1998 MTV Video Music Awards

{{Infobox award

| name = 1998 MTV Video Music Awards

| image = MTV VMA 1998 logo.svg

| date = Thursday, September 10, 1998

| location = Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles

| country = United States

| host = Ben Stiller

| most_awards = Madonna (6)

| most_nominations = Madonna (9)

| network = MTV

| producer = Salli Frattini

| director = Beth McCarthy

| previous = 1997

| main = {{nowrap|MTV Video Music Awards}}

| next = 1999

}}

The 1998 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on September 10, 1998, honoring the best music videos from June 17, 1997, to June 12, 1998. The show was hosted by Ben Stiller at Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.

Madonna was the most successful winner and nominee of the night, winning six awards out of a total nine nominations: five (out of eight) for "Ray of Light", including Video of the Year and Best Female Video, and one for "Frozen" (its only nomination). Other than Madonna, only Will Smith and The Prodigy won multiple awards that night, winning two apiece.

With regard to nominations, the two biggest nominees aside from Madonna were alt-rock band Garbage and rapper Will Smith. Smith split his nominations between two videos: "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" (five) and "Just the Two of Us" (one), each of which earned a Moonman. In contrast, Garbage received all eight nominations for "Push It" but went home completely empty-handed at the end of the night.

The mesh dress that actress Rose McGowan wore to the award show was the subject of much media attention following the awards. The dress went on to become one of the most iconic and controversial outfits in the history of the VMA's.{{cite news |last1=Hills |first1=Megan C. |title=Rose McGowan explains why her 'naked dress' defied Harvey Weinstein |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/style/rose-mcgowan-vma-dress-harvey-weinstein-political-statement-i-weigh-jameela-jamil-a4131501.html |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=Evening Standard |date=27 June 2019 |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Heron-Langton |first1=Jessica |title=10 times celebrities ripped up the red carpet rule book |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/47680/1/10-times-celebrities-offbeat-fashion-red-carpet-grammys-lana-del-rey-celine-dion |website=Dazed |access-date=27 July 2020 |language=en |date=28 January 2020}}

Background

After four consecutive ceremonies in New York City, and after lobbying from the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission and the Entertainment Industry Development Corporation, MTV announced on April 9 that the 1998 Video Music Awards would be held in Los Angeles.{{cite news |title=MTV Awards to Be Broadcast From L.A. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106902273/the-los-angeles-times/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 10, 1998 |via=Newspapers.com}} Nominees were announced at a press conference hosted by Courtney Love, Mayor Richard Riordan, and MTV president Judy McGrath on July 14.{{cite news |title=Garbage trails Madonna in award nominations |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106907703/chicago-tribune/ |work=Chicago Tribune |date=July 15, 1998 |via=Newspapers.com}} Ben Stiller was announced as the host on August 13.{{cite news |title=Ben Stiller to host MTV Video Music Awards |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106907787/republican-and-herald/ |work=Republican Herald |agency=Associated Press |date=August 13, 1998 |via=Newspapers.com}} The ceremony broadcast was preceded by the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards Opening Act. Hosted by Kurt Loder and Serena Altschul with reports from Chris Connelly, John Norris, and Rebecca Romijn, the broadcast featured red carpet interviews, pre-taped interviews with Madonna and Hole, a preview of the music video for Madonna's "The Power of Good-Bye," and performances from Usher and Barenaked Ladies.

In the weeks before the awards ceremony, MTV "hacked" its own website intentionally and graffitied the words "JF Was Here" across the page,{{cite news | url=https://www.cnet.com/news/mtv-hack-backfires/| title=MTV "hack" backfires| publisher=CNet | date=September 9, 1998}} at the same time that the British hacker JF was under investigation by Scotland Yard for the milw0rm hacktivist attacks.{{cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/1998/09/14914 |title=MTV Cries 'Hacked!' |work=Wired |date=September 9, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107204722/http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/1998/09/14914 |archive-date=November 7, 2009 |url-status=live |access-date=July 10, 2009 |df=mdy }} Hundreds of pages hosted on MTV.com sported the new JF logo, including one page that read, "JF was here, greets to milw0rm".{{cite news | url=http://antionline.com/SpecialReports/mtv/opinion.html | title=AntiOnline's Editorial Coverage Of The MTV Site "Hack" ?| publisher=AntiOnline | date=September 1998 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/19981205104829/http://antionline.com/SpecialReports/mtv/opinion.html |archive-date = December 5, 1998}} MTV later confirmed that the alleged JF "hack" was a publicity stunt to promote the appearance of a commentator named Johnny Fame at their upcoming awards show. Many were puzzled by the apparent hack committed by JF since the hacker was "known for relatively high ethical standards."

