Why Jennifer Lopez Deserves The VMA Video Vanguard Award
The Latin legend has consistently changed the game for pop stars over 20 years and her videos were an important part of the story...
Jennifer Lopez is being honoured with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards.
A superstar considered a legend not only in the music industry but the entertainment industry at large, as a rare celebrity who never had to choose between music and film - or perhaps she refused to - as she has thrived as both a singer and actress for three decades.
A woman who owned her worth from the get go, refusing to let her personality be diminished to insert-name-here’s girlfriend or wife, despite the media’s incessant attempts to do so. A Latino woman who never gave into societal pressures of ‘how a woman should look’, instead redefining what bodies can be considered the most beautiful, birthing a whole generation of body positivity.
A businesswoman who was one of the first to go beyond her primary job title to launch clothing lines, perfumes and tons of other merchandise - not only inspiring future pop stars but also completely changing the meaning of celebrity, and the opportunities for their wallets.
Jennifer Lopez’s influence has been evident since the beginning of her career as she determined trends in popular music and fashion style, and is quite literally the reason Google Images exists (see the infamous Versace dress below), however the extent of her impact is only now being felt 20 years in.
From Fenty Beauty to the perfume ranges of everyone including Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears and Justin Bieber; the welcomed movie careers of musicians like Beyoncé and Rihanna, and even the brief trend of pop superstars becoming talent show judges at the peak of their chart careers earlier this decade. Everything Jennifer Lopez has ever done, her peers and the next generation have followed.
These are just some of the reasons why J-Lo deserves to be honoured with the award, and we’ve not even talked about the music videos yet. Let’s dive in.
She Has Hits For Days
It's a new generation of party people
Get 'em up, yeah
If you go hard, you gotta get on the floor
If you're a party freak, then step on the floor
If you're an animal, then tear up the floor
Break a sweat on the floor
Yeah, we work on the floor
Don't stop, keep it moving, put your drinks up
Pick your body up and drop it on the floor
Let the rhythm change your world on the floor
You know we're running shit tonight on the floor
Brazil, Morocco, London to Ibiza
Straight to LA, New York, Vegas to Africa
Dance the night away
Live your life and stay young on the floor
Dance the night away
Grab somebody, drink a little more
Tonight we gon' be it on the floor
Tonight we gon' be it on the floor
I know you got it, clap your hands on the floor
And keep on rocking, rock it up on the floor
If you're a criminal, kill it on the floor
Steal it quick on the floor, on the floor
Don't stop, keep it moving, put your drinks up
It's getting ill, it's getting sick on the floor
We never quit, we never rest on the floor
If I ain't wrong, we'll probably die on the floor
Brazil, Morocco, London to Ibiza
Straight to LA, New York, Vegas to Africa
Dance the night away
Live your life and stay young on the floor
Dance the night away
Grab somebody, drink a little more
Tonight we gon' be it on the floor
Tonight we gon' be it on the floor
Break it off
Kick it out
Raise the roof
Wreck the dancehall
Rip these walls
Light it up
Make some noise, oh
Tonight we gon' be it on the floor
Tonight we gon' be it on the floor
Tonight we gon' be it on the floor
Nobody gets to where Jennifer Lopez on a fluke hit, and that's exactly why her discography is jam-packed with classic anthems that carry a legacy and still get spun on the regular. She is the ultimate tastemaker, consistently evolving her sound throughout her career as she trusts her ear to know when she's got something great, seamlessly shifting between genres to push pop to new places.
Slick pop-laced R&B defined the sound of her debut album then she opted for a more straight-up pop sound on its follow-up, before switching it up completely for a hip-hop-heavy remix album that broke records, and later continuing to experiment with upcoming musical trends.
Somehow, though, with every album she has provided at least one massive club-ready dance banger, whether it be the trance-infused 'Waiting For Tonight' or EDM-lite 'On The Floor' that took over the world at the beginning of the decade, and now sits as one of the best-selling songs of all time.
J-Lo made a moment of each and every single via the art of the music video, where she has served up dance breaks in times where they're nonexistent, narratives, iconic looks, characters - even playing nine (!!) in the one 'Get Right' visual - and much more. Like a true '90s pop icon, she understands the power that the medium has to elevate a song beyond its sonic limits to become something larger than life by creating a vibe and lifestyle around those few minutes of music.
