2016 MTV Video Music Awards Highlights
The annual MTV Video Music Awards took place last night at the Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. The show took a different route this year sending out a few different hosts. DJ Khaled served up the pre-game show, while famous comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele commentated most of the main event. They were accompanied by Nicole Byer and Jay Pharoah throughout the night. This year’s VMA’s went for variety in their choice for hosts so that viewers would stay interested and not grow tired of just one host.
There were over ten performers for the main show, with Rihanna and Beyoncé leading the way. Rihanna performed four separate times throughout the night singing a medley of thirteen of her most beloved songs. Ariana Grande and Niki Minaj performed, “Side to Side”, and rap sensation Future sang one of his top tracks. Nick Jonas, Ty Dolla $ign, G-Eazy, Halsey, and The Chainsmokers also performed. The biggest treat for viewers might have been Britney Spears performing on the VMA stage for the first time in nearly ten years! Overall, the performances were top notch with two of the best singers in the world in Rihanna and Beyoncé leading the way with several songs. Beyoncé performed a medley of six songs, and showed the world how she is still naturally one of the best performers of all time.
Beyoncé dominated several categories, winning eight awards this year. She now holds the records for the most awarded artist in the history of the Video Music Awards with 24. The top award, “Video of the Year”, goes to the artist that put out the best overall video. Beyoncé’s, Formation video won the award with its artistic and clever approach to making a statement about gun violence and police brutality. Critical reception was mixed about the video due to its intense visuals and message, but it quickly grew in popularity as Beyoncé reiterated her message during her, Formation World Tour.
Video of the Year
Beyoncé — “Formation”
Adele — “Hello”
Drake — “Hotline Bling”
Justin Bieber — “Sorry”
Kanye West — “Famous”
