Taylor Swift won the top honor at MTV's annual Video Music Awards, music video of the year, with her 10-minute film for "All Too Well," a 2012 song she re-recorded to regain her rights following a dispute with her label. She also thrilled fans by announcing that her next album, "Midnights," will be released on October 21.

The Latin trap and reggaeton artist always believed he could become a top star "without changing my culture, my language," he said, accepting his MTV award via video. "I'm Benito Antonio Martinez from Puerto Rico — for the whole world." From New York's Yankee Stadium, a sold-out gig as part of his blockbuster tour, Bad Bunny also performed for the awards show his smash hit, "Titi Me Pregunto."

Introduced by cult stoner comedians Cheech and Chong, veteran rock stars Red Hot Chili Peppers were honored with the global icon award. The Peppers dedicated their honor to the late Taylor Hawkins, the Foo Fighters drummer who died in March at the age of 50. The Red Hot Chili Peppers also won the best rock video award.

Becoming the first female K-pop group to ever perform at the awards show, Blackpink's Jisoo, Lisa, Rose and Jennie offered a high-energy version their latest single, "Pink Venom." They also won two VMAs, best metaverse performance and best K-pop for Lisa's "Lalisa," pictured here.

The superstar arrived wearing an eye-catching Jean Paul Gaultier gown. Lizzo took home the Video for Good award, which honors videos with social or political messages, for her song "About Damn Time," which she performed on stage at MTV VMAs 2022, along with "2 Be Loved."

Known for his gender-fluid style, rapper Lil Nas X conquered the red carpet with a bold, sculptural outfit, created by fashion designer Harris Reed. Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow won the best collaboration prize for "Industry Baby." The video also picked up other awards, such as best art direction and best visual effects.

On stage, the hip hop superstar offered a medley of her hits, including "Super Bass" and her new single, "Super Freaky Girl." Nicki Minaj was also honored with the prestigious Video Vanguard award, which recognizes artists' outstanding contributions and strong impact on music video and popular culture.

Anitta offered a twerking performance of her global hit "Envolver," before becoming the first Brazilian to win the award for best Latin video. "Tonight I performed here a rhythm that in my country for many years was considered a crime," she said upon accepting the trophy. "I was born and raised in the ghetto of Brazil, and for whoever was born there, we would never think this was possible."

The Italian glam-rock band won best alternative video with their single "Supermodel." During their performance, lead singer Damiano David set the tone with his booty-baring "assless chaps." Later, bassist Victoria De Angelis' top fell down and exposed her breasts, but cameras cut away to empty seats during the TV broadcast, leading fans to criticize the double standards between genders.

In between commercial breaks, Johnny Depp made a series of surprise appearances at the ceremony, offering one-liners with his face digitally added to the helmet of the channel's mascot, the Moon Person, floating above the stage. "I needed the work," he said in his opening quip. The star's status is still controversial following his defamation trial (photo) against ex-wife Amber Heard.

Justin Bieber has sold his music publishing rights to Hipgnosis for a reported $200 million (€184 million), according to AFP. While music legends including Bob Dylan and Tina Turner have also cashed out on their catalogs, such deals are not as common with younger artists. But the 28-year-old Canadian pop star is among the best-selling artists ever, with hits including "Baby" and "Sorry."

Bob Dylan created waves when he sold his publishing rights to Universal Music in 2020 for a reported $400 million. In January 2022, he then went on to sell his entire master recordings to Sony Music for an undisclosed amount. Billboard said the recordings are worth over $200 million and yield $16 million in annual revenues.

Rock star Neil Young soon followed in Dylan's footsteps, selling the publishing rights to 50% of his catalog to investment fund Hipgnosis. Young's move stunned the music world. The Canadian-American musician had always vehemently opposed the use of his songs in advertising, for example, and wanted to keep his rights to avoid such exploitation. Will Hipgnosis be a trustworthy partner?

Since the Hipgnosis publishing company was founded in 2018, it has snapped up song rights across the musical spectrum. In addition to Neil Young, Blondie's Debbie Harry and Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks, Colombian pop singer Shakira has also sold 100% of her rights to Hipgnosis. The London-based company is already giving industry giants Universal and Co. a run for their money.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers also sold their publishing rights to Hipgnosis, signing a deal for around $140 million in May 2021. This includes hits such as "Under The Bridge," "Californication" and "Snow (Hey Oh)." With the coronavirus pandemic restricting musicians' income from performances, rights sales seem to be a growing trend.

Michael Jackson famously brought the song rights business to the fore in 1985 when he purchased the rights to 251 Beatles songs for $47.5 million (€40 million) — to the chagrin of Paul McCartney. Ironically, McCartney first gave Jackson the idea. The ex-Beatle had already lost the rights to his music in 1968 and has not been able to buy them back to this day. 

McCartney met Michael Jackson in the 1970s and they became friends. The two also talked about music rights, which awakened Jackson's business acumen. He started buying up catalogs — including those of the Beatles. The friendship with McCartney disintegrated but Jackson's fortune multiplied: 10 years later, he sold the Beatles' rights for $95 million.

Taylor Swift was only 15 years old when she signed her first recording contract. She also signed away her publishing rights, with her Big Machine label holding the rights to her first six albums in their entirety. A contract clause stipulated that the singer may re-record the first five albums after November 2020, which Swift did to regain her publishing rights.

Pink Floyd emerged victorious in a dispute over their rights in 2010. They sued their record company EMI after it wanted to sell individual Pink Floyd songs on the internet. When the band signed their contract in 1999, online song sales did not exist. Digital rights could not yet have been the subject of the contract, they argued. The court agreed with them.

Selling catalogs of rights is a way for ageing stars to secure their estate. Tina Turner, who has received 12 Grammy Awards and has been inducted twice into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame, has sold to BMG her share of her recordings' and writer's rights, as well as the rights related to her name, image and likeness. It's the music publishing company's "single largest artist acquisition ever."

Five decades of hits: Bruce Springsteen sold his entire catalog and music publishing rights to Sony Music in December 2021, in a deal estimated to be worth $500 million. But even after selling his rights, the Boss can further profit from his enduring popularity, as he remains one of the highest-earning musicians on tour.

Six years after David Bowie's death, his estate is also following the trend and has sold the publishing rights to the late musician's entire body of work. Warner Music is now the caretaker of the influential glam rock pioneer's hundreds of songs. His catalog includes hits such as "Space Oddity," "Changes," "Life on Mars?" and "Heroes." The deal is estimated to be upwards of $250 million.