Janet Jackson kicked off this year\'s VMAs with a musical tribute to the life and career of her brother Michael Jackson. Madonna held a poignant speech about her relationship with the late pop icon.

She lamented the negative publicity that dogged him in his later years. Madonna:

\"Sometimes, we have to lose things before we can truly appreciate them. (...) Yes, Michael Jackson was a human being, but dammit, he was a king. Long live the king.\"

Providing the soundtrack for the VMA\'s triumphant return were Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé Knowles, Green Day, P!nk, Taylor Swift and Muse. Rapper Wale and legendary go-go band UCB performed as the show\'s official house band, collaborating throughout the night with artists like The All-American Rejects, Pitbull and 3OH!3.

MTV was handing out statues for classic categories like Best Female Video and Video of the Year. They also introduced some new categories into the nominee mix like Best Breakthrough Video and Best Video (That Should Have Won A Moonman). Here\'s the full list of VMA winners:

• Video of the Year: Beyonce, \'Single Ladies
  
• Best New Artist: Lady Gaga, \'Poker Face\'
  
• Best Hip-Hop Video: Eminem, \'We Made You\'
  
• Best Male Video: T.I. featuring Rihanna, \'Live Your Life\'
  
• Best Pop Video: Britney Spears, \'Womanizer\'
  
• Best Rock Video: Green Day, \'21 Guns\'
  
• Best Female Video: Taylor Swift, \'You Belong With Me\'
  
• Best Video (That Should Have Won a Moonman): Beastie Boys, \'Sabotage\'
  
• Breakthrough Video: Matt and Kim, \'Lessons Learned\'
  
• Best Art Direction: Lady Gaga, \'Paparazzi\'
  
• Best Choreography: Beyoncé, \'Single Ladies\'
  
• Best Cinematography: Green Day, \'21 Guns\'
  
• Best Direction: Green Day, \'21 Guns\'
  
• Best Editing: Beyoncé, \'Single Ladies\'
  
• Best Special Effects: Lady Gaga, \'Paparazzi\'