Performances

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ List of musical performances
scope="col" \| Artist(s) ! scope="col" \| Song(s)
colspan="2" \| Pre-show
Usher \| "My Way"
Barenaked Ladies \| "One Week" Video of the Year Medley{{cite web\|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425376/19980911/barenaked_ladies.jhtml?paid=2432 \|title = News - Articles - 1425376 - 19980911 \|access-date=2007-07-25 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218014006/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425376/19980911/barenaked_ladies.jhtml?paid=2432 \|archive-date=February 18, 2009 }} "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" "The Boy Is Mine" "It's All About the Benjamins (Rock Remix)" "Bitter Sweet Symphony" "Ray of Light"
colspan="2" \| Main show
Madonna \| "Shanti/Ashtangi" "Ray of Light" (featuring Lenny Kravitz)
Pras Ol' Dirty Bastard Mýa Wyclef Jean Canibus \| "Gone Till November" (Wyclef Jean and Canibus only) "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)"
Hole \| "Celebrity Skin" (with an excerpt from R.E.M.'s "Pretty Persuasion")
Master P Fiend Silkk Tha Shocker Mystikal Mia X) \| "Make 'Em Say Uhh!"
Backstreet Boys \| "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)"
Beastie Boys \| "Three MC's and One DJ" "Intergalactic"
Brandy Monica \| "The Boy Is Mine"
Dave Matthews Band \| "Stay (Wasting Time)"
Marilyn Manson \| "The Dope Show"
Brian Setzer Orchestra \| "Jump Jive an' Wail"

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ List of musical performances

scope="col" | Artist(s)

! scope="col" | Song(s)

colspan="2" | Pre-show

Usher

| "My Way"

Barenaked Ladies

| "One Week"

Video of the Year Medley{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425376/19980911/barenaked_ladies.jhtml?paid=2432 |title = News - Articles - 1425376 - 19980911 |access-date=2007-07-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218014006/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425376/19980911/barenaked_ladies.jhtml?paid=2432 |archive-date=February 18, 2009 }}

"Gettin' Jiggy wit It"
"The Boy Is Mine"
"It's All About the Benjamins (Rock Remix)"
"Bitter Sweet Symphony"
"Ray of Light"

colspan="2" | Main show

Madonna

| "Shanti/Ashtangi"
"Ray of Light" (featuring Lenny Kravitz)

Pras
Ol' Dirty Bastard
Mýa
Wyclef Jean
Canibus

| "Gone Till November" (Wyclef Jean and Canibus only)
"Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)"

Hole

| "Celebrity Skin" (with an excerpt from R.E.M.'s "Pretty Persuasion")

Master P
Fiend
Silkk Tha Shocker
Mystikal
Mia X)

| "Make 'Em Say Uhh!"

Backstreet Boys

| "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)"

Beastie Boys

| "Three MC's and One DJ"
"Intergalactic"

Brandy
Monica

| "The Boy Is Mine"

Dave Matthews Band

| "Stay (Wasting Time)"

Marilyn Manson

| "The Dope Show"

Brian Setzer Orchestra

| "Jump Jive an' Wail"

Presenters

=Pre-show=

Kurt Loder and Serena Altschul – presented the professional categories
John Norris and Serena Altschul – presented Best Dance Video and Breakthrough Video

