Busta Rhymesis paying respect to a trailblazer.

As the 53-year-old accepted the inaugural MTV Rock the Bells Visionary Award during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at the UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. Sept. 7, he shouted out late MTV VJ Ananda Lewis, who died in June following a battle with breast cancer.

“I want to thank and I think we all need to acknowledge the incredible woman that loved us very much when we came to MTV during the ‘90s,” Rhymes (real name Trevor George Smith Jr.) said during his acceptance speech. “An incredible woman that loved me and she loved us. She loved the culture, she lifted us up.”

He added, “I love her very much. I miss her very much. The late, great, incredible, royal empress Ananda Lewis.”

The rapper also acknowledged the former Total Request Live host’s family, saying, “I want to big up her mother, her father, her sister, Lakshmi.”

Rhymes—who, like Latin Icon Award recipient Ricky Martin did earlier in the evening, performed a medley of his hit songs before receiving his trophy—paid respect to the awards ceremony’s host LL Cool J, too. 

“Thank you for being my hero,” he said after accepting the award from the NCIS: Los Angeles star. “One of my greatest inspirations. The reason I wrote my first rhyme.”

In addition to those that have helped him throughout his music career, the “Break Ya Neck” rapper also gave some love to his family. 

“I want to thank my mother,” he shared. “I want to thank my father. Rest in peace, dad. All praises due to the most high. God is the greatest. I want to thank my beautiful children.”

Following his list of gratitude, Rhymes ended on a final celebratory note, shouting, “The blessings don't stop, so we don't stop, baby!”

Read on for more celebs who showed up and showed out at the 2025 MTV VMAs. 

In Marc Jacobs.

In custom Valentino.

In custom Fendi and Swarovski jewelry.

In Balmain.

In Ralph Lauren.

In Erik Charlotte.

In Helen Anthony.

In Schiaparelli.

In vintage Chanel.

In custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin.

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