LL Cool J is returning to the VMAs stage to host the 2025 MTV VMAs. The rapper previously cohosted the 2022 awards show with Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow. He also was the first rapper to receive the Video Vanguard Award in 1997.

LL COOL J will host the 2025 VMAs, which will air live from New York’s UBS Arena on Sept. 7. This will be his first time as the show's solo host.

LOS ANGELES — LL Cool J has snagged wins, co-hosted and performed atop the MTV Video Music Awards stage. Now, the Grammy-winning rapper-actor-author is going solo to host the 2025 awards ceremony. He’s retaking the stage, this time without Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow, with whom he co-hosted in 2022 , the VMAs announced Thursday.