=Main show=

Andy Dick and the Backstreet Boys – appeared in the opening skit
Jerry Stiller – made a special appearance during the opening monologue
Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey – presented Best Male Video
Chris Rock – appeared in a taped vignette discussing "security measures" at the event
Rupert Everett and Salma Hayek – presented Best Group Video
Tyra Banks – introduced Pras, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Mýa, Wyclef Jean and Canibus
Johnny Gomez and Nick Diamond (from Celebrity Deathmatch) – appeared in vignettes about the Viewer's Choice award
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Hanson – presented Best New Artist in a Video
Rob Thomas – introduced Hole
Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan – presented Best Video from a Film
Jada Pinkett Smith and Maxwell – presented Best Alternative Video
Shaquille O'Neal – introduced Master P
Will Smith and Tatyana Ali – presented Best Female Video
Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa – introduced the Backstreet Boys
Jack Black and Puff Daddy – appeared in a parody skit of FANatic
Jennifer Love Hewitt and Mase – presented Best Direction in a Video
Sarah McLachlan and Natalie Imbruglia – introduced the International Viewer's Choice Awards winners
Tori Amos and Beck – presented Best Rap Video
Usher – introduced Brandy and Monica
Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and David Spade – presented Viewer's Choice
Chuck D – presented the Video Vanguard Award
Matt Stone and Trey Parker – introduced the Dave Matthews Band
Jennifer Lopez and Mark Wahlberg – presented Best R&B Video
Lenny Kravitz and Gwen Stefani – presented Best Rock Video
Geri Halliwell – presented Video of the Year
Busta Rhymes and the Flipmode Squad – introduced the Brian Setzer Orchestra

Winners and nominees

Winners are in bold text.

