26 Iconic VMA Performances You'll Remember Forever

In the midst of one of the craziest award shows of the year, let's remember the greats.

1. Britney Spears - "I'm A Slave 4 U," 2001 VMAs

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A true goddess walked among us that day, and still walks among us today. We were blessed with this snake performance, and the world WILL NEVER FORGET.

2. Justin Timberlake - Vanguard Award Performance, 2013

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In a single moment, the entire world collectively sobbed at the glorious reunion of NSYNC. And JT was serving dance moves for days.

3. Mariah Carey - "Shake It Off" / "We Belong Together," 2005

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Anthems of the year and the century, TBH.

4. Beyoncé - "Ring The Alarm," 2006

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Beyoncé *literally* fights the police in this performance. She gave tooth and nail to serve you desperate housewife realness.

5. Guns N’ Roses featuring Elton John - “November Rain,” 1992

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OK honestly just look at this collaboration. HONESTLY.

6. Lady Gaga - "Paparazzi," 2009

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Classic Gaga at her best. The voice, the costumes, the blood dripping from her eyes. EVERYTHING.

7. Shakira - "Hips Don't Lie," 2006

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The hips that launched a thousand ships and a thousand memes.

8. Britney Spears and NSYNC - "Baby One More Time" / "Tearin' Up My Heart," 1999

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This changed us all in a matter of minutes. Serving metallic pants, killer hair, and boy band outfits, Britney and the boys destroyed lives with this performance.

9. Drake - "Hold On, We're Going Home" / "Started From the Bottom," 2013

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Admit it, you cried from enjoyment and sexual frustration. YAAAS, AUBREY.

10. Christina Aguilera - "Come On Over" / "Livin' It Up," 2000

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The purple tips, the dance break, and Fred Durst? This is so '00s it hurts. It hurts sooooo good.

11. Pussycat Dolls - "When I Grow Up," 2008

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The day thousands of us went "Ohhhh, those lyrics are, 'I wanna have groupies.'"

12. Beyoncé - Vanguard Award Performance, 2014

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Beyoncé served her whole album in 15 minutes and reminded people there can only be one Queen Bey.

13. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora - “Livin’ On A Prayer” / “Wanted Dead Or Alive, 1989

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This is the epitome of rock and roll.

14. Sisqo - "Thong Song," 2000

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Petition for this song to be awarded "Song of the Millenium," anyone?

15. Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys - "Empire State of Mind," 2009

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A whole new generation of wannabe New Yorkers came from this performance.

16. R. Kelly - “Trapped in the Closet,” 2005

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This. Is. So. Important. R. Kelly does things his own way, and rocked thousands of people in one night.

17. Missy Elliot ft. Nelly Furtado, Ludacris, and Trina - "Get Ur Freak On," 2001

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The camouflage suit says it all.

18. Kanye West - "Love Lockdown," 2008

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Who doesn't remember screaming this at the top of their lungs?

19. Coldplay - "The Scientist," 2003

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JT's introduction says it all: one of the greatest bands in the world.

20. Rihanna - "Pon De Replay," 2005

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Baby Rihanna gave you everything she had and more.

21. Run-D.M.C. ft. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry - “Walk This Way," 1987

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Why don't we talk about this more? Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith? This is more than classic.

22. Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz - "Get Low," 2003

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If anything were to describe middle school dances, it would be this performance.

23. Green Day - "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," 2005

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This opening number choice was pure fire. A+, VMA people.

24. Kelly Clarkson - "Since U Been Gone," 2005

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Baby Kelly Clarkson is everything and the outfit is everything we still aspire for.

25. Fergie - "London Bridge," 2006

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Fergie changed the music scene with this song. Iconic times infinity.

26. Michael Jackson - Medley, 1995

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He was and always will be the King of Pop.