If you’ve been unconscious for the past 15 hours and somehow missed this year’s legendary MTV Video Music Awards, we’ve got you covered with the top 5 moments.Top 5. Top 5. Top 5….
5. Beyoncé Slayage
Beyoncé aka QUEEN BEY killed it last night and I mean brutally murdered the stage. Not only did she win 4 VMAS including Video of the Year, Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, Breakthrough Long-Form Video, she also gave an ICONIC performance of Lemonade. But honestly calling it a “performance” is an understatement, she recreated nearly half the album giving those of us who’ve never had the divine pleasure of seeing her in concert what it must feel like. On a more touching note, Bey brought the mothers of Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner and Oscar Grant as her guests for the evening and began her show with a poignant tribute to these fallen angels.
4. The Return of Britney Spears
For better and for worse Britney Spears returned to the VMA’s stage for the first time since 2007. Following Bey’s legendary performance is difficult in itself for anyone, but with lip-synching, questionable choreography and a lack of chemistry between her and on-stage partner G-Easy, Britney did the best she could. Her performance is still a triumphant return and was a treat for all the die-hard fans who missed the simpler times of 2001. Britney has come a long way and to be able to grace the stage as she did showed progress.
3. Kanye has a moment
Many of you heard that this year the VMAs were giving Kanye 4 minutes of air time to do as pleases so we all waited with bated breaths as he took the stage. Of course Taylor’s name came up, reiterating that he called her in advance because he cares. He explained the concept behind the “Famous” video acknowledging Ray J and Amber Rose, but the most earth-shattering this Ye did was drop the music video for “Fade” which has managed to break the internet. People are still not over Teyana Taylor’s amazing performance and body.
2. Rihanna Reigns
As the recipient of this year’s Vanguard Award, it was truly Rihanna’s night. She performed “Where Have You Been,” “We Found Love,” “Only Girl,” “Stay,” “Diamonds,” “Love on the Brain,” “Rude Boy,” “Work” and “B*tch Better Have My Money.” So basically Riri throughout the ages, but she wanted to make one point very clear, that’s she’s still Riri from the block. She paid homage to her styles of yesteryear as well as to her many personas, be they sultry vixen or rough-around-the-edges tomboy. She also dedicated her triumph to her country, the Caribbean, women and especially black women.
1. Awww Drake
Even if you’re a cynic, last night when young Aubrey Graham took the stage to present Rihanna with the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award, you’d be lying if you said you weren’t rooting for The Boy. Not only, NOT ONLY were we relieved that Drake was no longer stuck in traffic, but we all gushed as he gave what can only be described as the cutest speech of any VMAs. When Drake said “She’s someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22-years-old,” I know that everyone around me including myself was dead and are still in recovery. Twitter had a field day saying Riri curved him, but honestly let her LIVE! That moment was and still is Rihanna’s moment to shine, she’s built an empire and should not be scrutinized for prioritizing. Even while reading this, some might think It’s almost unfair how their potential romance is overshadowing her AMAZING achievement, but honestly it’s not. I think part of the reason why we were all so invested in Drake and Riri is because we aspire to be bosses in our respective fields while hoping to find love just like them, JUST LIKE HER.