Jermaine Dupri Calls Out Lack Of Black Talent At 2025 MTV VMAs

Jermaine Dupri hit the MTV VMAs red carpet with big respect for legends like Mariah Carey and Busta Rhymes, but he didn’t shy away from pointing out what was missing—more Black artists on the main stage.

While Doja Cat delivered a standout performance and honorees Mariah and Busta received their flowers, Dupri echoed the sentiment flooding social media: the show didn’t showcase enough of the culture’s heavy-hitters.

“The VMAs is showing how Black people are being pushed out of the mainstream. They gave 12 random white people main stage slots and no Black artists…. And no, the legend tributes don’t count!,” wrote one fan on X.

The vmas is showing how black ppl are being pushed out of the mainstream. They gave 12 random white people main stage slots and no black artists…. And no the legend tributes dont count!

— Kayla Anice (@KaylaAnice) September 8, 2025

On the carpet, the So So Def mogul stressed how important it is to continue celebrating the artists who built MTV’s legacy. He even named a few he wants to see back on that stage: Beyoncé, Usher, and Chris Brown.
“I think all the Black artists, they need to come back, you know what I mean? That’s what I’m seeing a lack of in here tonight,” he said.

The night wasn’t without big wins—Mariah Carey took home the 2025 Vanguard Award, Busta Rhymes received the first-ever Rock The Bells Visionary Award, and Tyla secured a Moonman alongside Doja Cat. Still, fans and artists alike couldn’t help but question why more Black performers weren’t highlighted.

For Dupri, it all comes down to giving credit where it’s due: “Busta gave this station a lot of content nobody else was giving. That award was late.”