Photo: Steve Granitz (Getty Images)
We all remember Britney Spears iconic 2001’s MTV Video Music Awards performance when she wrapped an albino Burmese python around her barely legal neck while gyrating to “I’m A Slave 4 U”, but I bet you can’t remember who won Video of the Year (it was “Lady Marmalade” by Christina Aguilera, Mýa, Pink, and Lil’ Kim featuring Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott).
Also: Best Albums of 2017… So Far
MTV’s VMAs have always been more about the show’s performances than the actual awards handed out.
The 2017 VMAs were no different as everyone will be talking, texting, and posting about WTF happened than who actually took home a “Moon Person”, which is a more all-inclusive, gender neutral replacement to MTV’s former “Moon Man” award.
Kendrick Lamar was the big winner of the night, winning the Video of the Year award for “Humble,” and also earning the coveted VMA opening performance spotlight with a literally “fire” medley of “DNA” and “Humble”.
Lamar’s incendiary performance was followed by a “power to the people” speech by Paris Jackson, “Let’s leave here tonight remembering that we must show these Nazi, white supremacist jerks in Charlottesville and all over the country that as a nation with ‘liberty’ as our slogan, we have zero tolerance for their violence, their hatred and their discrimination. “We must resist.”
Both Lamar and Jackson set the politically-charged tone for a VMA night that took itself more seriously than usual.
The idea of social activism through the prism of the VMAs is a noble one considering the huge number of impressionistic eyeballs it attracts, but when you have pin-up rapper Cardi B shouting out “Colin Kaepernick” while fighting off a nip slip it can seem a bit ingenious — the message of support not the bare breast.
Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Host Katy Perry was there to provide some comic relief, but provided neither “comedy” nor “relief” with a bunch of stiff outfit gags and one note pop culture jokes.
Pink accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award after unleashing a fury of power ballads and a personal speech directed at her daughter and all those who feel out of place (like maybe those who actually listen to Pink? I kid, I kid).
The most poignant part of the VMAs was when Rev. Robert Wright Lee IV, a 24-year-old pastor and a descendent Confederate general Robert E. Lee, spoke out against racial injustice.
“We have made my ancestor an idol of white supremacy, racism and hate,” Lee said. “As a pastor it is my moral duty to speak out against racism, America’s original sin.”
Lee then introduced Susan Bro, mother of Heather Heyer, who was killed in Charlottesville while marching as a counter-protestor against a white supremacist rally seeking to stop the removal of the statue of General Robert E. Lee.
Bro announced the launch of a foundation named in honor of Heyer. MTV paid tribute to Heyer, by honoring all six of the videos nominated for the new category of best fight against the system (see the full list of MTV VMAs award winners below).
The 2017 VMA AWARD NOMINEES (WINNERS in BOLD):
Best Pop Video
Shawn Mendes – “Treat You Better”
Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You”
Harry Styles – “Sign Of The Times”
Fifth Harmony ft. Gucci Mane – “Down” – WINNER
Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley – “Chained To The Rhythm”
Miley Cyrus – “Malibu”
Best Dance Video
Afrojack ft. Ty Dolla $ign – “Gone”
Calvin Harris – “My Way”
Kygo x Selena Gomez – “It Ain’t Me”
Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber and MØ – “Cold Water”
Zedd and Alessia Cara – “Stay” – WINNER
Best Collaboration Video
Charlie Puth ft. Selena Gomez – “We Don’t Talk Anymore”
DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts”
D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty – “Broccoli”
The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey – “Closer”
Calvin Harris ft. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean – “Feels”
Zayn & Taylor Swift – “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker)” – WINNER
Best Hip Hop Video
Chance the Rapper – “Same Drugs”
DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne – “I’m The One”
D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty – “Broccoli”
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” – WINNER
Big Sean – “Bounce Back”
Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert – “Bad & Boujee”
Best New Artist
Julia Michaels
Khalid – WINNER
Kodak Black
Noah Cyrus
SZA
Young M.A
Song of Summer
Camila Cabello Feat. Quavo – “OMG”
Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi, Feat. Justin Bieber – “Despacito (Remix)”
DJ Khaled Feat. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts”
Fifth Harmony Feat. Gucci Mane – “Down” Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You”
Demi Lovato – “Sorry Not Sorry”
Shawn Mendes – “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back”
Lil Uzi Vert – “XO Tour Llif3” – WINNER
Video of the Year
Alessia Cara – “Scars To Your Beautiful”
Bruno Mars – “24K Magic”
DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts”
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” – WINNER
The Weeknd – “Reminder”
Artist of the Year
Ariana Grande
Bruno Mars
Kendrick Lamar
Lorde
Ed Sheeran – WINNER
The Weeknd
Best Fight Against the System
Logic ft. Damian Lemar Hudson – “Black SpiderMan” – WINNER
The Hamilton Mixtape – “Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)” – WINNER
Big Sean – “Light” – WINNER
Alessia Cara – “Scars To Your Beautiful” – WINNER
Taboo ft. Shailene Woodley – “Stand Up / Stand N Rock #NoDAPL” – WINNER
John Legend – “Surefire” – WINNER
Patrick Green is Crave’s music editor. Follow the LA-based writer/director’s tales, lies, and exaggerations @ByPatrickGreen on Twitter, Facebook, Vimeo, Instagram.
