This year’s ceremony will take a new and unique approach in contrast from the traditional “host” gig seen in previous years, like in 2021, which saw Doja Cat hosting and taking us to space with a sizzling live performance of “Been Like This” and “You Right” in a medley at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

This year, the hip-hop trio on deck have plenty of history on the stage they’ll be emceeing from. After his iconic duet performance of “Industry Baby” with Lil Nas X last year, Harlow is slated to debut his first solo VMA performance on the main stage this year. The rapper leads in nominations with seven nods this year (tied with LNX and Kendrick Lamar), including two of the night’s most coveted awards, Video of the Year and Artist of the Year. He was first nominated at the VMAs in 2020 for PUSH New Artist and Song of the Summer, where he also performed “Whats Poppin” during the pre-show.