Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice” shot up the competition by bringing home six “Moon Man” trophies – including breakthrough video and best direction – Thursday night during the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center.
But “Weapon of Choice,” directed by Spike Jonze and featuring Christopher Walken dancing up a hotel’s walls, was shut out of the prestigious video of the year prize, which went to Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya and Pink for “Lady Marmalade.”
Last year’s big winners ‘N Sync walked away with four trophies for “Pop,” including the coveted Viewer’s Choice Award, group video and pop video. The boy group also nabbed dance video, beating out Fatboy Slim, Janet Jackson’s “All For You,” Jennifer Lopez’s “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” and “Lady Marmalade.”
‘N Sync was also privy to the evening’s biggest surprise: During the boy group’s performance of “Pop,” King of Pop Michael Jackson burst onto the stage and showed the audience that he can still dance.
The “Moulin Rouge” girls – Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya and Pink – took home their second win for best video from a film for “Lady Marmalade.”
Fatboy Slim, aka Norman Cook, picked up all six awards in the professional categories, including choreography, art direction, editing and cinematography, five of which were announced during the pre-telecast. In the best direction field, “Weapon of Choice” won over Eminem’s “Stan” directed by the rapper’s mentor Dr. Dre and Philip Atwell; Linkin Park’s “Crawling,” directed by the Brothers Strause; Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson,” directed by F. Gary Gray; and R.E.M.’s “Imitation of Life,” directed by Garth Jennings.
Surprisingly shut out of the awards was Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott for “Get Ur Freak On,” which was nominated for six awards, and Eminem and super rock group U2, who tied with five nominations each. U2, however, did not leave empty handed: The veteran rock band was honored with the Video Vanguard Award for its “outstanding contribution to the music video medium,” which they gave to Marky Ramone.
Moby’s “South Side” featuring No Doubt frontwoman Gwen Stefani won the coveted male video prize, beating out Eminem’s “Stan,” Lenny Kravitz’s “Again,” Nelly’s “Ride Wit Me” and Robbie Williams’ “Rock DJ.” Williams did pick up a professional award for best special effects in a video.
Stefani was the good luck charm of the evening. Eve’s “Let Me Blow Ya Mind,” which also features Stefani, picked up the female video Moon Man, topping Dido, Elliott, Janet Jackson and Lopez. Eve and Stefani took the stage together to accept the award. Eve gushed: “This is so crazy, thank you! Record labels, stylists, makeup – thank you!”
Clive Davis protege Alicia Keys won the new artist in a video award for “Fallin’ ” over Coldplay’s “Yellow,” Nikka Costa’s “Like a Feather,” David Gray’s “Babylon” and Sum 41’s “Fat Lip.”
Nelly took home the rap video award for “Ride Wit Me,” beating tough competition from Ja Rule featuring Lil’ Mo & Vita, Jay-Z, Eminem and Snoop Dogg featuring Nate Dogg, Master P, Butch Cassidy & Tha Eastsidaz.
In the hip-hop category, Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson” took home the Moon Man, topping Eve, City High, Elliott and Eminem.
In the group video field, ‘N Sync won over Dave Matthews Band’s “I Did It,” Destiny’s Child’s “Survivor,” Incubus’ “Drive” and U2’s “Elevation Remix.” Destiny’s Child, who was nominated for five Moon Men, only took home one for R&B video. The trio won in the same category last year for “Say My Name.”
Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst proved his directing prowess is as strong as his vocal chops as he and the band took home the best rock video nod a second year in a row for “Rollin.’ ” Durst also directed last year’s “Break Stuff.”
Mudvayne nabbed the MTV2 award, which was exclusively voted on by MTV2.com and MTV.com users.
Jamie Foxx, the show’s host, took a moment during the opening to let the audience know that while former president Clinton wanted to attend the event, he was unable to because “it’s karaoke night in Harlem.”
Before Backstreet Boys presented the hip-hop award, AJ McLean took a moment to thank MTV and the Backstreet Boys fans for their support during his time in rehab. “Sixty-four days sober. I’m proud,” he said.
Janet Jackson, Elliott, Timbaland and Ginuwine gave a moving tribute to the R&B singer Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash last month. Jackson, who read one of Aaliyah’s many fan letters to the audience said, “We will always love you.” Aaliyah’s brother, Rashad Haughton, also took the stage and thanked the fans for their support. Aaliyah won the female video and the video from a film Moon Man awards last year for “I Try.” Elliott was later joined by Nelly Furtado, Trina and Ludacris for a performance of “Get Ur Freak On” in homage to Aaliyah.
Walken was on hand to introduce ‘N Sync’s performance. Electing not to read off of the TelePrompTer, Walken said, “On stage at the Met, wow… I’m just glad to be a part of this at my age – 39.”
Other performances included Lopez and Ja Rule, Linkin Park, Jay-Z, Keys, Staind, U2 and Britney Spears.
