Busta Rhymes Manny Carabel/Getty Images for MTV Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment Busta Rhymes gave a memorable performance of several of his hit songs before he accepted the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday. Joined onstage by dancers dressed in red, Rhymes gave a memorable, high-energy performance that included his hits "Gimme Some More," "Scenario," "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" and "Pass the Courvoisier, Part II." He was also joined by Joyner Lucas, Papoose and GloRilla as they helped perform several of the songs with him. After he performed the songs, Rhymes took a moment to talk to the crowd while accepting the Visionary Award. "I know I usually do these long speeches. I'm not gonna do one today," he began. "But next time y'all take 35 years to give me one of these, they're gonna let me talk as long as I want." Related Stories Music Rosé Wins Song of the Year at 2025 VMAs: "I Dedicate This to My 16-Year-Old Self" Music Doja Cat Brings the '80s Back by Performing "Jealous Type" With Kenny G at 2025 MTV VMAs Rhymes thanked his friend LL Cool J, who presented him with the award, before he paid tribute to Ananda Lewis. The former MTV VJ and TV show host died after a battle with stage 4 breast cancer at age 52 in June. "I want to thank, and I think we all need to acknowledge, the incredible woman that loved us very much when we came to MTV during the '90s," he said. "An incredible woman that loved me and she loved us. She loved the culture very much. I miss her very much. The late, great, incredible Royal Empress, Ananda Lewis." Rhymes then gave shout-outs to Lewis' family members before he thanked the crowd one final time for the award. Busta Rhymes performs at the 2025 MTV #vmas pic.twitter.com/uNvab0fxu8- The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 8, 2025 Prior to the awards show, MTV announced that the award celebrated his "boundary-breaking cultural impact and indomitable musical career." Rhymes made his VMAs debut in 1997. He has gone on to perform several times at the awards show, including a memorable medley of greatest hits that closed out the 2021 show. Additionally, he has been nominated for 16 awards at the show over the years. However, the 2025 VMAs marked the first time he's accepted a Moon Person trophy. The 2025 VMAs took place at New York's UBS Arena. LL Cool J served as the event's host. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up VMAs 2025 Doja Cat Brings the '80s Back by Performing "Jealous Type" With Kenny G at 2025 MTV VMAs VMAs 2025 Ricky Martin Performs "Livin' La Vida Loca" and Accepts Latin Icon Award at 2025 MTV VMAs: "We Just Want to Break Boundaries" VMAs 2025 MTV VMAs: Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande and More Stars on the Red Carpet Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen Gives Performance, Symposium For 50 Years of 'Born to Run' VMAs 2025 2025 MTV Video Music Awards Preshow: Watch the Livestream Rose Bowl Oasis Bring Hits - And Tears - At First L.A. Show Since 2008 VMAs 2025 Doja Cat Brings the '80s Back by Performing "Jealous Type" With Kenny G at 2025 MTV VMAs VMAs 2025 Ricky Martin Performs "Livin' La Vida Loca" and Accepts Latin Icon Award at 2025 MTV VMAs: "We Just Want to Break Boundaries" VMAs 2025 MTV VMAs: Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande and More Stars on the Red Carpet Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen Gives Performance, Symposium For 50 Years of 'Born to Run' VMAs 2025 2025 MTV Video Music Awards Preshow: Watch the Livestream Rose Bowl Oasis Bring Hits - And Tears - At First L.A. Show Since 2008