MTV awards 2025 - a tale of two 50s

[viewing ownly]

Two iconic artists in their 50s performed separately, Ricky Martin and Mariah Carey. I know two Ricky Martin songs, and he played them both. I know lots of Mariah songs, and I didn't recognize a single tune she sung in her medley. 

Ricky looked genuinely unbelievable. Not since Pat Boone showed up at a different awards show over thirty years ago looking pumped and unreal have I been so blown away by a singer's physique when I least expected it. He looks like a personal trainer, with biceps on top of biceps. Good for him wearing a sleeveless outfit to be admired. Mariah on the other hand wore a body-hugging outfit which was just fine, but today she could pass as Beyonce's body double. She walked around the stage the whole time, with dancers being over-energetic around her, but no intricate sudden movements were coming from her. Evidently, she was never a winner of an award before the career recognition tonight. I remember that when she was new, MTV avoided playing her first song completely, "Vision of Love". They never played "Please Don't Go Girl" by New Kids on the Block, either. 

Stephen Tyler gave it his all in a tribute to Ozzy. Ariana Grande was the big winner. She very likely is the most humble superstar musician out there. Her music isn't my taste, but I appreciate a down-to-Earth attitude when far too many entertainers only care about how much other people care about them.

Busta Rhymes got a rap icon award, which when I gave it deeper thought based on the theme of the evening - NO POLITICS - he's about the oldest guy I could come up with that isn't known for justifiable combative subject matter like Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Ice-T, Public Enemy, and so many other rap acts in their time. However, I know just that "Whoo Haah" song like so many other white men from his era, and he didn't perform that.