One of the evening’s presenters, Macy Gray, was not shy about her ulterior motive for being on the show – printed in large letters on the front of her dress was “My new album drops Sept. 18, 2001.” The singer also showed the audience the backside of her dress, which read “Buy It.”
The complete list of winners follows:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya & Pink, “Lady Marmalade” from original motion picture soundtrack Moulin Rouge; HSI/Mars Media, production company; Rubin Mendoza, producer; Paul Hunter, director; Interscope Records
MALE VIDEO
Moby w/Gwen Stefani, “South Side” from Play; SuperMega/Palomar Pictures, production company; Lanette Phillips, Mary Ann Tanedo, producers; Joseph Kahn, director; V2 Records
FEMALE VIDEO
Eve w/Gwen Stefani, “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” from Scorpion; Geronimo Films, production company; Chris Palladino, producer; Philip Atwell, director; Ruff Ryders/Interscope Records
GROUP VIDEO
‘N Sync, “Pop” from Celebrity; A Band Apart, production company; Dana Marshall, John Thorpe, producers; Wayne Isham, director; Jive Records
RAP VIDEO
Nelly, “Ride Wit Me” from Country Grammar; Rockhard Films, production company; Charlotte Inmen, producer; Marc Klasfeld, director; Fo’ Reel Entertainment/Universal Records
R&B VIDEO
Destiny’s Child, “Survivor” from Survivor; A Band Apart, production company; Jil Hardin, producer; Darren Grant, director; Columbia Records
HIP-HOP VIDEO
Outkast, “Ms. Jackson” from Stankonia; FM Rocks, production company; Meridyth Fratililo, producer; F. Gary Gray, director; Arista Records
DANCE VIDEO
‘N Sync, “Pop” from Celebrity; A Band Apart, production company; Dana Marshall, John Thorpe, producers; Wayne Isham, director; Jive Records
ROCK VIDEO
Limp Bizkit, “Rollin’ ” from Chocolate Starfish & the Hot Dog Flavored Water; DNA Inc., production company; Doug Friedman, producer; Fred Durst, director; Interscope Records
POP VIDEO
‘N Sync, “Pop” from Celebrity; A Band Apart, production company; Dana Marshall, John Thorpe, producers; Wayne Isham, director; Jive Records
NEW ARTIST IN A VIDEO
Alicia Keys, “Fallin’ ” from songs in A minor; Squeak Pictures, production company; Colleen Haynes, producer; Chris Robinson, director; J Records
VIDEO FROM A FILM
Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya & Pink, “Lady Marmalade” from original motion picture soundtrack Moulin Rouge; HSI/Mars Media, production company; Rubin Mendoza, producer; Paul Hunter, director; 20th Century Fox, movie studio; Interscope Records
VIEWERS CHOICE
‘N Sync, “Pop” from Celebrity; A Band Apart, production company; Dana Marshall, John Thorpe, producers; Wayne Isham, director; Jive Records
DIRECTION IN A VIDEO
Fatboy Slim, “Weapon of Choice” from Halfway Between the Gutter & the Stars; Satellite Films/Propaganda, production company; Vincent Landay, Deannie O’Neil, producers; Spike Jonze, director; Astralwerks
CHOREOGRAPHY IN A VIDEO
Fatboy Slim, “Weapon of Choice” from Halfway Between the Gutter & the Stars; Satellite Films/Propaganda, production company; Vincent Landay, Deannie O’Neil, producers; Spike Jonze, director; Michael Rooney, choreographer; Astralwerks
SPECIAL EFFECTS IN A VIDEO
Robbie Williams, “Rock DJ” from Sing When You’re Winning; Godman Ltd., production company; Jo Godman, producer;
Vaughan Arnell, director; Carter White, Audio Motion, Clear Post Production, special effects; Capitol Records
ART DIRECTION IN A VIDEO
Fatboy Slim, “Weapon of Choice” from Halfway Between the Gutter & the Stars; Satellite Films/Propaganda, production company; Vincent Landay, Deannie O’Neil, producers; Spike Jonze, director; Val Wilt, art director; Astralwerks
EDITING IN A VIDEO
Fatboy Slim, “Weapon of Choice” from Halfway Between the Gutter & the Stars; Satellite Films/Propaganda, production company; Vincent Landay, Deannie O’Neil, producers; Spike Jonze, director; Eric Zumbrennen, editor; Astralwerks
CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A VIDEO
Fatboy Slim, “Weapon of Choice” from Halfway Between the Gutter & the Stars; Satellite Films/Propaganda, production company; Vincent Landay, Deannie O’Neil, producers; Spike Jonze, director; Lance Acord, director of photography; Astralwerks
BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO
Fatboy Slim, “Weapon of Choice” from Halfway Between the Gutter & the Stars; Satellite Films/Propaganda, production company; Vincent Landay, Deannie O’Neil, producers; Spike Jonze, director; Astralwerks