The 2018 MTV Video Music Awards are over for another year and as always, it was a night filled with celebs, music and stellar performances. Kicked off by Cardi B and her ‘baby’ Kulture, which turned out to be a swaddled moon person, she introduced the first performance of the evening – Shawn Mendes.
While the show had no official hosts, Night School stars Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish delivered a monologue full of digs at the likes of Fifth Harmony and Lil Xan, just before announcing Nicki Minaj as the winner of Best Hip Hop Video for her song Chun-Li. Nicki later performed at the PATH World Trade Center Station to an audience of excited fans.
Performances were rife as stars like Ariana Grande, Panic! at the Disco and Post Malone with Aerosmith and 21 Savage took the stage to perform their hits. Jennifer Lopez also delivered a medley of her classics like Jenny from the Block and Love Don’t Cost a Thing combined with newer songs such as On the Floor. Shawn Mendes presented her with the coveted Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for recognising her accomplishments in music and film.
The main event, Video of the Year was delivered to Camilla Cabello for her Havana music video with Young Thug, and also took out Artist of the Year. Cardi B and Childish Gambino tied for the most number of awards, at 3 each.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
MICHAEL JACKSON VANGUARD AWARD SPONSORED BY PEPSI®
Jennifer Lopez
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Camila Cabello – Syco Music/Epic Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
Post Malone featuring 21 Savage – “rockstar” – Republic Records
BEST POP
Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left To Cry” – Republic Records
BEST NEW ARTIST (Presented by Taco Bell ®)
Cardi B – Atlantic Records
BEST LATIN
J Balvin, Willy William – “Mi Gente” – UMLE/Republic Records
BEST COLLABORATION
Jennifer Lopez featuring DJ Khaled & Cardi B – “Dinero” – Epic Records/Nuyorican Productions
PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Hayley Kiyoko – Atlantic Records
BEST HIP HOP
Nicki Minaj – “Chun-Li” – Young Money/Cash Money Records
BEST ROCK
Imagine Dragons – “Whatever It Takes” – KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records
BEST DANCE
Avicii featuring Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” – Geffen Records
VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ/RCA Records
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Cinematography by Benoit Debie
BEST DIRECTION
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Directed by Hiro Murai
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “All The Stars” – TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Loris Paillier for BUF Paris
BEST ART DIRECTION
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Art Direction by Jan Houlevigue, The Louvre
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ/RCA Records – Choreography by Sherrie Silver
BEST EDITING
N.E.R.D & Rihanna – “Lemon” – i am OTHER/Columbia Records – Editing by Taylor Ward