1997 MTV Video Music Awards presenter Chris Rock
The 1997 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on September 4, 1997, honoring the best music videos from June 17, 1996, to June 16, 1997. The show was hosted by Chris Rock at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.American singer Beck took home the most Moonmen of the night, winning a total of five awards. British acid jazz band Jamiroquai closely followed, though, taking home four awards, including the coveted Video of the Year prize. The only other multiple winner that night was British dance outfit The Prodigy, which took home both the American and European Viewer's Choice awards – making them the first act in VMA history to win two Viewer's Choice awards in the same year.
As for nominations, Jamiroquai dominated the field with a total of ten nominations for their video for "Virtual Insanity." In second place was Beck, who received a total of seven mentions: five for "The New Pollution" and two for "Devils Haircut." Lastly, Nine Inch Nails came in third with five nominations for "The Perfect Drug." Unlike Beck and Jamiroquai, though, Nine Inch Nails went home empty-handed that night.
host anchor emcee moderator facilitator