American TV channel MTV is better known for reality shows than its music programs these days, but its Video Music Awards (VMAs) have stood the test of time since debuting in 1984.

The first VMAs ceremony was held just seven months after the Grammys introduced a new category for Best Music Video, with both recognising the groundswell of musicians and directors doing interesting things in the format.

Music videos were popularised by acts like The Beatles in the mid-’60s, who used the clips to deal with the impossible number of requests for television appearances they received. During the ’70s the clips became a staple of the industry.

By MTV’s debut in 1981, they were becoming an art form in their own right, as well as a marketing force to be reckoned with. And while physical formats such as tapes and CDs have dwindled, video still rules supreme via Tik Tok, YouTube and countless other platforms.

The VMAs are on again this weekend in the US, and here’s why they’ve mattered and are still worth paying attention to.