OutKast, Jay-Z triumph at MTV Video Music Awards

OutKast, Jay-Z triumph at MTV Video Music Awards

MUMBAI: Miami was sizzling Sunday night as celebrities made a splash on the red carpet and on stage at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). OutKast and Jay-Z topped the list of winners with four Moon Men each.

The event aired live on MTV US on 29 August at 8 pm.

OutKast was recognised for the track Hey Ya. It won for Video of the Year, Hip Hop Video, Special Effects in a Video, and Art Direction in a Video. Jay-Z won four Moon Men for 99 Problems.

The night started with celebrities arriving by yacht for the first time ever in the awards show history. Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony had their official "coming out" as a married couple as they arrived by yacht and paraded the red carpet.

For the opening act, Usher stepped out of the rain, to sing his hit single Confessions and then went into an energetic performance of Yeah. He was surrounded by people descending from the rafters and flying and jumping to the beat working the nearly 13,000 audience members into a frenzy!

Another key moment was rapper turned actor Will Smith Ali flying onto the stage to introduce basketball team Miami Heat's newest member Shaquille O'Neal. There was a digital reveal of a 40 foot tall O'Neal.

At the show it was also announced that MTV, working through the Red Cross, would be making a significant contribution to aid the people of northern Florida. The area had recently been hit by Hurricane Charley. John Kerry and George Bush's daughters who made the announcement also encouraged the crowd to get out and vote in the upcoming November elections.

A unique angle to the show came courtesy a rock in the round performance. A battle of the bands took place on three different stages with Jet, Hoobstank, and Yellowcard.