The MTV Video Music Awards are nothing if not an event. Taking place at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, this year marked the second year that HipHopDX was invited to cover the event. And while this year was much more “Hip Hop friendly” than last year — or, to be more accurate, every year prior — there was more than enough drama to fill the stadium.
There was the good (Missy Elliott’s performance, Megan Thee Stallion’s pre-show warm-up, Lil Nas X), the bad (Taylor Swift shading Kanye West ten years after the most infamous interruption OF ALL TIME!), and the ugly (more outfits on the red carpet than we’d care to admit).
Naturally, much ado was made about the aforementioned Swift shade, and the fact that Miley Cyrus was performing for the first time since announcing her split from Liam Hemsworth, but there’s even more to be said about a few standout Hip Hop performances.
Rising star Lizzo, for example, had an empowering message for the big girls as she performed in a yellow swimsuit for the screaming crowd, before shutting it down during the tribute to Missy Elliott later in the evening.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zufcztqMCOE
Megan Thee Stallion kept the outside crowd entertained when she performed “Hot Girl Summer” and “Cash Shit” for the first time on national television.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxzILisZNg0
ASAP Ferg & Big Sean performed an absolutely monstrous version of “Berserk.”
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC53WdkG44w
And Lil Nas X performing “Panini” before taking home the Best Song of the Year Award? ‘Nuff said.
Check out the images from the VMAs below. (All images by Bernadette Giacomazzo for HipHopDX.com)
Lizzo
Keke Palmer
Justina Valentine
JuJu (Love & Hip Hop: New York)
Naughty By Nature
Redman & DoItAll
DJ Khaled
Amara La Negra
Fetty Wap
Normani
Monica
Nikita Dragun
Queen Latifah
FULL LIST OF MTV VMA 2019 WINNERS
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Video Vanguard
WINNER: Missy Elliott
Video of the Year
WINNER: Taylor Swift: “You Need to Calm Down”
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Artist of the Year
WINNER: Ariana Grande
Song of the Year
WINNER: Lil Nas X: “Old Town Road (Remix)” [ft. Billy Ray Cyrus]”
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Best New Artist
WINNER: Billie Eilish
Best Collaboration
WINNER: Shawn Mendes / Camila Cabello: “Señorita”
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Push Artist of the Year
WINNER: Billie Eilish
Best Pop
WINNER: Jonas Brothers: “Sucker”
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Best Hip-Hop
WINNER: Cardi B: “Money”
Best R&B
WINNER: Normani: “Waves” [ft. 6LACK]
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Best K-Pop
WINNER: BTS: “Boy With Luv” [ft. Halsey]
Best Latin
WINNER: ROSALÍA / J Balvin: “Con Altura” [ft. El Guincho]
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Best Dance
WINNER: The Chainsmokers: “Call You Mine” [ft. Bebe Rexha]
Best Rock
WINNER: Panic! At the Disco: “High Hopes”
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Video for Good
WINNER: Taylor Swift: “You Need to Calm Down”
Best Group
WINNER: BTS
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Best Power Anthem
WINNER: Megan Thee Stallion: “Hot Girl Summer” [ft. Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign]
Song of Summer
WINNER: Ariana Grande and Social House: “Boyfriend”
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Fashion Trailblazer
WINNER: Marc Jacobs
Best Direction
WINNER: Lil Nas X: “Old Town Road (Remix)” [ft. Billy Ray Cyrus] (dir. Calmatic)
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Best Visual Effects
WINNER: Taylor Swift: “ME!” [ft. Brendon Urie] (visual effects: Loris Paillier & Lucas Salton for BUF VFX)
Best Editing
WINNER: Billie Eilish: “bad guy” (editing: Billie Eilish)
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Best Art Direction
WINNER: Ariana Grande: “7 rings” (art direction: John Richoux)
Best Choreography
WINNER: ROSALÍA / J Balvin: “Con Altura” [ft. El Guincho] (choreography: Charm La’Donna)
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Best Cinematography
WINNER: Shawn Mendes / Camila Cabello: “Señorita” (cinematography: Scott Cunningham)
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