Kanye West ends boycott of MTV video awards

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The outspoken rapper was upset by his treatment at last year's show, when his performance was relegated to a small stage in the Las Vegas venue.

West also failed to win any prizes, and accused the music cable network of exploiting Britney Spears, who inadvertently stole the show by badly lip-synching and dancing to her new tune.

The faded pop star will again open the show this year, but she will not perform.

"She will be ... doing something so mind-bending, it'll probably make you want to start families with each other in a random, possibly Mormon, way," the show's host, English comedian Russell Brand, joked during a press preview at the Paramount Pictures lot where the ceremony will be held.

He was joined at the preview by Aguilera, who will be making her first televised performance since giving birth to a baby boy in January.

Another performer, rapper T.I., was also on hand at the preview. The trio posed for photographs before Aguilera walked to a waiting limousine and sped off.

Brand described Disney teen idols the Jonas Brothers as "God's favourite virgins," and suggested that their request to be introduced at the event by teen country starlet Taylor Swift was "a decision made from below their sexy little waists."

In recognition of the ceremony's silver anniversary, Brand said MTV would pay homage to the show's storied past. In particular, Katy Perry, the singer of the summer's biggest hit "I Kissed A Girl," will cover Madonna's "Like A Virgin."

"There's a lot of virginity and lesbianism, let me tell you that, going on at the show," said Brand.

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