How can anything other than this be considered her best performance???

[zxcvb]

Although you can argue that she was a provocative performer from the beginning with the schoolgirl outfit (only in the first third of her debut video), this performance really did change the trajectory of her career.

We don't know for sure who's idea it was, but it's factual that few 18 year olds could pull this off. (Some even compare Britney with Aaliyah; while Aaliyah's music was and is GREAT, she absolutely NEVER did anything as inflammatory as this live from 1994-2001) 

I'm a Slave 4 U (video and song), Toxic and Blackout/Circus are all derivative of this performance.

[Pinky98]

1 hour ago, zxcvb said:

Although you can argue that she was a provocative performer from the beginning with the schoolgirl outfit (only in the first third of her debut video), this performance really did change the trajectory of her career.

We don't know for sure who's idea it was, but it's factual that few 18 year olds could pull this off. (Some even compare Britney with Aaliyah; while Aaliyah's music was and is GREAT, she absolutely NEVER did anything as inflammatory as this live from 1994-2001) 

I'm a Slave 4 U (video and song), Toxic and Blackout/Circus are all derivative of this performance.

This performance made her the artist she is today. This is when she was really taken seriously as a pop girl, a singer, an artist and a performer. We love to see it 

[Roxxy]

It is this performance that started all of it. Because this was so well received, she upped her game every single time. 

Her most artistic performance. First of all, the song is remixed so they weren't being lazy. And it's just so dynamic. There's a story. The revolving stage that showed her sitting down, and then going down the stairs, taking off her suit, the big reveal, the first song ends, the second song starts, she goes inside that revolving space orb, **** with her dancers, the floor routine, the iconic back bend at the end. I mean, #epic and #iconic 

#QueenOfTheVMAs

[FreeLou]

I remember how shocking it was and how anticipated her performances were back then. Anyone who wasn’t a fan back then just doesn’t know how things were. 

[BlackoutInTheCircus]

Ugh this performance is so iconic and it literally set the bar for primeney 

[vzlafan]

is iconic, and its the best im with you, slave 4 u was shock value performance because its a new song with the snake makes the BOOM!!!

But starting with satisfaction and them a remix of Oops being a BOP Already is just amazing!!!!

Its not the same presenting a song that is known before to present a whole new song

[Angels970]

This is the real beginning for
“ It’s Britney, B!t*h “ 

[Just Because]

I would love to see this Britney again. 🙏
 

LOVE this performance. 

[ColdAsFire88]

Yes to all of it. She came out looking like the king of pop and then stripped into the goddess that she is and STOLE the show.  After this performance she was known as The Princess of Pop. 

[zxcvb]

1 hour ago, ColdAsFire88 said:

Yes to all of it. She came out looking like the king of pop and then stripped into the goddess that she is and STOLE the show.  

Janet also might have done something 'similar' in the late 90s, but neither obviously have the same connotations as Britney's performance and Britney definitely didn't 'copy' anybody.

As stated in the OP, she really was 'shedding' her previously innocent image here.

(Although you could also argue she still didn't shed it completely until Toxic because the virgin label stayed with her through Slave/Timberlake relationship) 

But Slave 4 U, Toxic and Blackout derive from her 2000 VMA performance.

4 hours ago, Roxxy said:

Her most artistic performance.

Agree with this, while Everytime remains the artistic peak of her entire career and has no choice but to be my favorite Britney song because it's her OWN MUSICAL talent.

 

[igmate]

Her most iconic one? yes. Her best dancing? No. 2001/2002/2003 was her best dancing years for sure.

 

[Midnight]

I wont lie half the allure of this performance for me is the half naked dancers.   and Britney too of course. This performance is inspiring. 

[TakeYourHand]

Live vocals, controversial outfit reveal, ****** aesthetic, powerful energy and choreography, owning her femininity, control, and power opening with Satisfaction in a masculine suit, performing the song that solidified her place in pop only at 18. This performance is what put Britney in the pop royalty realm with Madge and MJ. Only a select few can do all that at such a young age.

[generation glory]

💯!!! I AGREE!!! Pure fire.🔥 🔥 I love this performance more than any of her other VMAS!! There was magic in the air... that night a star was born!! So was Britney’s legacy! The audience was electric I mean it was just a different vibe. You just knew you were witnessing something truly monumental.✨

[TakeYourHand]

She has many extraordinary performances but this takes the cake because it was the first time she raised the bar so high. No one could compete after this lol. 

[5HINee]

1 hour ago, igmate said:

Her most iconic one? yes. Her best dancing? No. 2001/2002/2003 was her best dancing years for sure.

 

I like how you shared her best dance song 

[joanhs]

Nah she lost me at her spastic dancing. The dance doesn't make sense and I hate that, but the performance is deff. top 5 anyway

[pop analyst]

Just LoVE!

[igmate]

2 hours ago, Midnight said:

I wont lie half the allure of this performance for me is the half naked dancers.   and Britney too of course. This performance is inspiring. 

WTF i never noticed her dancers in those years tbh, she was so charismatic can't take my eyes off of her 

[JackSProductions]

Even the remix alone is just the best. I hope we get a studio version one day