Every day, artists make statements with their music: proclamations of love, hate and everything in between. It's the statements that they made sans music, however, that are sometimes the most memorable -- especially the proclamations that a bevvy of artists have made while accepting Moonmen during MTV's Video Music Awards.

In preparation for the 2013 Video Music Awards, MTV News has pulled together some of the most memorable acceptance speeches from past VMAs. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll question your place in this world. Check out our list below then tune in on August 25 at 9 p.m. EST to watch new memories be made!

2012: Drake's Dedication

After beating out the likes of Jay-Z and Kanye West for Best Hip-Hop Video, Drake got emotional about his bar mitzvah-inspired "HYFR" vid during the 2012 Video Music Awards.

"The video, it's about being me," he said after accepting his Moonman. "Being black and Jewish. I went to this house party one time, and when I showed up there, it was a bunch of kids and I ended up getting made fun of.... I want to dedicate this award to any kid that's ever had a long walk home by yourself, you know what I'm saying? This is to you man for real. We made it."

We hope the "Started From The Bottom" singer is primed to bring some of that excess emotion to the 2013 VMAs, where he'll be performing this Sunday.

2011: Tyler, The Creator's Rain of F-Bombs

After Tyler, The Creator nabbed the Moonman for Best New Artist, the rapper let his excitement -- and his mouth -- run away with him. "Yo, I'm excited as f--- right now, yo," he said on stage. "I wanted this sh-- since I was nine. I'm about to cry. This is for my little brother Earl [Sweatshirt]. He's not here right now. I really can't believe I'm here right now. I didn't write a thank you speech. I don't know. F---. To all the kids watching, you can do this sh--. Thank you."

Well, thank you, Tyler -- for giving our censors a run for the f---ing money!

2010: Lady Gaga Gives A Meaty Speech

Lady Gaga won a buffet of awards back in 2010, including "Video Of The Year," "Best Female Video" and "Best Pop Video" for "Bad Romance." That's a lot of stage time! Her acceptance speech for "Video of the Year," however was the most memorable, as the singer was attired in a dress entirely made of meat -- along with a matching meat hat, shoes and purse, which she asked Cher to hold while she took her trophy.

We expect a similarly mouth-watering display when Gaga takes the stage to open the 2013 Video Music Awards this Sunday.

2009: "Imma Let You Finish"

While this moment is about as tired as the MTV crew will be after this whole "No Sleep Til Brooklyn" thing, we would be remiss if we didn't mention one of Kanye West's tempest of rage, which was unleashed back in 2009.

For those whole have been slumbering in fallout shelters for the last four years: When Taylor Swift went to go collect her Moonman for "Best Female Video" for "You Belong With Me," Kanye stormed the stage, proclaiming: "Yo, Taylor, I'm really happy for you -- Imma let you finish -- but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time." Beyonce, for her part, looked on in what appeared to be confusion and awe. Kanye then handed Swift the mic and strode off stage.

This year, Swift is up for two Video Music Awards -- "Video Of The Year" and "Best Female Video" for "I Knew You Were Trouble" -- and it seems as though she's prepared for any and all interruptions. When she heard about her nominations she tweeted:

Still, we hear that lightening doesn't usually strike twice, so perhaps Swift should take out more extensive disaster insurance to protect against future trouble (trouble).

From The Vault: Fiona Apple: "This world is bullsh**"

Back in 1997, Fiona Apple was everyone's favorite "bad, bad girl" -- which is why her Best New Artist acceptance speech has gone down in history as one of her most memorable moments.

After taking the stage, Apple stated that she hadn't prepared an acceptance speech, instead quoting Maya Angelou and saying that this moment was her opportunity to make a statement. That statement: "This world is bullsh**, she said, referring to the music world. "And you shouldn't model your life about what you think that we think is cool and what we're wearing and what we're saying and everything. Go with yourself."

Well, Fiona, that speech left us speechless.

[mic drop]

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