Last years 2005 MTV Video Music Awards in Miami Florida were marred by Hurricane Katrina and hip-hop cultures legendary rap record label icon, Death Row Records CEO and owner, Marion ‘Suge’ Knight, being shot.

Of course in true hip-hop style there was a little beef between NY rap artist Fat Joe and NY hip-hop artist 50 Cent for added hip-hop drama.

So now the President of MTV, Christina Norman, has announced that the 23rd annual “2006 MTV Video Music Awards” will head back to New York City, the home of Hip-Hop.

The awards show will air live from Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, August 31st at 8PM (ET/PT). The return of the VMAs marks the 13th time that the star studded music awards show will be held in New York City and the 10th time at the Radio City Music Hall.  Host, performers, nominees, and presenters for the “2006 MTV Video Music Awards” will be announced soon.

The 2006 VMAs will be a multi-screen experience for fans that will live and breathe on every single MTV platform - MTV, MTV2, mtvU, mtvUber, MTV.com, MTV Overdrive, wireless, and more!  More details on the VMAs’ multi-screen elements will be announced shortly.

“The VMAs are always the biggest party of the year and in 2006 we will take the show to unprecedented levels with fans interacting with music and stars through every single screen of MTV,” said Norman.  “The 2006 VMAs will take advantage of the new ways the MTV audience is connecting with entertainment – broadband, wireless, online – these additional platforms will make this year’s show even more interactive and engaging, beaming the insanity directly to fans.”

“New York City is our hometown and we are really looking to showcase the music, culture, and people from every borough of this amazing city on TV, online, broadband, and wireless to fans around the globe,” said Norman.