Diddy Returns To MTV VMAs With Epic Throwback Medley — Watch Video

By Andy Swift
Diddy VMAs 2023 Performance Video MTV screenshot

It was a good night to be a Bad Boy at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, with Diddy formally achieving Global Icon status during Tuesday's live broadcast.

"Tonight, we celebrate this man that y'all know as Diddy, and even love sometimes, but I'm here to celebrate my big brother Puffy Daddy as he receives the MTV Global Icon Award," Mary J. Blige said as she took the stage to honor her friend. "This man has always been an icon. ... So many of the most memorable songs of the past 30 years have been because of this man right here."

Diddy then emerged for an iconic medley of his greatest hits, including bits of songs like "I'll Be Missing You," "Last Night" and "Mo Money Mo Problems." He was joined by several surprise guests, including the legendary Faith Evans.

Watch footage of Diddy's performance via the tweet below, which we'll replace with an official video if/when it becomes available:

Following Diddy's performance, Blige invited his oldest daughter on stage to help present her father with the Global Icon Award.

Diddy has taken home two VMAs in his career: Best R&B Video for "I'll Be Missing You" in 1997, and Viewer's Choice for "It's All About the Benjamins" (Rock Remix) in 1998. He has been nominated for four other awards, including Video of the Year in 1998 and Best Rap Video in 2002.

A VMA fixture for decades, both as a winner and a performer, Diddy even hosted the show in 2005. Of course, the music mogul's long history with MTV extends far beyond the VMAs. Let us not forget his days as producer of Making the Band, a fruitful experiment that blessed us with Danity Kane.

Of course, Diddy was just one major performer at Tuesday's VMAs, which also featured highly anticipated performances from Anitta, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Demi Lovato, DMC, Doja Cat, Doug E. Fresh, Fall Out Boy, Future, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Karol G, Kelsea Ballerini, Lil Wayne, LL Cool J, Måneskin, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Shakira, Stray Kids, and Tomorrow X Together.

Hosted by Minaj, this year's VMAs were broadcast live from Newark, N.J.'s Prudential Center. Frontrunner Taylor Swift entered the ceremony with 11 nominations, followed by SZA in second with six nods, plus five for Minaj, Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Kim Petras, Miley Cyrus and Sam Smith.

Hit PLAY on the video above to watch Diddy's VMA performance, then grade it via our poll below and drop a comment with your full review.

Recommended