The 1994 MTV VMA’s saw a change in venue as it was held at the Radio City Music Hall, New York, the place of its introduction. Female comedian Rosanne Barr took on the responsibility of being the host for the 11th MTV Video Music Awards. The opening of the awards saw a very embarrassing PDA (embarrassing for the audience) in the much publicized Michael Jackson-Lisa Marie Presley kiss. Michael justified it saying "And just think, nobody thought this would last"(It lasted a harrowing two years). Skipping to the Awards, R.E.M walked away with an impressive haul of four Moonmen including one for Breakthrough Video. The Rolling Stones received the Lifetime Achievement Award from MTV, Keith Richards didn’t sound too pleased, he was quoted as saying "Lifetime award? I've still got 187 years in me!" .The two most sought after awards the Viewer’s Choice and Video of the year awards went home with Steven Tyler and Co. of Aerosmith for Cryin.
This year MTV recruited some more big names to perform at the awards, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Stone Temple Pilots, The Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, Boyz II Men and Snoop Dogg, all biggies in their respective genre. The respectability of the VMAs was soaring and MTV was reveling in all the attention it was getting.
List of Nominees and Winners at the MTV Video Music Awards 1994
Video of the Year
- Aerosmith - Cryin'
- Beastie Boys - Sabotage
- Nirvana - Heart-Shaped Box
- R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts
Best Male Video
- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
- Beck - Loser
- Tony Bennett - Steppin' Out With My Baby
- Bruce Springsteen - Streets of Philadelphia
Best Female Video
- Janet Jackson - If
- Bjork - Human Behaviour
- Sheryl Crow - Leaving Las Vegas
- Me'Shell Ndege'Ocello - If That's Your Boyfriend
Best Group Video
- Aerosmith - Cryin'
- Beastie Boys - Sabotage
- Green Day - Longview
- R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts
Best Rap Video
- Snoop Doggy - DoggDoggy Dogg World
- Coolio - Fantastic Voyage
- Cypress Hill - Insane In The Brain
- Dr. Dre - Let Me Ride
Best R&B Video
- Salt-N-Pepa &En Vogue
- The Brand New Heavies - Dream On Dreamer
- Toni Braxton - Breathe Again
- R. Kelly - Bump 'N Grind
Best Dance Video
- Salt-N-Pepa & En Vogue
- US3 - Cantaloop
- En Vogue - Runaway Love
- Crystal Waters - 100 Pure Love
- Janet Jackson – If
Viewer's Choice
- Aerosmith - Cryin'
- Beastie Boys - Sabotage
- Nirvana - Heart-Shaped Box
- R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts
Best New Artist
- Counting Crows -Mr. Jones
- Beck - Loser
- Bjork - Human Behaviour
- Green Day - Longview
- Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories – Stay
Breakthrough Video
- R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts
- Deep Forest - Sweet Lullaby
- Bjork - Human Behaviour
- Beastie Boys - Sabotage
- Nine Inch Nails – Closer
Best Metal/Hard Rock
- Soundgarden
- Aerosmith - Cryin'
- Anthrax - Black Lodge
- Rollins Band – Liar
Best Alternative Video
- Nirvana - Heart-Shaped Box
- Beck - Loser
- Green Day - Longview
- Smashing Pumpkins – Disarm
Best Video From a Film
- Bruce Springsteen - Streets of Philadelphia
- Backbeat Band - Money
- Madonna - I'll Remember
- SinéadO'Connor - You Made Me The Thief of Your Heart
Best Direction
- R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts
- Aerosmith - Amazing
- Beastie Boys - Sabotage
- Deep Forest - Sweet Lullaby
Best Choreography
- Salt-N-Pepa & En Vogue
- Hammer - Pumps and a Bump
- Janet Jackson - If
- US3 – Cantaloop
Best Special Effects
- Peter Gabriel
- Aerosmith - Amazing
- Bjork - Human Behaviour
- Tool - Prison Sex
Best Art Direction
- Nirvana - Heart-Shaped Box
- Aerosmith - Amazing
- Bjork - Human Behaviour
- nine inch nails – Closer
Best Editing
- R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts
- Aerosmith - Amazing
- Bjork - Human Behaviour
- Deep Forest - Sweet Lullaby
- Peter Gabriel - Kiss That Frog
- Meatpuppets - Backwater
- The Smashing Pumpkins - Vasoline
- The Stone Temple Pilots – Disarm
Best Cinematography
- R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts
- Aerosmith - Amazing
- Deep Forest - Sweet Lullaby
- Nirvana - Heart-Shaped Box