The 2025 MTV VMAs weren’t just a pop spectacle—country and rap artists also claimed major victories in genre-specific categories.
In the newly introduced Best Country category, Megan Moroney took home the moonman for her heartfelt single “Am I Okay?”, outpacing top names like Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, and Lainey Wilson.
Rap icons were celebrated with special legacy honors. Legendary rapper Busta Rhymes received the first-ever Rock the Bells Visionary Award, recognizing his enduring influence on hip-hop culture. Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar held a powerful presence across categories, winning multiple technical and creative awards for “Not Like Us” in the Best Hip-Hop field.
These wins spotlight the expanding scope of the VMAs. Introducing Best Country acknowledged the genre’s crossover appeal, while honoring rap trailblazers like Busta Rhymes and Kendrick Lamar with legacy and technical awards reaffirmed hip-hop’s cultural weight on the VMA stage.
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