September 6, 2001 The 2001 MTV Video Music Awards aired live, honoring the best music videos from June 10, 2000, to June 8, 2001. The show was hosted by Jamie Foxx at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. DID YOU KNOW: Aaliyah was due to present an award at the ceremony.
Highlights of the show include Michael Jackson making an appearance after a performance by pop boy band N'SYNC, as well as a performance by Britney Spears with a Python snake.
The show also featured memorials for Aaliyah (which was introduced by Janet Jackson) and Joey Ramone.
Many of the night's winners dedicated awards to the two fallen musicians over the course of the telecast. Jay Z's performance, he is seen wearing a BULLS jersey (sporting the number of her favorite basketball player) with Aaliyah's name on his upper left shoulder.
For this event ceremony, Aaliyah was not nominated or won any awards but the outpour of love for her absence was felt.
