The MTV Video Music Awards has returned to Newark, and for the first time, only women are nominated in the show's artist of the year category. Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj, Karol G and Shakira are contenders for the night's prize.

The event began at 8 p.m., with host Nicki Minaj. Last year, she emceed alongside Lil Wayne and Jack Harlow; this year, she's solo.

The show also celebrated 50 years of hip-hop with a star-studded, multi-generational finale performance: DMC, Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, LL Cool J and Minaj will join forces.

Lil Wayne emerged to open the awards with a performance of his new single “Kat Food.” Immediately afterward, Olivia Rodrigo brought her “Vampire” music video set to the stage, before launching into her cheeky pop-punk single “Get Him Back!”

Tuesday's show offered plenty of surprises in its opening moments, with the boy band NSYNC reuniting on the stage to present the first award for best pop video, which went to Taylor Swift.

In coordinating suits, Justin Timberlake, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, Chris Kirkpatrick, and JC Chasez shared the stage with Swift. Bass handed Swift a friendship bracelet just as fans do at the superstar's shows. “You’re pop personified," she told the group.

She returned to the stage later in the show's first hour to pick up the song of the year trophy for “Anti-Hero.”

The live sets were many: Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion brought “Bongos” to life with big choreography; Demi Lovato played a rock ‘n’ roll medley of her biggest hits: “Heartattack,” into “Sorry Not Sorry,” “Cool for the Summer” before the best K-pop award was given to Stray Kids.

Doja Cat played a medley of new songs from her forthcoming album, “Scarlet”, which takes aim at fame and the parasocial relationships it inspires — “Attention, “Paint the Two Red,” and “Demons” — surrounded by dancers painted red.

9 a.m. (9/12 – show day) to approximately 1 a.m. (9/13)