Let's get this out of the way. We all know that MTV doesn't play music videos. The “M” on their logo became just a meaningless symbol when MTV abandoned music for a full roster of cheaply produced reality shows. But this still doesn't mean that the MTV's Video Music Awards is without importance. We think.

Last night, as I stood on the “white carpet” outside the Nokia Theater, it became painfully evident that all rules in mainstream music have been thrown out the window. Not in that good way. Pop music is dance music. Rappers collaborate with 16 year-old Canadians. Rock and roll is made by actors. And above all, a guy from Jersey with famous abs commands more audience approval than any of these “artists” combined.

Like looking at a double rainbow, we have to wonder: What does this all mean?

Are these videos the best we've got? Judge for yourself.

We've compiled this year's winners alongside some lists of past winners. Drawing any conclusions about the state of music today? Let us know in the comments.

Video of the Year

Best Female video

Best Pop Video

Best Editing

Best Dance Video

Best choreography

Best Direction

Lady Gaga – Bad Romance

Best Male Video

Best Hip Hop Video

Eminem – Not Afraid

Best New Artist

Justin Bieber -f/Ludacris Baby

Best Rock Video

30 Seconds To Mars- Kings and Queens

Best Collaboration

Lady Gaga feat. Beyoncé – Telephone

Best Art Direction

Florence + the Machine – Dog Days Are Over

Best Cinematography

Jay-Z and Alicia Keyes- Empire State of Mind

Best Special Effects

Muse -Uprising

Breakthrough Video

The Black Keys – Tighten Up

Past Winners:

Video of the Year

* Beyonce “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” (2009)

* Britney Spears “Piece Of Me” (2008)

* Rihanna f/ Jay-Z “Umbrella” (2007)

* Panic! At The Disco “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” (2006)

* Green Day “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (2005)

* OutKast “Hey Ya” (2004)

* Missy Elliott “Work It” (2003)

* Eminem “Without Me” (2002)

* Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya & Pink f/ Missy Elliott “Lady Marmalade” (2001)

* Eminem “The Real Slim Shady” (2000)

* Lauryn Hill “Doo Wop (That Thing)” (1999)

* Madonna “Ray of Light” (1998)

* Jamiroquai “Virtual Insanity” (1997)

* The Smashing Pumpkins “Tonight, Tonight” (1996)

* TLC “Waterfalls” (1995)

* Aerosmith “Cryin'” (1994)

* Pearl Jam “Jeremy” (1993)

* Van Halen “Right Now” (1992)

* R.E.M. “Losing My Religion” (1991)

* Sinead O'Connor “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990)

* Neil Young “This Note's For You” (1989)

* INXS “Need You Tonight/Mediate” (1988)

* Peter Gabriel “Sledgehammer” (1987)

* Dire Straights “Money for Nothing” (1986)

* Don Henley “Boys of Summer” (1985)

* The Cars “You Might Think” (1984)

Best Art Direction

* Lady Gaga “Paparazzi” (2009)

* Gnarls Barkley “Run” (2008)

* Red Hot Chili Peppers “Dani California” (2006)

* Gwen Stefani “What You Waiting For?” (2005)

* OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2004)

* Radiohead “There There” (2003)

* Coldplay “Trouble” (2002)

* Fatboy Slim “Weapon of Choice” (2001)

* Red Hot Chili Peppers “Californication” (2000)

* Lauryn Hill “Doo Wop (That Thing)” (1999)

* Bjork “Bachelorette” (1998)

* Beck “The New Pollution” (1997)

* The Smashing Pumpkins “Tonight, Tonight” (1996)

* Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson “Scream” (1995)

* Nirvana “Heart-Shaped Box” (1994)

* Madonna “Rain” (1993)

* Red Hot Chili Peppers “Give It Away” (1992)

* R.E.M. “Losing My Religion” (1991)

* The B-52's “Love Shack” (1990)

* Madonna “Express Yourself” (1989)

* Squeeze “Hourglass” (1988)

* Peter Gabriel “Sledgehammer” (1987)

* ZZ Top “Rough Boy” (1986)

