2013 MTV VMAs Must-See Performances

Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Drake, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke... phew! 

The above list represents only a handful of those scheduled to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards set for Sunday. The award ceremony, which marks its 30th anniversary, takes over the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

It's been a long time since audiences solely tuned in to MTV to watch music videos, and today the VMA performances have almost eclipsed the actual reason for the music industry free-for-all: those awesome Moonman statuettes handed out to the winners. Regardless of who wins or loses on the night, here's a list of the performances we're sure will having you yelling, "I want my MTV," like it was 1986 all over again.

Lady Gaga

Mother monster is set to open the proceedings with her new single "Applause" off of her upcoming ARTPOP album. It'll be the first time Gaga will hit the stage to perform after undergoing a hip surgery earlier this year that forced her to cancel the remainder of her "Born This Way Ball" tour. can she top the infamous "meat dress" ensemble of 2010?

Justin Timberlake (and maybe 'NSync!)

The "Mirrors" singer will do double duty Sunday night: he'll perform during the ceremony in addition to receiving the coveted Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. And boy band aficionados have got their hair scrunchies in a knot since news broke Tuesday of a rumored "NSync reunion that would see Joey Fatone, J.C. Chasez, Lance Bass and Chris Kirkpatrick join Timberlake onstage for a special performance. The "SexyBack" singer is tied with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis for the most VMA nominations, with six each.

Kanye West

The new dad will hit the stage for his seventh performance at the VMAs, tying with Madonna for the most performances by an artist. West will perform his single "BLKKK S---N HEAD" off of his latest album "Yeezus." Kardashian fans are no doubt hoping Kim will make her first post-baby appearance on the red carpet.

Katy Perry

The "Teenage Dream" singer and main squeeze of John Mayer will perform her brand new single "Roar" off of her upcoming album "Prism."

Robin Thicke

The "Blurred Lines" frontman (along with collaborators T.I. and Pharrell) picked up three VMA nominations including Video of the Year, best Male Video and Best Collaboration. A summer hit juggernaut,  "Blurred Lines" surpassed 10 consecutive weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is a sure bet to have audiences getting their groove on both at home and at the Barclay's Center.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

The rapper and his producing partner will perform their marriage equality anthem "Same Love." The pair matched Timberlake to lead the pack with six nominations, including Video of the Year for their single "Thrift Shop," Best Hip Hop Video for "Can't Hold Us" and Best Video with a Social Message for "Same Love."

Miley Cyrus

Disney star no more, Cyrus is all grown-up set to perform her summer smash "We Can't Stop" off of her new album "BANGERZ."

Drake

MTV only confirmed Wednesday that the "Started from the Bottom" rapper and singer had been added to the performance lineup. His new album "Nothing Was the Same" is set to drop in September.

Presenters scheduled to appear on the night include Jimmy Fallon, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Jared Leto, Emeli Sande and A$AP Rocky.

The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards airs live from 9 pm ET Sunday, Aug. 25 on MTV

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