It was clear from the start that hip-hop was going to rule the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards. The only question remaining was which artist would come out on top: Jay-Z, Outkast, or Usher? Well, they all ended up with shining moments, and there wasn’t really a true “big winner.”

Outkast won the biggest award, Best Video, for “Hey Ya,” which they performed to close the show. They also won for Best Hip-Hop Video, Best Art Direction and Best Special Effects.

Jay-Z’s “99 Problems,” which was originally banned from MTV, won Rap Video of the Year, and in the direction, cinematography, and editing categories.

Usher won Best Male Video and Best Dance Video, yet he forgot to thank director Little X AKA Mr. X.

Linkin Park were surprise winners in the Viewer’s Choice category. In weeks prior to the awards, Yellowcard offered fans a free DVD if they won, prompting thousands to vote repeatedly, yet evidently not enough.

Yellowcard fans did vote enough to earn the band the MTV2 Award for “Ocean Avenue.” Singer Ryan Key was clearly moved by the award, tearing throughout the acceptance speech.

There were few surprises. Mary-Kate Olsen made a surprise appearance with her sister and thanked fans for their support while she battled an eating disorder. “Thanks to everyone,” she said. “You’ve been very supportive over the past few weeks.”

Stevie Wonder made a surprise appearance with Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz, performing his hit “Higher Ground.”

The awards were held in Miami for the first time.

Complete list of winners:
Video of the Year: OutKast, “Hey Ya”
Male Video: Usher, featuring Lil’ Jon & Ludacris, “Yeah”
Female Video: Beyonce, “Naughty Girl”
Group Video: No Doubt, “It’s My Life”
Rap Video: Jay-Z, “99 Problems”
R &B Video: Alicia Keys, “If I Ain’t Got You”
Hip Hop Video: OutKast, “Hey Ya”
Dance Video: Usher, featuring Lil’ Jon and Ludacris, “Yeah”
Rock Video: Jet, “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?”
Pop Video: No Doubt, “It’s My Life”
New Artist Video: Maroon 5, “This Love”
Breakthrough Video: Franz Ferndinand ? “Take Me Out”
Direction: Jay-Z, “99 Problems.” Director: Mark Romanek
Choreography: Black Eyed Peas, “Hey Mama.” Choreographer: Fatima Robinson
Special Effects: OutKast, “Hey Ya.” Effects by: Elad Offer/Chris Eckardt/Money Shots. Director: Bryan Barber
Art Direction: OutKast, “Hey Ya.” Art Director: Eric Beauchamp
Editing: Jay?Z, “99 Problems.” Editor: Robert Duffy
Cinematography: Jay-Z, “99 Problems.” Director of Photography: Joaquin Baca-Asay
MTV2 Award: Yellowcard, “Ocean Avenue”
Viewers Choice: Linkin Park, “Breaking the Habit”
Soundtrack from a Video Game: “Tony Hawk’s Underground”

Check back tomorrow for a complete recap of the show with andPOP’s thoughts.






Related Stories: