EXCLUSIVE: <\/strong>Hip-hop icon, rapper and actor Busta Rhymes, whom MTV has called \u201cone of\u00a0hip-hop\u2019s\u00a0greatest visual artists\u201d, will receive the inaugural MTV VMA, Rock the Bells Visionary Award. The award, which will celebrate his \u201cboundary-breaking cultural impact and indomitable musical career,\u201d will be presented to Rhymes during the 2025 VMAs on Sunday, Sept. 7. Rhymes also will perform live during the telecast.<\/p>\n Rhymes has sold 20 million albums worldwide, received seven Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200, 12 Grammy Award nominations and has a catalog with over 60 million records certified gold and platinum. He was also the Global Icon honoree at the 2024 MTV \u201cEMAs.\u201d<\/p>\n More from Deadline<\/strong><\/p>\n The rapper first appeared on the VMAs in 1997, and has since performed numerous times, including a show-stopping medley of greatest hits to close the 2021 show.<\/p>\n Hosted by LL Cool J, the VMAs will air live from New York\u2019s UBS Arena\u00a0Sunday, Sept. 7\u00a0at 8 PM ET\/5 PM PT on CBS for the first time, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.<\/p>\n Lady Gaga<\/a>\u00a0leads the 2025 field with a dozen noms, followed by\u00a0Bruno Mars<\/a>\u00a0with 11 and\u00a0Kendrick Lamar<\/a>\u00a0with 10. They\u2019re the only performers in the double digits, and this marks the third year that Gaga has led all nominees.<\/p>\n Ros\u00e9\u00a0and\u00a0Sabrina Carpenter are next with\u00a0eight each, followed by\u00a0Ariana Grande\u00a0and The Weeknd\u00a0(seven),\u00a0Billie Eilish\u00a0(six) and\u00a0Charli xcx\u00a0(five),\u00a0Bad Bunny, Doechii,\u00a0Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll,\u00a0Miley Cyrus\u00a0and Tate McRae\u00a0have four each<\/p>\n The 2025 VMAs are produced by Gunpowder & Sky. Bruce Gillmer, Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic, and Barb Bialkowski are executive producers. Alicia Portugal is co-executive producer. Jackie Barba is executive in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is executive in charge of music talent.<\/p>\n