Outkast, Jay-Z Dominate Tame MTV Awards

The MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday featured the requisite appearances by big celebrities and performances by top musical acts but ultimately suffered from a major lack of spontaneity. Perhaps still nervous about the negative attention the network reaped after Janet Jackson's performance at MTV's Super Bowl halftime show, producers used a tape delay on Sunday's show and eliminated the risqué material—no half-naked Howard Stern, no Courtney Love bumrushing the broadcast booth, no lesbian kisses between Madonna and Britney Spears.

Hip-hop and teen pop dominated the evening as guests arrived at the Miami location in yachts and boats. Celebrity appearances included numerous sister duos—Simpson, Duff, Olsen and the daughters of presidential candidate John Kerry and President George W. Bush. Notably absent were Spears and Justin Timberlake.

Surprise and spontaneity were hard to find during the three-hour broadcast. Jay-Z, who won four awards for the video for his song "99 Problems," quipped about the problems he encountered when MTV originally refused to air the clip. During his acceptance speech, the rapper sniped, "That was my punishment and this is my reward." Later, Marilyn Manson accompanied a visibly uncomfortable Mandy Moore and joked about their "love child." Moments like these were the exception in a presentation that managed to make even the normally outrageous Dave Chappelle seem stiff.

The evening's performances added little excitement. Jet, Hoobastank and Yellowcard performed snippets of their songs in a group medley. Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz and Stevie Wonder performed Wonder's "Higher Ground." Kanye West stormed through bits of his songs, including "Jesus Walks" and "Through the Wires," with a very flat-sounding Chaka Khan.

Even Outkast, who won four awards, including Video of the Year for "Hey Ya!," appeared unenthusiastic. The duo closed the show with a lackluster performance of the song, which seemed to bore even frontman Andre 3000, who muttered, "Here's 'Hey Ya!' for the millionth time."

THE 2004 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARD WINNERS
Video of the Year Outkast, "Hey Ya!"
Best Male Video Usher (featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris), "Yeah!"
Best Female Video Beyoncé, "Naughty Girl"
Best Group Video No Doubt, "It's My Life"
Best Rap Video Jay-Z, "99 Problems"
Best R&B; Video Alicia Keys, "If I Ain't Got You"
Best Hip-Hop Video Outkast, "Hey Ya!"
Best Dance Video Usher (featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris), "Yeah!"
Best Rock Video Jet, "Are You Gonna Be My Girl"
Best Pop Video No Doubt, "It's My Life"
Best New Artist Maroon 5, "This Love"
MTV2 Award Yellowcard, "Ocean Avenue"
Best Choreography Black Eyed Peas, "Hey Mama"
Breakthrough Video Franz Ferdinand, "Take Me Out"
Best Direction Jay-Z, "99 Problems" (directed by Mark Romanek)
Best Special Effects Outkast, "Hey Ya!"
Best Art Direction Outkast, "Hey Ya!"
Best Editing Jay-Z, "99 Problems"
Best Cinematography Jay-Z, "99 Problems"
Best Soundtrack From a Video Game Tony Hawk's Underground
Viewer's Choice Linkin Park, "Breaking the Habit"