The 2022 MTV Video Music Awards got underway at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Sunday night (August 28).
Jack Harlow kicked off the evening’s festivities with a theatrical performance of “First Class” with Lil Nas X, Chloe Bailey and Saucy Santana just some of the notable names sitting in the makeshift plane. Once Harlow hit the stage, he was joined by Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie, who finished up the chart-topping single (which samples her 2006 single “Glamorous”).
From there, Harlow’s co-host LL COOL J took the stage and introduced the first presenters, Offset and DJ Khaled, who couldn’t stop shouting about his latest album God Did (naturally). The two rap titans handed the award out for Best Collaboration, which went to Lil Nas X and Harlow for “Industry Baby.”
Nicki Minaj soon stole the show with a career-spanning performance ahead of accepting this year’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. From “Anaconda” to her latest Billboard Hot 100 hit “Super Freaky Girl,” the self-proclaimed Black Barbie delivered a performance that undoubtedly thrilled her Barbz.
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During Nicki’s acceptance speech, she thanked those who inspired her “flow,” including Lil Wayne, Foxy Brown, Lauryn Hill Hill, Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh, as well several artists who’ve supported her along the way — from Kanye West, Beyoncé and Eminem to Drake, Rihanna and Britney Spears.
Nicki Minaj Omits Missy Elliott From MTV VMAs Acceptance Speech Following Barbz Spat
Eminem and a joint-smoking Snoop Dogg later took the stage for a metaverse performance of “From The D 2 the LBC” before Cheech and Chong introduced the Red Hot Chili Peppers who were the night’s Global Icon Award honorees. HipHopDX is updating the winners in real time. Check out the list below.
Video of the Year
Doja Cat – “Woman”
Drake f. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy”
Ed Sheeran – “Shivers”
Harry Styles – “As It Was”
Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow – “Industry Baby”
Olivia Rodrigo – “Brutal”
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) — WINNER*
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Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny — WiNNER*
Drake
Ed Sheeran
Harry Styles
Jack Harlow
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Song of the Year
Adele – “Easy on Me”
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” — WINNER*
Doja Cat – “Woman”
Elton John & Dua Lipa – “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix)”
Lizzo – “About Damn Time”
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – “Stay”
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Best New Artist
Baby Keem
Dove Cameron — WINNER*
Gayle
Latto
Måneskin
Seventeen
Best Collaboration
Drake f. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy”
Elton John & Dua Lipa – “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix)”
Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow – “Industry Baby” — WINNER*
Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa – “Sweetest Pie”
Post Malone & The Weeknd – “One Right Now”
Rosalía f. The Weeknd – “La Fama”
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – “Stay”
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Best Pop
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever”
Doja Cat – “Woman”
Ed Sheeran – “Shivers”
Harry Styles – “As It Was” — WINNER*
Lizzo – “About Damn Time”
Olivia Rodrigo – “Traitor”
Best Hip Hop
Eminem & Snoop Dogg – “From the D 2 the LBC”
Future f. Drake & Tems – “Wait for U
Kendrick Lamar – “N95
Latto – “Big Energy”
Nicki Minaj f. Lil Baby – “Do We Have a Problem? — WINNER*
Pusha T – “Diet Coke”
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Best Alternative
Avril Lavigne f. Blackbear – “Love It When You Hate Me”
Imagine Dragons & J.I.D – “Enemy”
Machine Gun Kelly f. Willow – “Emo Girl”
Måneskin – “I Wanna Be Your Slave” — WINNER*
Panic! at the Disco – “Viva las Vengeance”
Twenty One Pilots – “Saturday”
Willow & Avril Lavigne f. Travis Barker – “Grow”
Best R&B
Alicia Keys – “City of Gods (Part II)”
Chlöe – “Have Mercy”
H.E.R. – “For Anyone”
Normani f. Cardi B – “Wild Side”
Summer Walker, SZA & Cardi B – “No Love” (Extended Version)
The Weeknd – “Out Of Time” — WINNER*
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Video for Good
Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart Part 5”
Latto – “P*ssy”
Lizzo – “About Damn Time” — WINNER*
Rina Sawayama – “This Hell”
Stromae – “Fils de joie”
Best Cinematography
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “family ties”
Camila Cabello f. Ed Sheeran – “Bam Bam”
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – WINNER*
Kendrick Lamar – “N95”
Normani f. Cardi B – “Wild Side”
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)
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Best Direction
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “family ties”
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever”
Ed Sheeran – “Shivers”
Harry Styles – “As It Was”
Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow – “Industry Baby”
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – WINNER*
Best Art Direction
Adele – “Oh My God”
Doja Cat – “Get Into It (Yuh)”
Drake f. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy”
Kacey Musgraves – “Simple Times”
Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow – “Industry Baby” – WINNER*
Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa – “Sweetest Pie”
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Best Visual Effects
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever”
Coldplay & BTS – “My Universe”
Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart Part 5”
Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow – “Industry Baby” — WINNER*
Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa – “Sweetest Pie”
The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber – “Stay”
Best Choreography
BTS – “Permission to Dance”
Doja Cat – “Woman” — WINNER*
FKA twigs f. The Weeknd – “Tears in the Club”
Harry Styles – “As It Was”
Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow – “Industry Baby”
Normani f. Cardi B – “Wild Side”
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Best Editing
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “family ties”
Doja Cat – “Get Into It (Yuh)”
Olivia Rodrigo – “Brutal”
Rosalía – “Saoko” — WINNER*
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)
The Weeknd – “Take My Breath”
