This weekend, New York City was buzzing with anticipation for the annual MTV Video Music Awards, one of the most iconic events of the year. There was no better way to celebrate the anticipation than at Gitano NYC with BACARDÍ, in celebration of MTV Live’s PUSH program.
Inside the venue, the atmosphere was pure VMA magic: glowing neon installations, a red carpet photo moment where attendees could pose with a real VMA Moon Person trophy, and walk the red carpet for one-of-a-kind photo ops. Tucked away was another fan-favorite activation: a vinyl engraving station where guests designed custom records made exclusively for the night, walking away with a one-of-a-kind keepsake that screamed collector’s item. Only 200 records were made available just for the occasion.
The evening’s soundtrack featured a dynamic lineup, spotlighting MTV’s signature PUSH program, a platform dedicated to amplifying emerging voices and giving artists the stage to share their music with a global audience. Since its inception, PUSH has served as a launchpad for some of today’s biggest stars, pairing breakthrough artists with unforgettable performances and behind-the-scenes storytelling.
This year’s MTV Live PUSH artist, Kyle Dion, took the stage first, filling the room with his silky R&B vocals and genre-blurring sound. Known for his rich falsetto and storytelling rooted in identity, love, and self-expression, Dion performed fan-favorite tracks along with his new PUSH single. His performance highlighted why he’s become a standout in the next wave of contemporary R&B.
Closing out the showcase was Shenseea, the Jamaican dancehall and pop powerhouse whose magnetic stage presence and bold lyricism have made her one of the most exciting voices in global music. With a catalog that fuses dancehall, hip-hop, and pop, she energized the crowd with an electric set that included her original PUSH anthem.
Of course, BACARDÍ set the tone with a menu of signature cocktails crafted to match the VMA spirit, including:
- MOONWALK MOJITO – BACARDÍ Superior Rum, Lime, Mint, Club Soda
- THAT MANGO FUEGO – BACARDÍ Mango Chile Rum, Grapefruit Soda, Lime, Tajin
- GUAVA CHECK… 1,2 – BACARDÍ Gold Rum, Lime, Guava
- BACARDÍ 808 – BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho Rum, Banana Liqueur, Bitters
Hear more about MTV Live PUSH here!