Snoop Dogg Promises Cannabis to MTV VMA Winners

Snoop Dogg, serving as the master of ceremonies for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, opened the show with a monologue that included a playful promise of cannabis for the night's winners. The event took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

"It wouldn't be a Snoop Dogg party if I didn't provide some of that special sticky icky icky," the 54-year-old rapper quipped, using slang for marijuana. He then clarified that the offer was exclusively for those taking home an award, playfully telling other attendees to "look under your seat" only to find nothing.

The night's most anticipated moment is expected to be Taylor Swift receiving the inaugural Artist Director Honors. This award would place her ahead of Beyoncé, as both artists entered the night tied with 30 VMA wins.

Swift has directed music videos for numerous tracks, including "The Fate of Ophelia," "cardigan," "willow," and "All Too Well: The Short Film." Her recent release of the deluxe album "The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore" and the new single "Patient Zero" on Friday has also generated significant buzz among her fanbase.

Madonna led the nominations this year with 11 nods, narrowly ahead of Swift, who received nine nominations. Both artists are competing for Video of the Year, with Swift nominated for "The Fate of Ophelia" and Madonna for "Confessions II (The Film)." Other nominees for Video of the Year include Ariana Grande for "Hate That I Made You Love Me," Sabrina Carpenter for "Tears," Bruno Mars for "I Just Might," and GENER8ION (starring Yung Lean) for "Storm."

Madonna, a past recipient of 19 VMAs, previously made headlines at the show in 1984 with her performance of "Like a Virgin" and in 2003 for her on-stage kiss with Britney Spears. To tie Beyoncé's current record, Madonna would need to win in every category for which she is nominated this year.