style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Video of the Year ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Male Video
class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
valign="top" \| Madonna – "Ray of Light" Brandy and Monica – "The Boy Is Mine" Puff Daddy and the Family (featuring The LOX, Lil' Kim, The Notorious B.I.G. and Fuzzbubble) – "It's All About the Benjamins (Rock Remix)" Will Smith – "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" The Verve – "Bitter Sweet Symphony" \| valign="top" \| Will Smith – "Just the Two of Us" David Bowie (featuring Trent Reznor) – "I'm Afraid of Americans (Nine Inch Nails remix)" Busta Rhymes – "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" Eric Clapton – "My Father's Eyes" Brian McKnight – "Anytime"
style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Female Video ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Group Video
valign="top" \| Madonna – "Ray of Light" Fiona Apple – "Criminal" Mariah Carey (featuring Puff Daddy and the Family) – "Honey (Bad Boy remix)" Natalie Imbruglia – "Torn" Shania Twain – "You're Still the One" \| valign="top" \| Backstreet Boys – "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" Garbage – "Push It" Matchbox 20 – "3 A.M." Radiohead – "Karma Police" The Verve – "Bitter Sweet Symphony"
style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best New Artist in a Video ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Rock Video
valign="top" \| Natalie Imbruglia – "Torn" Cherry Poppin' Daddies – "Zoot Suit Riot" Chumbawamba – "Tubthumping" Fastball – "The Way" Mase – "Feel So Good" \| valign="top" \| Aerosmith – "Pink" Foo Fighters – "Everlong" Dave Matthews Band – "Don't Drink the Water" Metallica – "The Unforgiven II"
style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best R&B Video ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Rap Video
valign="top" \| Wyclef Jean (featuring Refugee Allstars) – "Gone Till November" Brandy and Monica – "The Boy Is Mine" K-Ci & JoJo – "All My Life" Usher – "You Make Me Wanna" \| valign="top" \| Will Smith – "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" Busta Rhymes – "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" Master P (featuring Fiend, Silkk the Shocker, Mia X and Mystikal) – "Make 'Em Say Uhh!" The Notorious B.I.G. (featuring Puff Daddy and Mase) – "Mo Money Mo Problems" Pras (featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard and Mýa) – "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)"
style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Dance Video ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Alternative Video
valign="top" \| The Prodigy – "Smack My Bitch Up" Backstreet Boys – "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" Janet Jackson – "Together Again" Madonna – "Ray of Light" Will Smith – "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" \| valign="top" \| Green Day – "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" Ben Folds Five – "Brick" Garbage – "Push It" Radiohead – "Karma Police" The Verve – "Bitter Sweet Symphony"
style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Video from a Film ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Breakthrough Video
valign="top" \| *Aerosmith – "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (from Armageddon)* Beck – "Deadweight" (from A Life Less Ordinary) Celine Dion – "My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from Titanic)" (from Titanic) Goo Goo Dolls – "Iris" (from City of Angels) Pras (featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard and Mýa) – "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are) " (from Bulworth) Puff Daddy (featuring Jimmy Page) – "Come with Me" (from Godzilla) \| valign="top" \| The Prodigy – "Smack My Bitch Up" Busta Rhymes – "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" Garbage – "Push It" Sean Lennon – "Home" Madonna – "Ray of Light" Roni Size/Reprazent – "Brown Paper Bag"
style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Direction in a Video ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Choreography in a Video
valign="top" \| Madonna – "Ray of Light" (Director: Jonas Åkerlund) Garbage – "Push It" (Director: Andrea Giacobbe) Wyclef Jean (featuring Refugee Allstars) – "Gone Till November" (Director: Francis Lawrence) The Prodigy – "Smack My Bitch Up" (Director: Jonas Åkerlund) Radiohead – "Karma Police" (Director: Jonathan Glazer) \| valign="top" \| Madonna – "Ray of Light" (Choreographers: Madonna and Jonas Åkerlund) Busta Rhymes – "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" (Choreographer: Fatima Robinson) Wyclef Jean (featuring Refugee Allstars) – "We Trying to Stay Alive" (Choreographers: Henry and Crazy Legs) Will Smith – "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" (Choreographer: Stretch)
style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Special Effects in a Video ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Art Direction in a Video
valign="top" \| Madonna – "Frozen" (Special Effects: Steve Murgatroyd, Dan Williams, Steve Hiam, and Anthony Walsham) Aerosmith – "Pink" (Special Effects: Kevin Yagher) Aphex Twin – "Come to Daddy" (Special Effects: Chris Cunningham, Glassworks, Red, and Creature FX) Foo Fighters – "Everlong" (Special Effects: Paul Sokol and Chris W.) Garbage – "Push It" (Special Effects: Sebasten Caudron) \| valign="top" \| Björk – "Bachelorette" (Art Director: Samantha Gore) Death in Vegas – "Dirt" (Art Director: Andrea Giacobbe) Foo Fighters – "Everlong" (Art Director: Bill Lakoss) Garbage – "Push It" (Art Director: Virginia Lee)
style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Editing in a Video ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Best Cinematography in a Video
valign="top" \| Madonna – "Ray of Light" (Editor: Jonas Åkerlund) Aerosmith – "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (Editor: Chris Hafner) Garbage – "Push It" (Editor: Sylvain Connat) The Prodigy – "Smack My Bitch Up" (Editor: Jonas Åkerlund) \| valign="top" \| Fiona Apple – "Criminal" (Director of Photography: Harris Savides) Garbage – "Push It" (Director of Photography: Max Malkin) Madonna – "Ray of Light" (Director of Photography: Henrik Halvarsson) Dave Matthews Band – "Don't Drink the Water" (Director of Photography: Checco Varese) Radiohead – "Karma Police" (Director of Photography: Stephen Keith-Roach)
style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| Viewer's Choice ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| International Viewer's Choice: MTV Asia
valign="top" \| Puff Daddy and the Family (featuring The LOX, Lil' Kim, The Notorious B.I.G. and Fuzzbubble) – "It's All About the Benjamins (Rock Remix)" Celine Dion – "My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from Titanic)" Green Day – "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" Matchbox 20 – "3 A.M." Will Smith – "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" \| valign="top" \| Chrisye – "Kala Cinta Menggoda" H.O.T. – "We Are the Future" Innuendo – "Belaian Jiwa" Kulay – "Shout" Nicole Theriault – "Kapolo"
style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| International Viewer's Choice: MTV Australia ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| International Viewer's Choice: MTV Brasil
valign="top" \| Kylie Minogue – "Did It Again"[https://web.archive.org/web/19991012050006/http://www.mtv.com.au/awards/98vma/ausnoms/ausnom.html MTV - Logo Competition] Grinspoon – "Just Ace" Natalie Imbruglia – "Torn" Robyn Loau – "Sick with Love" Regurgitator – "Black Bugs" Screamfeeder – "Hi C's" Silverchair – "Cemetery" \| valign="top" \| Racionais MC's – "Diário de um Detento" Fernanda Abreu – "Jack Soul Brasileiro" Barão Vermelho – "Puro Êxtase" Biquini Cavadão – "Janaína" Charlie Brown Jr. – "Proibida pra Mim" Cidade Negra – "Realidade Virtual" Claudinho e Buchecha – "Quero te Encontrar" Daúde – "Pata Pata" Engenheiros do Hawaii – "A Montanha" Gabriel o Pensador – "Cachimbo da Paz" Ira! – "Eu Não Sei (Can't Explain)" Jota Quest – "Onibusfobia" Maskavo Roots – "Djorous" Os Paralamas do Sucesso – "Ela Disse Adeus" Pato Fu – "Antes Que Seja Tarde" Planet Hemp – "Adoled (The Ocean)" Raimundos – "Andar na Pedra" O Rappa – "Vapor Barato" Lulu Santos – "Hyperconectividade" Soulfly – "Bleed"[http://vmb.mtv.uol.com.br/videos/1998/vmb-1998-escolha-da-audiencia UOL - O melhor conteúdo] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331070524/http://vmb.mtv.uol.com.br/videos/1998/vmb-1998-escolha-da-audiencia \|date=March 31, 2012 }}
style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| International Viewer's Choice: MTV India ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| International Viewer's Choice: MTV Japan
valign="top" \| Lata Mangeshkar and Udit Narayan – "Dil To Pagal Hai" Abhijeet – "Main Koi Aisa Geet" Asha Bhosle – "Janam Samjha Karo" Kamaal Khan – "O Oh Jaane Jana" A. R. Rahman – "Maa Tujhe Salaam" \| valign="top" \| hide with Spread Beaver – "Pink Spider" Blankey Jet City – "Akai Tanbarin" Luna Sea – "Storm" Puffy – "Ai no Shirushi" Shikao Suga – "Story"
style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| International Viewer's Choice: MTV Latin America (North) ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| International Viewer's Choice: MTV Latin America (South)
valign="top" \| Molotov – "Gimme Tha Power" Aterciopelados – "Cosita Seria" Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas – "Jugo" La Ley – "Fotofobia" Plastilina Mosh – "Mr. P. Mosh" \| valign="top" \| Molotov – "Gimme Tha Power" Andrés Calamaro – "Loco" Los Fabulosos Cadillacs – "Calaveras y Diablitos" Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas – "Jugo" Turf – "Casanova"
style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \| International Viewer's Choice: MTV Mandarin ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" \|
valign="top" \| Coco Lee – "Di Da Di" Black Biscuits – "Stamina" Karen Mok – "He Doesn't Love Me" Na Ying – "Conquer" Power Station – "Cruel Love Letter" David Tao – "Beside the Airport"
style="background:#EEDD82; width=50%" colspan="2" \| Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award
colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" \| Beastie Boys