She Revolutionised The Remix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjx9oSJDAVQ
In 2001, Jennifer did something unprecedented when she released 'I'm Real'. Alongside the original album version, she dropped a remix that is essentially an entirely different song that shares the same title, dubbed the 'Murder Remix' and featuring Ja Rule. The risk paid off when the hip-hop-leaning remix topped the US charts for six weeks, and inspired her to record a full remix album.
Despite only being two albums deep into her career, she already had enough major hits that could merit a remix, while she also made more brand new songs that simply shared the title with one of her previous singles, like lead single 'Ain't It Funny', whose remix also topped the Billboard charts. The album set a record as the first remix album to top the US albums chart and currently reigns as the fourth biggest-selling remix album of all time, behind Madonna and Michael Jackson. What a legendary group, right?
The success of 'I'm Real', 'Ain't It Funny' and third remix 'I'm Gonna Be Alright' proved the power of Jennifer Lopez very early on in her career, as she was making moves nobody else was brave enough to or would probably even think of doing.
She Serves Narratives
Think I'm gonna spend your cash (I won't)
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
Think I wanna drive your Benz (I don't)
If I wanna floss I got my own
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
When you rolled up in the Escalade
Saw that truck you gave to the valet
Knew that it was game when you looked at me
Pulling up your sleeve so I could see the Rolley bling
Saw you later in the corner booth
Raising up a toast so I would notice you
But your heart's a mess
Think you outta know
Doesn't matter if you're balling out of control
All that matters is
That you treat me right
Give me all the things I need
That money can't buy yeah
Think you gotta keep me iced (You don't)
Think I'm gonna spend your cash (I won't)
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
Think I wanna drive your Benz (I don't)
If I wanna floss I got my own
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
When I took a chance
Thought you'd understand
Baby credit cards aren't romance
So you're tryna buy what's already yours
What I need from is not available in stores
Seen a side of you that I really feel
Doing way too much, never keep it real
If it doesn't change, gotta hit the road
Now I'm leaving, where's my keys?
I've got to go
All that matters is
That you treat me right
Give me all the things I need
That money can't buy yeah
Think you gotta keep me iced (You don't)
Think I'm gonna spend your cash (I won't)
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
Think I wanna drive your Benz (I don't)
If I wanna floss I got my own
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
A thing, a thing, a thing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
You think the money that you make
Can substitute the time you take
Take the keys here to my heart
Then you can win my heart, and get what's in my heart
I think you need to take some time
To show me that your love is true
There's more than dollar signs in you
Then you can win my heart, and get what's in my heart
Think you gotta keep me iced (You don't)
Think I'm gonna spend your cash (I won't)
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
Think I wanna drive your Benz (I don't)
If I wanna floss I got my own
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
Think you gotta keep me iced (You don't)
Think I'm gonna spend your cash (I won't)
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
Think I wanna drive your Benz (I don't)
If I wanna floss I got my own
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
Think you gotta keep me iced (You don't)
Think I'm gonna spend your cash (I won't)
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
Think I wanna drive your Benz (I don't)
If I wanna floss I got my own
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
Already an established actress by the time she kicked off her music career, Lopez has never been shy of blending the two together to make for more interesting visuals. From the utterly iconic 'Love Don't Cost A Thing' video - that is how you launch a second album - to the bittersweet winter romance of 'All I Have', a lush R&B duet with LL Cool J, she has often whipped out her acting chops for narrative-based music videos.
She took things to a new level with the still-amazing 'Get Right' video that saw her act as nine different characters, something she then emulated for her next album's lead single 'Do It Well', while the massive 2016 single 'Ain't Your Mama' saw her exemplify the treatment of women in the video to express the feminist sentiment behind the song.
While she's striking enough to simply sit and stare into the camera, and such a remarkable entertainer that we would happily watch her perform choreography in every video, she always switches things up to best suit the song and, in turn, often turns in a finished product that utilises all of her talents. Dancing, acting, her Goddess-given beauty; she's got it all.
She's The Dance Break Queen
The braids and crop top breakdown in 'Love Don't Cost A Thing'; the sudden switch from chill pop midtempo to Latin drums in 'I'm Into You'; the literally-iconic 'Get Right' choreography with the poles. There are too many classic Jennifer Lopez dance breaks to count. We struggle to think of one artist who has shown such dedication over two decades to keep dance alive in visuals, so much so that she continues to record mini remixes to include in said breakdowns.
