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10 iconic GIFs from MTV’s Video Music Awards

The most memorable moments in the storied history of MTV’s Video Music Awards have become cultural touchstones—unforgettable reference points for pop culture.

Since its first show in 1984, these historic events have been dissected, parodied, and posted on YouTube thousands of times. Now, in preparation for tonight’s big event, we’ve turned our top 10 VMA moments into GIFs.

1) Nirvana tears up the stage (1992)
After being told by MTV to perform “Smell Like Teen Spirit,” the band opened its VMA performance with a few verses from “Rape Me.” Frontman Kurt Cobain later stated that he sang part of the song “just to give [MTV] a little heart palpitation.” Nirvana eventually transitioned into its single “Lithium.” Near the end of the song, Cobain jammed his guitar into a busted amplifier.

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