LL Cool J on Hosting the 2025 MTV VMAs and His Pre-Show Ritual (Exclusive)

This year’s MTV VMAs is in good hands.

On Sunday, Sept. 7, LL Cool J will assume the role of host for the annual awards show — and he caught up with PEOPLE to share his thoughts ahead of the big night.

“I’m giving people a night off from all the madness in the world… so they can have a good time and enjoy music and enjoy everything about music, all the different genres, all the different generations,” the “Headsprung” rapper, 57, tells PEOPLE.

He adds, “I’m not going to try to make it about LL Cool J… Just have fun and usher people in and out. I’m like the crossing guard at the junior high.”

Reflecting on his pre-show rituals, LL Cool J keeps it simple: “Pray, take a bath, get dressed, go host.”

What LL Cool J won’t do? Get too crazy with the outfit changes.

“I’m going to change my clothes a couple of times, but what I’m not going to do is have 19 different pinstripe suits,” he quips. “I’ll change a few times just to keep it fresh, but I’m not going to be up there, ‘Do you like my tight slacks this evening? Are they moving the crowd?’ I ain’t doing all that. I’m just going to have a good time, enjoy myself and keep it simple.”

This year, the MTV VMAs are presenting the first-ever Rock the Bells Visionary Award to Busta Rhymes. The award is named after LL Cool J’s 1985 hit song “Rock the Bells,” which he’s since developed into a brand that elevates the legacy of hip-hop.

Therefore, though LL Cool J is excited to see all of the performances, he’s especially hyped to see Busta take the stage.

“There’s going to be a lot of really dope moments. And I think all of the fans have something to look forward to,” he says.

This year marks LL Cool J’s second time hosting the show. In 2022, he shared hosting duties with  Jack Harlow and Nicki Minaj. However, his history with the show goes far beyond that. He won his first Moon Person in 1991 and in 1997, he became the first rapper to receive the Video Vanguard Award.

“My personal favorite memory is receiving the Video Vanguard Award,” he recalls.

“In terms of performances, seeing Eminem perform was dope — when he came in with all of the kids with the blond hair and the T-shirts looking like him? I liked that,” he says, seemingly referencing Eminem’s iconic performance of “The Real Slim Shady” and “The Way I Am” at the awards show in 2000.

The 2025 MTV VMAs air live from UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS (for the first time) and MTV. The ceremony will also stream on Paramount+.