After the spectacle of the Michael Jackson tribute, the acknowledgement of Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein's sudden death was marked only by Kid Cudi. The Cleveland-born rapper joined the evening's house band, led by Wale, on the side of the main stage, just as 3oh!3, Solange Knowles and others did throughout the night. As Cudi paid tribute to the late DJ, a picture of Goldstein flashed on the screen, and the rappers launched into a version of Cudi's 'Day N Nite.'

In the end, the version would only be seen in full by those in attendance at Radio City Music Hall. An announcement about an upcoming award was read over the performance and then the broadcast went to commercial, cutting the tribute very short.

Cudi had previously announced his plans to honor AM, telling MTV News, "DJ AM was a good homie of mine, so we're going to do a little something for him ... He had so much love." At last year's VMAs, Cudi appeared with AM and Travis Barker, who were the house band.