MTV is airing a new version of the New Radicals’ anthemic 1998 hit “You Get What You Give” as a promo for the 2025 VMAs. In the new version, original members Gregg Alexander and Danielle Brisebois trade vocals with New Zealand singer-songwriter Benee (“Supalonely”).
The promo depicts various pop culture personalities passing the VMAs’ signature Moonperson trophy to one another. The lineup includes Paris Hilton, Steven Tyler, Nikki Glaser, Ciara, CBS Mornings’ Vlad Duthiers and LL COOL J. LL is slated to host this year’s VMAs on Sunday, Sept. 7. Hilton, Glaser and Ciara are set to present.
The promo was the brainchild of Van Toffler, Gunpowder & Sky CEO, who is producing this year’s show. This marks Toffler’s return to the show following a decadelong absence.
“Like a lot of my unrealistic ideas that hit at 3 a.m., I woke up with Gregg’s chorus in my head, called him at a ridiculous hour, and somehow he didn’t hang up,” Toffler said in a statement. “Now Benee’s belting with the New Rads as the VMA anthem – and if the 90s, 2000s, and 2020s can collide in one campaign, it’s proof that even decades later, music still finds new ways to connect.”
The talent involved were also enthused about the collaboration.
“Now is a bonkers time in the world, nothing seems real?!,” Alexander and Brisebois said in a statement. “So, when Video Music Awards visionary Van Toffler rang a few months ago asking if New Radicals would record a ‘Music in You’ duet with a future superstar, we thought we were hallucinating. … So here’s ‘Supalonely’ supastar BENEE with New Rads howling ‘You Got the Music in You!’ to honor Van’s demand. We had a blast making it and we hope you enjoy!”
“You Get What You Give” made the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1999 even though it wasn’t released as a commercial single. It reached No. 30 on Radio Songs and went top 15 on Pop Airplay and Adult Pop Airplay.
New Radicals released only one album, 1998’s Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too. Alexander disbanded the group in mid-1999 to focus on writing and producing songs for other artists. Alexander and Brisebois’ songwriting partnership continued, with the two receiving an Oscar nomination for best original song in 2015 for their song “Lost Stars” from the film Begin Again.
Benee at the Billboard No. 1s Party held at the Keys on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images
Benee’s “Supalonely,” which featured Gus Dapperton, cracked the Hot 100 in early 2019.
“I was so stoked to be asked to be a part of the project with New Radicals,” Benee said. “It was really cool working with Gregg and Danielle. They are incredibly talented songwriters, and it feels really special to be a part of reworking such an iconic song.”
Hosted by LL COOL J, the VMAs are set to air live coast-to-coast from New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m., ET/5 p.m., PT on CBS, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. This year’s VMAs will be the first to air on CBS.
Mariah Carey will receive this year’s Video Vanguard Award and will perform a career-spanning medley of hits. Busta Rhymes will receive the MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award, while Ricky Martin will be honored with the inaugural Latin Icon Award.
MTV has also revealed details about the one-hour pre-show. Hosted by Nessa and Kevan Kenney with special performers KATSEYE, the pre-show airs live Sunday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m., PT on MTV and BET, BET Her, Comedy Central, CMT, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land and VH1.
Also, the VMAs Extended Play Stage moves in-show for the first time, spotlighting a trio of first-time VMA nominees: Bailey Zimmerman feat. The Kid LAROI, Lola Young and Megan Moroney.
Lady Gaga leads the pack at this year’s awards with 12 nominations, followed closely by her “Die With a Smile” collaborator Bruno Mars with 11. Other top contenders include Kendrick Lamar (10), Sabrina Carpenter (nine), ROSÉ (eight), Ariana Grande and The Weeknd (seven each), Billie Eilish and Tate McRae (six each), Charli xcx (five), and Alex Warren, Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus and Morgan Wallen (four each).
Other key players on the 2025 VMAs team are executive producers Bruce Gillmer, Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic, and Barb Bialkowski. Alicia Portugal is co-executive producer. Jackie Barba is executive in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is executive in charge of music talent.
