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MTV VMAs 2015: Five things you probably missed on the red carpet

Nick Jonas performs on the red carpet for the 32nd MTV Video Music Awards.

Nick Jonas performs on the red carpet for the 32nd MTV Video Music Awards.

(Paul Buck / EPA)
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Though everyone tunes in for the main show, the red carpet is where all the action truly takes place. This year's MTV Video Music Awards were no different, attracting a grab bag of celebrities including songstresses Jojo and Ciara, rappers E-40 and T-Pain and Youtubers Tyler Oakley and Todrick Hall, the latter of whom has a show premiering on MTV on Monday.

Check out our list below of some things you might’ve missed:

1.Rapper Vic Mensa gets political

Awards shows this year have all had their elements of politics as police shootings and the #BlackLivesMatter movement have taken center stage in the cultural conversation. The VMAs were no different, with rapper Vic Mensa donning an outfit in honor of Assata Shakur, a black nationalist on the FBI's most wanted terrorists list. The back of the jacket read: "KKKops are the biggest gang."

2. Gabourey Sidibe takes a dance break

While waiting on her costar Jussie Smollett to finish an interview, Sidibe heard a song that got her moving. Immediately she broke out into a quick eight-count routine. Though no video exists of the amazing moment, if you saw her at the Teen Choice Awards, you know she doesn't hold back.

3. Hip-hop legends speak on current state of music

For those unaware, Kool Moe Dee, Grandmaster Caz and Melle Mel are what you call legends. Ahead of their history-making performance with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, the trio gave its thoughts on hip-hop -- and a shout-out to rapper Drake.

"The industry moves the way it's supposed to move as there are a lot of strategies at play," said Kool Moe Dee. "The big turning point was once hip-hop got extreme consciousness when Public Enemy came out with their pro-black movement. It kind of scared corporate or mainstream America and then we immediately went from the conscious rap into what we call 'gangsta rap.' No disrespect to those who were doing gangsta rap, but they didn't make those records to be on radio or be mainstream. But then the industry flipped and started making gangsta mainstream, in my opinion, to get us away from the conscious rap."

4. Ja Rule returns to the VMAs

We haven't heard of anything from the rapper in some time, but, with a new television show coming out, Ja Rule attended the VMAs for the first time since 2002. His new show, called "Follow the Rules," is reality-based, featuring his entire family. His wife, Aisha Atkins, who stood by his side, likened their relationship to the characters Martin and Gina from the 1990s comedy series "Martin." As for music, he's hoping for some early 2016 releases.

5. Nick Jonas performs, sort of

Closing out the red carpet (and the pre-show) was Jonas, singing his latest single, "Levels." Though the dancers' choreography stunned, and the bit with Kelly Osbourne was cute, none of it could cover what seemed to be him lip-synching. We didn't know that was still a thing.

Follow me on Twitter for more VMAs and entertainment coverage: @TrevellAnderson.

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