In the sweetest dream
I have pictured us together
Now to feel your lips
On my fingertips, have to say is even better
Then I ever thought it could possibly be
It's perfect, it's passion, it's setting me free
From all of my sadness
The tears that I've cried
I have spent all of my life
Waiting for tonight, oh
When you would be here in my arms
Waiting for tonight, oh
I've dreamed of this love for so long
Waiting for tonight, oh, ohh
Tender words you say, take my breath away
Love me now and leave me never
Found a sacred place, lost in your embrace
I want to stay in this forever
I think of the days when the sun used to set
On my empty heart, all alone in my bed
Tossing and turning, emotions were strong
I knew I had to hold on
Waiting for tonight, oh
When you would be here in my arms
Waiting for tonight, oh
I've dreamed of this love for so long
Waiting for tonight, oh
When you would be here in my arms
Waiting for tonight, oh
I've dreamed of this love for so long
Waiting for tonight, oh, ohh
(Quédate ahí, papi)
Gone are the days when the sun used to set
On my empty heart all alone in my bed
Tossing and turning, emotions were strong
I knew I had to hold on
Waiting for tonight, oh
When you would be here in my arms
Waiting for tonight, oh
I've dreamed of this love for so long
Waiting for tonight (tonight, tonight) oh
When you would be here in my arms
Waiting for tonight tonight, tonight), oh
I've dreamed of this love for so long
Waiting for tonight (tonight, tonight) oh
When you would be here in my arms
Waiting for tonight (tonight, tonight), oh
I've dreamed of this love for so long
Waiting for tonight, oh
Beyond the forgotten art of dance breaks, J-Lo's natural talent as a phenomenal dancer hasn't disappeared as her career has progressed and she still outperforms many of her peers - no shade, all tea. Her rhythm lends itself to hip-hop, salsa, interpretive, freestyle - all styles that she's taken on in her videography.
She has never downplayed this talent, though, as her debut music video 'If You Had My Love' showed her switch up dance routines based on the genre chosen in the virtual doll-themed video. It's the reason why she's been nominated for 10 (!) VMAs for Best Dance Video and Best Choreography, winning it in 2000 for 'Waiting For Tonight'.
We'd still like a recount for 'Get Right' and 'I'm Glad' but we'll save those arguments for another day. Basically, to sum up, Jenny never lets us down on the dance front.
Genuinely Iconic Looks
It's very special
Baby, don't go, baby, don't go, baby, don't go
Baby, don't go, baby, don't go, baby, don't go
It's such a shame but I'm leavin'
Can't take the way you're mistreatin' me
And it's crazy, but oh, baby
It don't matter, whatever, don't phase me
I don't believe you wanna leave like this
I don't believe I just had my last real kiss
I do believe we'll laugh and reminisce
Wait a minute, don't bounce, baby
Let's talk about this mess
Well, I'm bouncin' and I'm out, son
I gotta leave you alone
'Cause I'm good, holdin' down my spot
And I'm good, rappin' the girls on the block
And I'm good, I got this thing on lock
So without me you'll be fine, right?
All my pride is all I have
Your pride is what you had, baby girl, I'm what you have
You'll be needin' me but too bad
Be easy, don't make decisions when you mad
The path you chose to run alone
I know you independent, you can make it on your own
Here with me you had a home, oh, yeah
The time is of the essence, why spend it alone
Some nights I waited up for you
Promises you made about comin' through
So much time you wasted
That's why I had to replace you
It makes a cat nervous, the thought of settlin' down
Especially me, I was creepin' all over town
I thought my tender touch could lock you down
I knew I had you, as cocky as it sounds
The way you used to giggle right before I put it down
It's better when you're angry come here, I'll prove it now, come here
Stop playin', you gamin'
I gotta leave you alone
'Cause I'm good, holdin' down my spot
And I'm good, rappin' the girls on the block
And I'm good, I got this thing on lock
So without me you'll be fine, right?
