The MTV Video Music Awards returned for a third time to Newark, bringing some of the biggest music stars under the roof of the Prudential Center.
The ‘Summer of Swift’ continues as Taylor Swift dominated the night, taking home nine awards including the coveted Video of the Year Award for her self-directed ‘Anti-Hero’ video. Her first award of the night was handed out to by members of NSYNC, a reunion that was the worst kept secret ahead of the show.
Other highlights included Newark’s own Wyclef Jean awarding Shakira the Video Vanguard Award, who also performed a medley of some of her biggest hits.
Alongside Shakira, Latina representation was on full display, as Karol G took the stage for her first VMA performance, and Anitta took home the Best Latin award.
Diddy also took home the Global Icon Award for his musical contribution over the past 30 years and put on an electric performance of some of his biggest hits.
The show also paid tribute to 50 years of Hip Hop with song snippets from some of the genre’s biggest artists which included Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five, LL Cool J, and Doug E. Fresh.
What many viewers didn’t realize is that the show ran out of time and ended abruptly, and 13 award categories were not announced on television, including Artist of the Year which featured a female-only nomination list. Taylor Swift ultimately snagged that award too.
