On Aug. 20, the 35th annual Video Music Awards aired live at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Opening the show was Cardi B who appeared to be breastfeeding, but of course her comedic self was actually just holding a MTV award in her arm wrapped in a blanket.courtesy of piratefm.co.uk

The list of performers included Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes, Logic and Ryan Tedder, Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Panic! at the Disco, Maluma, Jesse Reyez, Bazzi, Post Malone and Aerosmith, and Jennifer Lopez.

The biggest award of the night, the Video Vanguard Award was given to Jennifer Lopez for her ability to act, sing, and perform successfully. Her performance blew people away; she sang her most popular songs: “Waiting for Tonight,” “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” “Jenny from the Block,” and “Get Right.” She even danced to snippets of other artists’ songs like Drake’s “Nice for What” and Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow.” Lopez also brought up Ja Rule for “I’m Real” and “Ain’t That Funny”. Then DJ Khaled joined in for her newest hit, “Dinero.”courtesy of cosmopolitan.com

“I grew up on MTV and this is a tremendous honor for me. Dreaming my wildest dreams and then watching them come true — music, acting, performing — this career has always been kind of an obsession for me,” said Lopez during her acceptance speech.

Another amazing performance was given by Ariana Grande. She sang her hit “God is a Woman.” Her performance looked like feminist version of the Last Supper. At the end of the performance Grande brought out her mom, nana, and cousin to celebrate and honor them. It was a beautiful and pure moment for them and the audience.
courtesy of celebrityinsider.org

Logic also performed with One Republic artist Ryan Tedder. They performed “One Day,” what was called a “politically charged” song. During the performance families from activist groups United We Dream, Make the Road NY, and the National Domestic Workers Alliance took the stage wearing T-shirts that said, “We are all human beings.” They portrayed parents being reunited with their children to demonstrate the current issue of immigrants being separated from their children.courtesy of pitchfork.com

“Bring us your tired, your poor, and any immigrant who seeks refuge. Together we can build not just a better country but a world that is destined to be united,” said Logic in support of migrants.

Disappointing moments always find their way in award shows and this years was Madonna’s “tribute” to Aretha Franklin. The artist was asked to present the Video of the Year award and while doing so she simply told a personal anecdote of Franklin. People were upset that it was short, personal, and, well, actually, wasn’t really a tribute at all and more of a shout out to the icon.

Madonna later took to Instagram to say, “And just to clarify: I was asked to present video of the year by MTV! And then they asked me to share any anecdotes I had in my career connected to Aretha Franklin! I shared a part of my journey and thanked Aretha for inspiring me along the way. I did not intend to do a tribute to her. That would be impossible in 2 minutes with all the noise and tinsel of an award show.”

Here’s a list of Winners:

Best Hip Hop Video: Nicki Minaj – “Chun-Li”
Video of the Year: Camila Cabello – “Havana” [ft. Young Thug]
Song of the Year: Post Malone – “Rockstar” [ft. 21 Savage]
Song of the Summer: Cardi B ft. Bad Bunny and J Balvin “I like it”
Artist of the Year: Camila Cabello
Best New Artist: Cardi B
Best Pop Video: Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry”
Best Collaboration: Jennifer Lopez – “Dinero” [ft. DJ Khaled and Cardi B]
Best Latin Video: J Balvin – “Mi Gente” [ft. Willy William]
Video with a Message: Childish Gambino – “This is America”
Best Direction: Childish Gambino – “This is America”
Best Choreography: Childish Gambino – “This is America”
Best Cinematography: The Carters – “APES**T”
Best Art Direction: The Carters – “APES**T”
Best Visual Effects: Kendrick Lamar and SZA – “All The Stars”
Best Editing: N.E.R.D – “Lemon” [ft. Rihanna]
Best Dance Video: Avicii – “Lonely Together” [ft. Rita Ora]
Best Rock Video: Imagine Dragons – “Whatever It Takes”
Push Artist of the Year: April 2018 – Hayley Kiyoko