The first VMAs wave is here — and INYIM artists are in it
The first round is up! MTV and CBS have unveiled the first major wave of performers for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, and this year’s stage is already mixing pop royalty, left-field electronic visionaries, new voices and a couple of artists very familiar to INYIM readers.
The ceremony airs live Sunday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT on CBS, simulcasts on MTV and streams live on Paramount+ Premium in the U.S. Snoop Dogg is hosting.
2026 MTV VMAs
The First Performer Wave Is Here
Madonna opens the show, while RAYE, LISA, SIENNA SPIRO and INYIM Certified Artists GENER8ION and Yung Lean are among the first performers announced.
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2026 MTV VMAs performers announced so far
- Madonna — Show Opener: The Queen of Pop will open the 2026 VMAs, marking her first live performance on the show in 23 years. She enters the night as the year’s most-nominated artist with 11 nods.
- GENER8ION + Yung Lean — World Premiere of “STORM II”: The pair will make their VMAs performance debut with the world premiere of “STORM II.” Both are INYIM Certified Artists, so yes, this one has our eyes immediately.
- LISA — “SaWaDiKa” TV Debut: LISA returns to the VMAs stage for the television debut of her new single “SaWaDiKa,” from her upcoming EP PRESS PLAY, due October 23.
- RAYE — VMAs Performance Debut: The two-time VMAs winner makes her first performance appearance on the show this year. She is also nominated twice, including Song of the Year for “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”
- SIENNA SPIRO — VMAs Performance Debut: The first-time nominee will make her performance debut while also competing for Best New Artist.
- Gunna — Performance Appearance: Gunna is also confirmed among the first wave of performers announced for this year’s ceremony.
For us, the extra little spark is seeing GENER8ION and Yung Lean move from an INYIM favorite visual collaboration into the VMAs spotlight. We already featured their seven-minute STORM visual earlier this year, and now they are bringing the next chapter, “STORM II,” to television for its world premiere performance.
2026 VMAs appearances and hosting announced so far
- Snoop Dogg — Host: Snoop Dogg will host the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
- Presenters: MTV has not yet announced the presenter lineup.
- Special guests: Additional special guests have not yet been revealed.
MTV says more performers, presenters and special guests will be announced next week, so this is the full announced lineup as of September 18 — not the final roll call.
2026 MTV VMAs first performer lineup announcement
The first performer wave includes Madonna, GENER8ION, Yung Lean, LISA, RAYE, SIENNA SPIRO and Gunna, with more names still to come.
Source: MTV and CBS.
