Adele, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne to perform at VMAs (AP)

NEW YORK – Chris Brown and Lil Wayne are returning to the MTV Video Music Awards stage, while Adele will make her first appearance.

The trio are the first performers announced for the Aug. 28 ceremony in Los Angeles, at the Nokia Theatre. The announcement was made Thursday.

Brown's star, once tarnished because of his attack on Rihanna, is shining bright this year, and MTV has taken note.

"He is having a moment with multiple hits this year, and he always delivers on the VMA stage," said Amy Doyle, executive vice president of music and talent at MTV, on Wednesday.

She called his 2007 performance at the VMAs one of the most memorable: "He will give an energetic, bombastic, jaw-dropping performance."

Adele, who is nominated for seven VMAs, is also scheduled to perform. Only Katy Perry has more VMA nods with nine; Adele is tied with Kanye West with her seven.

Doyle predicted Adele would "bring chills down everybody's spine, if not bring them to tears, too."

Adele has the year's best-selling album with "21," but Doyle notes that her live act hasn't been seen much: Adele was forced to reschedule some concerts earlier this year because of a throat problem.

Lil Wayne's appearance will come a day before the scheduled release of his much-anticipated new album, "Tha Carter IV." Like Brown, he has also performed before on the VMAs.

"Being a nominee and performer on the VMAs once again is an honor because everyone doesn't get that opportunity," he said in statement. "Looking forward to performing on the show, and having `Tha Carter IV' drop the same week!"

Doyle said this year's show has a dynamic set that will "allow for a lot of bells and whistles," and promises that each performance will be unique. So far, no host has been announced for the typically irreverent show.

Doyle said a tribute to Amy Winehouse, who died Saturday, is a possibility.

"We don't know yet, but certainly she is top of mind, in our thoughts and in our hearts," she said.

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Online:

http://www.mtv.com

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Nekesa Mumbi Moody is the AP's music editor. Follow her at http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi

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