This year it was awarded to Rihanna, who split up her performances throughout the night.
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Rihanna took to the stage for four performances throughout the evening to celebrate her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
The 29-year-old rapper won the Best Hip Hop Video accolade for his song “Hotline Bling” at Madison Square Garden in NY but was unable to collect his prize as he was held up. The song was Pon de Replay and the director of the video was Little X. The pop star performed her new single, “Make Me” with G-Easy.
But the biggest moment for Rihanna came when Drake – in a tuxedo – presented the award to his former girlfriend. “But 11 years later they still all know Rihanna as the one and only Rihanna”.
Performers included Nick Jonas, The Chainsmokers, Ty Dollar $ign and Ariana Grande, who brought spin class to the VMA stage when she sang the reggae-tinged “Side to Side” with Nicki Minaj.
Drake, who melted hearts into goo after revealing on stage he’s been in love with Rih since he was 22 years old, must have thought the same thing: They were seen arriving at the party together.
The odd, sexy video was the talk of Twitter with plenty of women and men gaping over her incredible figure, which is all the more incredible because she gave birth to her daughter less than a year ago.
“All of my adult life I’ve looked up to her even though she’s younger than me”.
Rihanna onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.
He handed her the trophy with a hug and simple kiss on the cheek, before the singer then gave her acceptance speech.
Throughout the almost three-hour telecast, Rihanna brought down the house as she performed a medley of her biggest hits, including “Don’t Stop the Music”, “Only Girl in the World”, “We Found Love”, “Where Have You Been”, “Rude Boy”, “What’s My Name”, “Work”, “Needed Me”, “Pour It Up”, “Bitch Better Have My Money”, “Stay”, “Diamonds” and “Love on the Brain”.
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Drake was so proud of Rihanna that he decided it was worthy of a billboard advert.