Artists with multiple wins and nominations

class="wikitable" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" \|+ Artists who received multiple awards
scope="col" style="width:55px;" \|Wins ! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" \|Artist
style="text-align:center" \|6 \| Madonna
rowspan="4" style="text-align:center" \|2 \| Aerosmith
Molotov
The Prodigy
Will Smith

class="wikitable" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"

|+ Artists who received multiple awards

scope="col" style="width:55px;" |Wins

! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" |Artist

style="text-align:center" |6

| Madonna

rowspan="4" style="text-align:center" |2

scope="col" style="width:55px;" \|Nominations ! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" \|Artist
class="wikitable" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" \|+ Artists who received multiple nominations
style="text-align:center" \|9 \| Madonna
style="text-align:center" \|8 \| Garbage
style="text-align:center" \|6 \| Will Smith
rowspan="4" style="text-align:center" \|4 \| Aerosmith
Busta Rhymes
Radiohead
The Prodigy
rowspan="6" style="text-align:center" \|3 \| Foo Fighters
Natalie Imbruglia
Puff Daddy
The Notorious B.I.G.
The Verve
Wyclef Jean
rowspan="17" style="text-align:center" \|2 \| Backstreet Boys
Brandy
Celine Dion
Dave Matthews Band
Fiona Apple
Fuzzbubble
Green Day
Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas
Lil' Kim
Mase
Matchbox 20
Molotov
Monica
Mýa
Ol' Dirty Bastard
Pras
The LOX

References

External links

[https://www.mtv.com Official MTV site]

1998

MTV Video Music Awards

Category:1998 in Los Angeles