* Don Henley “The Boys of Summer” (1985)

* Herbie Hancock “Rockit” (1984)

Best Direction

* Green Day “21 Guns” (2009)

* Erykah Badu “Honey” (2008)

* Justin Timberlake “What Goes Around…Comes Around” (2007)

* Gnarls Barkley “Crazy” (2006)

* Green Day “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (2005)

* Jay-Z “99 Problems” (2004)

* Coldplay “The Scientist” (2003)

* Eminem “Without Me” (2002)

* Fatboy Slim “Weapon of Choice” (2001)

* Red Hot Chili Peppers “Californication” (2000)

* Fatboy Slim “Praise You” (1999)

* Madonna “Ray Of Light” (1998)

* Beck “The New Pollution” (1997)

* The Smashing Pumpkins “Tonight, Tonight” (1996)

* Weezer “Buddy Holly” (1995)

* R.E.M. “Everybody Hurts” (1994)

* Pearl Jam “Jeremy” (1993)

* Van Halen “Right Now” (1992)

* R.E.M. “Losing My Religion” (1991)

* Madonna “Vogue” (1990)

* Madonna “Express Yourself” (1989)

* George Michael “Father Figure” (1988)

* Peter Gabriel “Sledgehammer” (1987)

* a-ha “Take On Me” (1986)

* Don Henley “The Boys of Summer” (1985)

* ZZ Top “Sharp Dressed Man” (1984)

Best Female Video

* Taylor Swift “You Belong With Me” (2009)

* Britney Spears “Piece Of Me” (2008)

* Kelly Clarkson “Because of You” (2006)

* Kelly Clarkson “Since U Been Gone” (2005)

* Beyonce “Naughty Girl” (2004)

* Beyonce f/ Jay-Z “Crazy In Love” (2003)

* Pink “Get The Party Started” (2002)

* Eve f/ Gwen Stefani “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” (2001)

* Aaliyah “Try Again” (2000)

* Lauryn Hill “Doo Wop (That Thing)” (1999)

* Madonna “Ray Of Light” (1998)

* Jewel “You Were Meant For Me” (1997)

* Alanis Morissette “Ironic” (1996)

* Madonna “Take A Bow” (1995)

* Janet Jackson “If” (1994)

* k. d. lang “Constant Craving” (1993)

* Annie Lennox “Why” (1992)

* Janet Jackson “Love Will Never Do Without You” (1991)

* Sinead O'Connor “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990)

* Paula Abdul “Straight Up” (1989)

* Suzanne Vega “Luka” (1988)

* Madonna “Papa Don't Preach” (1987)

* Whitney Houston “How Will I Know?” (1986)

* Tina Turner “What's Love Got To Do With It” (1985)

* Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” (1984)

Best Male Video

* T.I. f/ Rihanna “Live Your Life” (2009)

* Chris Brown “With You” (2008)

* James Blunt “You're Beautiful” (2006)

* Kanye West “Jesus Walks” (2005)

* Usherf/ Lil Jon & Ludacris “Yeah!” (2004)

* Justin Timberlake “Cry Me A River” (2003)

* Eminem “Without Me” (2002)

* Moby f/ Gwen Stefani “South Side” (2001)

* Eminem “The Real Slim Shady” (2000)

* Will Smith “Miami” (1999)

* Will Smith “Just The Two Of Us” (1998)

* Beck “Devil's Haircut” (1997)

* Beck “Where It's At” (1996)

* Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers “You Don't Know How It Feels” (1995)

* Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers “Mary Jane's Last Dance” (1994)

* Lenny Kravitz “Are You Gonna Go My Way” (1993)

* Eric Clapton “Tears In Heaven” (1992)

* Chris Isaak “Wicked Game” (1991)

* Don Henley “The End Of The Innocence” (1990)

* Elvis Costello “Veronica” (1989)

* Prince “U Got The Look” (1988)

* Peter Gabriel “Sledgehammer” (1987)

* Robert Palmer “Addicted To Love” (1986)

* Bruce Springsteen “I'm On Fire” (1985)

* David Bowie “China Girl” (1984)

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