Ask Justin Timberlake where “home” is and I’m sure he’ll say Memphis. Ask Actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck where “home” is and I’m also sure they’ll say Boston. These artists haven’t actually “lived” in those cities full-time in many years, but the fact is that we carry our hometowns with us no matter where our work or travels take us. Where we come from is inextricably tied to who we are, and it always comes through in the art musicians, writers, actors and dancers create.

Music is obviously global, but it is also one of the more local art forms – meaning there’s usually a “sound” or “scene” associated with the music coming out of a particular area. Listen to one Beach Boys song and you can almost taste the salt from the Pacific Ocean water. Listen to a Tribe Called Quest song and you can almost see and feel New York City.

With the MTV Video Music Awards airing this Sunday, we wanted to pay homage to some of our favorite nominated artists who still wear their hometowns on their sleeves, whether they know it or not. Here’s a look at some of our favorite homes from their old stomping grounds.

Aloe Blaac – Laguna Beach, California

I’d ask someone to pinch me and “Wake Me Up” if  I called this iconic Laguna Beach estate home. The home features stunning unobstructed Pacific Ocean views from nearly every room and a private staircase that puts you right on the beach. Other amenities include beamed ceilings, an elevator, three fireplaces, a steam shower, skylight, a Viking range and so much more. Click here to see more.

Lana Del Rey – New York City, New York

No need for “Summertime Sadness”, or sadness of any sort,  if you were to wake up each morning in this quintessential Upper East Side townhome. The impressive 6,500 square foot residence offers a one-of-a-kind lifestyle on one of Manhattan’s most private and tree-lined streets. The home was crafted with an undeniably impressive attention to detail, and is a serious entertainer’s dream. Click here to see more.

Ariana Grande – Boca Raton, Florida

“The Way” I see it, this enormous estate in the Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club is one of Florida’s finest. The property is obviously ideally located, but the interior is nothing to sneeze at either. It features over 10,000 square feet of delightful living space designed with an elegant European aesthetic. Click here to see more.

Beyonce – Houston, Texas

When you think of Houston real estate, the first thing you think of might not be penthouses, but this $1.3 million dollar gem might just change your mind. Everything about this modern downtown penthouse is “Flawless”. From rare aged dark pinewood floors, to floor to ceiling windows that bring the Houston skyline to you – this home is both hip and luxurious. Waking up in this bright and airy home would make me feel like I could seriously  “Run the World”. Click here to see more.

30 Seconds to Mars (Jared Leto) – Bossier City, Louisiana

It’d be easy to feel like “Kings and Queens” in this extraordinary property sprawling across two full sized lots. The stately home is punctuated by crystal chandeliers, first-class appliances, fireplaces and a media room. The property is surrounded by stately brick walls that allow for ultra-private entertaining on the grandest of scales. Click here to see more.

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We hope you’ve enjoyed looking at these fantastic homes from the hometowns of these VMA nominees! The artists we’ve featured probably haven’t lived in their hometowns for many years, but there are certain aspects of each of their songs that give off a vibe that you associate with where they are from. I heard someone say once that “you can take the kid out of Jersey, but you can’t take the Jersey out of the kid.” Well, that is certainly true for us all, our travels may take us away, but home is always with us.

The MTV Video Music Awards air this Sunday at 9pm EST.