EMINEM TO OPEN VMAs

The first performance on the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, airing this Sunday (9/12) at 9 p.m. (with the white carpet pre-show getting things started at 8), will feature the artist with the year’s fastest-selling album—and one of contemporary music’s most impressive track records. We’re referring, of course, to as Eminem, who’ll take the stage at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles to start the show. Slim Shady is no stranger to the VMA stage, but this will be the first time he’s opened the show.

The opening slot is always reserved for a prestigious artist, MTV News’ Kyle Anderson pointed out this morning. For example, the 2009 show got things going with the Michael Jackson tribute, while 2003 began with Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera kissing), and this year is no different.

But even though we know who we'll be seeing, we're unsure exactly what will happen on the VMA stage once Em is introduced. Will he perform his current chart-topping single "Love the Way You Lie"? Will he unleash "Not Afraid," the track for which he has received eight VMA nominations this year? Perhaps he’ll trot out one of the collaborations from the Detroit Home and Home shows, like a tag-team with Dr. Dre or a duet with Jay-Z. Or will he use the VMA stage to launch the next single from the multi-platinum Recovery (which is reportedly the Lil Wayne-assisted "No Love")? Or will it be something else entirely, like the ass-kicking "Cold Wind Blows" or the Pink-assisted "Won't Back Down"?

Knowing what is available to Eminem (and know how high he aims to impress audiences), Anderson posits that it's possible he could be planning something entirely different and new, featuring a first-time collaboration or an unusual take on an old track. MTV is asking fans to vote their answers to the question: What should Eminem perform at the VMAs? The choices are “Love the Way You Lie,” “Not Afraid,” “No Love,” “Won’t Back Down,” “Cold Wind Blows,” something with Dre and something with Jay.

Also performing are Kanye West, Drake, Florence + the Machine, B.o.B, Justin Bieber, deadmau5, Jason Derulo, Linkin Park, Nicki Minaj, Paramore, Robyn and Travie McCoy.