ever VMA. Somewhat unbelievably, Sunday’s Video Vanguard Award was also Mariah Carey’s first VMA, a slight she didn’t let pass unnoticed. “What the Sam Hell were you waiting for?” she asked as the crowd cheered in support.

The pop girlies were the stars of the 2025 MTV VMAs red carpet, but the one and only, Mariah Carey, reminded the industry who’s been here since Day 1.

Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, Doja Cat and Ricky Martin, stepped out in New York on Sept. 7 to celebrate the biggest names in music.

Here are the best photos from the night, starting with Carey performing after receiving the 2025 MTV Video Music Vanguard Award.

Sabrina Carpenter

Cody Alan

MTV VMAs must-see moments from the red carpet to the awards show including Mariah Carey

1 of 105

The pop girlies were the stars of the 2025 MTV VMAs red carpet, but the one and only, Mariah Carey, reminded the industry who’s been here since Day 1.

Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, Doja Cat and Ricky Martin, stepped out in New York on Sept. 7 to celebrate the biggest names in music.

Here are the best photos from the night, starting with Carey performing after receiving the 2025 MTV Video Music Vanguard Award.

Busta Rhymes champions late MTV VJ Ananda Lewis

Busta kept his remarks short and heartfelt, thanking his family and also taking the time to honor Ananda Lewis, the former MTV VJ who died earlier this year after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.

“The incredible woman that loved us very much when we came to MTV during the ’90s, the incredible woman that loved me,” he said during his speech. “She loved us, she loved the culture, she lifted us up. I love her very much. I miss her very much.”

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Busta Rhymes receives first MTV VMA, jokes it took ’35 years’