All my pride is all I have
Your pride is what you had, baby girl, I'm what you had
You'll be needin' me but too bad
Be easy, don't make decisions when you mad
The path you chose to run alone
I know you independent, you can make it on your own
Here with me you had a home, oh, yeah
The time is of the essence, why spend it alone
People make mistakes to make up, to break up, to wake up
Cold and lonely chill baby you know me you love me
I'm like your homey instead of beef and confomy
I promise I'm not a phony, don't bounce baby console me, come here
Ain't nothin' you can say to me that can change my mind
I gotta let you go now
And nothin' will ever be the same, do just be on your way
Go head and do your thang now
And there's no more to explain to me, you know
I know you game I'm not feelin' what you do
So I'm bouncin' and I'm out, son
I gotta leave you alone, yeah, yeah
All my pride is all I have
Your pride is what you had, baby girl, I'm what you have
You'll be needin' me but too bad
Be easy, don't make decisions when you mad
The path you chose to run alone
I know you independent, you can make it on your own
Here with me you had a home, oh, yeah
The time is of the essence, why spend it alone
All my pride is all I have
Your pride is what you had, baby girl, I'm what you had
You'll be needin' me but too bad
Be easy, don't make decisions when you mad
The path you chose to run alone
I know you independent, you can make it on your own
Here with me you had a home, oh, yeah
The time is of the essence, why spend it alone
Just quickly, can we please discuss this pink fur-lined coat?
She's Part of the TRL Generation
One of the most duh! reasons to explain Jennifer Lopez's deserving honour at the 2018 MTV VMAs is the fact that she was quite literally one of the most prominent figures of the TRL days. Accompanied by Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake (and *NSYNC, bless them), P!nk and Destiny's Child, J-Lo's videos were on heavy rotation as they made headlines for one reason or another.
Whether she was pushing the limit with her topless scene in 'Love Don't Cost A Thing' or playing on the media's obsession with her relationship in 'Jenny From The Block', the best thing about Jennifer's videography is that she has always tried something new and was never too scared about what people might say.
That's why she's a legend, after all.
She's Jenny From The Block
Men go work and some do stealing
Everyone's got to make a living
LOX yeah
JLo yeah
Yeah yo-yo
We off the blocks this year
Went from a low to a lot this year
Everybody mad at the rocks that I wear
I know where I'm goin' and I know where I'm from
You hear LOX in your ear
Yeah we're at the airport out
D Block from the block where everybody air forced out
With a new white tee you fresh nothin' phony with us
Make the money get the mansion bring the homies with us
From In Livin' Color movie scripts
To On the 6 to JLo to this headline clips
I stay grounded as the amounts roll in
I'm real I thought I told ya
(I'm real)
I'm real even on Oprah (I'm real)
That's just me
Nothin' phony don't hate on me
What you get is what you see, oh
Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got
I'm still I'm still Jenny from the block
Used to have a little now I have a lot
No matter where I go I know where I came from
From the Bronx!
Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got
I'm still I'm still Jenny from the block
Used to have a little now I have a lot
No matter where I go I know where I came from
From the Bronx!
I'm down to earth like this rockin' this business
I've grown up so much
I'm in control and lovin' it rumors got me laughin' kid
I love my life and my public
Put God first and can't forget to stay real
To me it's like breathing, yeah...
Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got
I'm still I'm still Jenny from the block
Used to have a little now I have a lot
No matter where I go I know where I came from
From the Bronx!
Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got
I'm still I'm still Jenny from the block
Used to have a little now I have a lot
No matter where I go I know where I came from
From the Bronx!
Yo-yo it take hard work to cash checks
So don't be fooled by the rocks that I got they're assets
You get back what you put out
If even if you take the good route can't count the hood out
After a while you'll know who to blend with
Just keep it real with the ones you came in with
Best thing to do is stay low LOX and JLo
(Everyone's got to make a livin') They
Act like they don't but they know, yeah
Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got
I'm still I'm still Jenny from the block
Used to have a little now I have a lot
No matter where I go I know where I came from
From the Bronx!
Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got
I'm still I'm still Jenny from the block
Used to have a little now I have a lot
No matter where I go I know where I came from
From the Bronx!
Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got
I'm still I'm still Jenny from the block
Used to have a little now I have a lot
No matter where I go I know where I came from
From the Bronx!
Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got
I'm still I'm still Jenny from the block
Used to have a little now I have a lot
No matter where I go I know where I came from
From the Bronx!
From where? The Bronx! Congratulations, J-Lo. Jenny. Jennifer. Miss Lopez. We love you forever!
Words: Ross McNeilage