2010 Video Music Awards Performances by Eminem, Bieber, Kanye and More

Eminem breaks open the 2010 MTV VMA Awards Show.
Eminem opened the 2010 VMA show with Not Afraid but transitioned to Love the Way You Lie and was joined by Rihanna in a surprise performance. Rihanna and Eminem's appearance practically blew up Twitter and remained a hot topic throughout the show. The biggest disappointment was that Eminem had to leave for a concert date immediately following his show-opening performance.

Justin Bieber's VMA performance.
Justin Bieber was introduced by Kim Kardashian . He was followed by a throng as he arrived at the theater and performed outside. He added an old school look to his performance of Baby. The choreography was upbeat and amazing, especially as Bieber transitioned into Somebody to Love. Bieber then took to the drums as fans continued to scream and swoon.

Usher rocks the house during MTV VMAs.
Usher gave an electrifying performance that relied heavily on high tech green lights. He had the crowd roaring as he performed DJ Got Us Fallin in Love Again. The stage was then flooded with red techno lights as he performed OMG. It was also a high tech, high energy performance that had the crowd entranced.

Florence and the Machine's entrancing 2010 VMA performance.
Florence and the Machine performed Dog Days are Over, changing the pace of the VMA performances. Up to her performance there was a lot of tight choreography and technology. Florence and the Machine offered a completely different performance accentuated by flowing and chanting dancers. It slowed down the whole flow of the VMA show.

Taylor Swift debuts song at 2010 VMA Awards.
Taylor Swift debuted a new song, said to be directed at Kanye for his interruption of her award acceptance last year. She did a beautiful job playing and singing. (I never could catch the name of the song and could not find it online immediately following her performance.) Her look was classic Hollywood style with bright red lipstick. Taylor Swift is not the same shy little girl who accepted her award last year at the VMAs.

Drake at the 2010 MTV VMAs.
Drake was welcomed warmly to his first VMA performance. He came to the stage with Swizz Feat and Mary J. Blige. Following Florence and the Machine and Taylor Swift Drake's performance brought the beak back up, but the performance sounded off. There was too much going on and it didn't seem like a well polished performance, but he made it through You Fancy, Huh? for his first VMA performance. He should not have put himself up against Mary J. Blige because she put him to shame.

Paramore's Hayley Williams joins B.o.B. to perform for the 2010 VMAs.
These professionals pulled off a strong performance including a mixture of songs as individuals and combining their efforts on Airplanes. This is the performance that got the 2010 MTV VMA awards back on track with exceptional performances. Awesome job by B.o.B. and Hayley Williams.

Linkin Park brought a rousing performance to the 2010 VMA award shows.
Linkin Park was on top of their game for their performance. Sound, rhythm, lighting all came together blending with the talented band who brought an electrifying rock performance.

Kanye West's was the most anticipated performance of the night.
Kanye West dressed in red and black and his song was bleak. He did okay, but he wasn't on his top performance for the VMA finale. He performed Love Lockdown. I'm not sure why there were ballerinas on stage with him, or why he mixed his voice beyond recognition. Kanye West is on his way to washing himself up.

There were some exceptional performances on the 2010 MTV VMAs, but it was not one of the best shows ever. It certainly did not live up to its billing. The show, including, Chelsea Handler as host was somewhat disappointing.

Sources:
MTV Video Music Awards aired live, 9-11pm. 9/12/2010.