From exorbitant fashion ensembles to viral performances, the only thing viewers can expect from watching the annual MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) is the unexpected.
Memorable pop culture moments such as Rihanna swerving Drake’s kiss on stage in 2016, Beyoncé’s powerful performance of her entire self-titled 2014 visual album, or Ye’s infamous interruption during Taylor Swift’s 2009 acceptance speech, will forever be etched into the history of the spectacle that is the VMAs.
The 2023 VMAs took over New Jersey’s Prudential Center Monday night and with artists like Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, and Shakira in attendance, there’s no doubt it was a buzz-worthy evening.
Here are some highlights from the show, in case you missed it.
Taylor Swift cleans up with nine VMA wins
(Courtesy: Flickr)
Taylor Swift took home nine awards, including Best Pop music video, beating out SZA for “Kill Bill,” Best Song for “Anti-Hero,” and Artist of the Year, which she was up for against Beyoncé. Swift lost her cool when presented with Best Pop by 90s boy-band NSYNC, who also handed her a few friendship bracelets.
Selena Gomez and Rema win Best Afro Beats for ‘Calm Down’
(Courtesy: Instagram, @selenagomez)
“Calm Down,” originally a song by Nigerian singer Rema and later remixed with Selena Gomez in 2022, won Best Afro Beats. The song has also spent over 50 weeks in the number one spot on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats songs chart.
Nicki Minaj wins Best Hip-Hop for ‘Super Freaky Girl’
(Courtesy: Instagram, @nickiminaj)
The self-proclaimed ‘Barbie’ won Best Hip-Hop for her track, “Super Freaky Girl.” Minaj won her first VMA in the Hip-Hop category for “Super Bass” in 2011. Last night, she performed her newest single “Last Time I Saw you.”
Diddy and special guests perform a medley of hits
Diddy, who won the Global Icon award, was joined by several other artists to perform a medley of songs, including “‘I’ll Be Missing You,” “‘Bad Boys For Life,” and “I Need A Girl.” The mini-concert was eight minutes of pure hip-hop nostalgia.
Shakira accepts the Video Vanguard Award—the first South American artist to do so
Shakira was honoured with the Video Vanguard award, a merit awarded to recording artists and music video directors each year at the show. She’s the first South American woman to win the award since its 1984 conception, and her two sons joined her for the occasion wearing matching outfits.
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion perform new song, “Bongos”
As it turns out, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallions’ 2021 Grammy performance of “WAP,” wouldn’t be the last time the two would be on stage together. On Monday night, the two artists performed their new song “Bongos,” bringing the energy one can only expect from the rappers.
