A stacked slate of artists lit up MTV's 40th annual Video Music Awards on Sunday, returning in full force to Brooklyn's Barclays Center after last year's scaled-back pandemic show.

The 2021 VMAs - a show known more for ostentatious performances, made-for-Twitter moments and wild costumes than the actual awards - was back with its signature elaborate performances before a masked, full audience after a 2020 show that saw many celebrities accept prizes via video stream.

The show opened with a pre-taped clip from none other than Madonna, who made VMA history at the 1984 inaugural show with a show-stopping performance of Like A Virgin, which kicked off the show's reign as a platform for headline-grabbing antics.

"They said we wouldn't last, but we're still here," she said after strutting onto the stage, dropping an expletive while wearing a dominatrix-esque black leather thong corset.

"Happy 40th, MTV."

Lil Nas X scored the night's top award, Video of the Year, for Montero (Call Me by Your Name) not long after a sensual performance just days before his album is set for release on 17 September.