The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards extravaganza at Radio City Hall in New York witnessed Beyonce Knowles' "Single Ladies" winning the MTV award, known as Moonman, for the Best Video of the year. Britney Spears won the Best Pop Video, Green Day won the Best Rock Video and Eminem won the Hip Hop, while the flamboyant Lady Gaga was picked for the Best New Artist Award.
Madonna opened the evening extravaganza by commemorating "one of the greatest talents the world has ever known", Michael Jackson, who "didn't just make you want to dance, but actually made you believe you could fly". But after praising Jackson, Madonna sounded a darker note, saying she felt many failed to go to his help when his life began to fall apart amid health problems, a fading career, and child abuse allegations. She finally said, "Long live the king!" Following it, Janet Jackson recreated the dance moves from her only video made with her brother, "Scream".
Video Of The Year Award was won by Beyoncé Knowles for "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)", directed by Jake Nava. Best Choreography (choreography by Jaquel Knight & Frank Gatson Jr.) and Best Editing (edited by Jarrett Fijal) Awards also went to Beyonce’s Single Ladies.
Lady Gaga won the Best New Artist Award for "Poker Face", directed by Ray Kay. Best Art Direction Award ("Paparazzi", Art Direction by Jason Hamilton), and Best Special Effects ("Paparazzi", Special Effects by Chimney Pot) also went to Lady Gaga.
Eminem won the Best Hip-Hop Video Award for "We Made You", directed by Joseph Kahn.
T.I. and Rihanna won the Best Male Video Award for "Live Your Life", directed by Anthony Mandler -- the entire video for "Live Your Life" was shot in a memento-like reverse chronological order.
Britney Spears bagged the Best Pop Video Award for "Womanizer", directed by Joseph Kahn.
Best Rock Video Award went to Green Day for "21 Guns", directed by Marc Webb. Best Cinematography (cinematography by Jonathan Sela) and Best Direction (Marc Webb) Awards were also bagged by Green Day for "21 Guns."
The Best Female Video Award was won by Taylor Swift for "You Belong With Me" (directed by Roman White).
The Best Video Award went to Beastie Boys for "Sabotage" directed by Spike Jonze.
Matt and Kim won the Breakthrough Video Award for "Lessons Learned", directed by Taylor Cohen & Otto Arsenault.
The teen country music star Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video Award was interrupted when rapper Kanye West crashed the stage and grabbed her microphone to tell the hall that he favoured Beyonce's video. However, Beyonce later made up for the incident by inviting Swift to share the stage during her own award triumph.
However, it was Michael Jackson, who died aged 50 on June 25, who received the most accolades, with host Russell Brand and award winners lining up to pay tributes to The King of Pop.
