Updated on:12/04/2025 04:22 PM 
The recent collaboration between rap legends Eminem and Snoop Dogg at the Video Music Awards has ignited widespread debate, particularly regarding their incorporation of Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) elements into the performance. This fusion of traditional hip hop with emerging digital collectibles has sparked conversations across multiple platforms about the intersection of celebrity culture and blockchain technology.
Hosted at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on August 28, the 2022 VMAs featured numerous celebrities showcasing avant-garde fashion choices, with exposed midriffs and gender-fluid menswear dominating the red carpet scene.
Since its inception on September 14, 1984, the VMAs have established themselves as arbiters of pop culture. However, similar to other award shows, the VMAs have experienced a gradual erosion of their cultural relevance and authority in recent years.
A 2019 Washington Post article observed that recent VMA performances "have been notable for not being notable," criticizing MTV's diminishing cultural impact and the perceived lack of authenticity in recent productions.
In an attempt to reconnect with contemporary cultural currents, Eminem and Snoop Dogg incorporated BAYC-inspired visuals during their rendition of "From the D 2 the LBC," blending live stage performance with pre-recorded animated sequences featuring Bored Ape characters.
Despite the innovative approach, the performance failed to impress segments of the largely crypto-uninitiated mainstream audience, with many labeling the digital collectibles integration as "cringe-worthy" and questioning the artists' motives.
YouTube comments revealed a polarized reception, with some admirers praising Eminem's "super crisp" vocal delivery and the artists' enduring relevance in the industry, while others expressed dissatisfaction with the "cartoon effects" that incorporated blockchain technology.
When the conversation shifted to platforms with more blockchain-aware communities like Reddit and Twitter, the criticism intensified. One self-identified Eminem enthusiast commented that the performance "made me laugh at how pathetic it was," while also criticizing the quality of the BAYC animation that utilized NFT technology.
The detailed post suggested that the artists had "sold out" by promoting and endorsing "NFT projects that nobody has discussed," with the commenter expressing a preference for Eminem's retirement rather than continued association with what they perceived as opportunistic blockchain ventures.
Another critic questioned the wisdom of investing in BAYC "digital images" built on the JPMorgan-supported Ethereum blockchain, remarking that one would need to be "as high as Snoop Dogg" to consider such an investment, even with "regulatory oversight."
