Famous Nigerian artists, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, and several other renowned African stars failed to secure wins at the highly anticipated MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), which took place in New York on Wednesday night. At the prestigious event, global music sensation Taylor Swift emerged as the top winner of the night, clinching the coveted Video of the Year award.
The electrifying event was hosted by the charismatic Megan Thee Stallion, who captivated the audience throughout the evening. The night kicked off in grand style with an unforgettable opening performance by iconic rapper Eminem, who was accompanied on stage by the dynamic Jelly Roll.
Additional performances came from artists like Camila Cabello, Chappell Roan, GloRilla, Rauw Alejandro, Lenny Kravitz, and Sabrina Carpenter.
Full list of winners at the 2024 MTV VMAs:VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)”Billie Eilish – “Lunch”Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red”Eminem – “Houdini”SZA – “Snooze”Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” *WINNER
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ariana GrandeBad BunnyEminemSabrina CarpenterSZATaylor Swift *WINNER
SONG OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé – “Texas Hold ‘Em”Jack Harlow – “Lovin On Me”Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” *WINNERTaylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”Teddy Swims – “Lose Control”
BEST NEW ARTIST
Benson BooneChappell Roan *WINNERGracie AbramsShaboozeyTeddy SwimsTyla
BEST COLLABORATION
Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy “GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion – “Wanna Be”Jessie Murph ft. Jelly Roll – “Wild Ones”Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven”Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen – “I Had Some Help”Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” *WINNER
BEST POP
Camila CabelloDua LipaOlivia RodrigoSabrina CarpenterTate McRaeTaylor Swift *WINNER
BEST HIP-HOP
Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy “Eminem – “Houdini” *WINNERGloRilla – “Yeah Glo!”Gunna – “Fukumean”Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA”Travis Scott ft. Playboi Carti – “FE!N”
BEST R&B
Alicia Keys – “Lifeline”Muni Long – “Made For Me”SZA – “Snooze” *WINNERTyla – “Water”Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – “Good Good” –Victoria Monét – “On My Mama”
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things” *WINNERBleachers – “Tiny Moves”Hozier – “Too Sweet”Imagine Dragons – “Eyes Closed”Linkin Park – “Friendly Fire”Teddy Swims – “Lose Control (Live)”
BEST ROCK
Bon Jovi – “Legendary”Coldplay – “Feelslikeimfallinginlove”Green Day – “Dilemma”Kings of Leon – “Mustang”Lenny Kravitz – “Human” *WINNERU2 – “Atomic City”
BEST LATIN
Anitta – “Mil Veces” *WINNERBad Bunny – “Monaco”Karol G – “Mi Ex Tenia Razon”Myke Towers – “Lala”Peso Pluma & Anitta – “Bellakeo”Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky”Shakira & Cardi B – “Puntería”
BEST AFROBEATS
Ayra Starr ft. Giveon – “Last Heartbreak Song”Burna Boy – “City Boys”Chris Brown ft. Davido & Lojay – “Sensational”Tems – “Love Me JeJe”Tyla – “Water” *WINNERUsher, Pheelz – “Ruin”
BEST K-POP
Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven”Lisa – “Rockstar” *WINNERNCT Dream – “Smoothie”NewJeans – “Super Shy”Stray Kids – “Lalalala”Tomorrow X Together – “Deja vu”
VIDEO FOR GOOD
Alexander Stewart – “If You Only Knew”Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For (From the Motion Picture “Barbie”)” *WINNERColdplay – “Feelslikeimfallinginlove”Joyner Lucas & Jelly Roll – “Best for Me”Raye – “Genesis”Tyler Childers – “In Your Love”
BEST DIRECTION
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Directed by Christian BreslauerBleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Directed by Alex Lockett & Margaret QualleyEminem – “Houdini” – Directed by Rich LeeMegan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Directed by Daniel Iglesias Jr.Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Directed by Bardia ZeinaliTaylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Directed by Taylor Swift *WINNER
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Cinematography by Anatol Trofimov *WINNERCharli XCX – “Von Dutch” – Cinematography by Jeff BiermanDua Lipa – “Illusion” – Cinematography by Nikita KuzmenkoOlivia Rodrigo – “Obsessed” – Cinematography by Marz MillerRauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Cinematography by Camilo MonsalveTaylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto
BEST EDITING
Anitta – “Mil Veces” – Editing by Nick YumulAriana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Editing by Luis Caraza PeimbertEminem – “Houdini” – Editing by David ChecelLisa – “Rockstar” – Editing by Nik KohlerSabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” – Editing by Jai ShuklaTaylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Editing by Chancler Haynes *WINNER
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Choreography by Margaret QualleyDua Lipa – “Houdini” – Choreography by Charm La’Donna *WINNERLisa – “Rockstar” – Choreography by Sean BankheadRauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Choreography by Felix ‘Fefe’ BurgosTate McRae – “Greedy” – Choreography by Sean BankheadTroye Sivan – “Rush” – Choreography by Sergio Reis, Mauro Van De Kerkhof
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Ariana Grande – “The Boy is Mine” – Visual Effects by Digital AxisEminem – “Houdini” – Visual Effects by Synapse Virtual Production, Louise Lee, Rich Lee, Metaphysic, Flawless Post *WINNERJustin Timberlake – “Selfish” – Visual Effects by Candice DragonasMegan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Visual Effects by MathematicOlivia Rodrigo – “Get Him Back!” – Visual Effects by Cooper Vacheron, Preston Mohr, Karen Arakelian, Justin JohnsonTaylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Visual Effects by Parliament
BEST ART DIRECTION
Charli XCX – “360” – Art Direction by Grace SurnowLisa – “Rockstar” – Art Direction by Pongsan ThawatwichianMegan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Art Direction by Brittany Porter *WINNEROlivia Rodrigo – “Bad Idea Right?” – Art Direction by Nicholas des JardinsSabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Art Direction by Nicholas des JardinsTaylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Art Direction by Ethan Tobman