She opened the night’s festivities with “Don’t Stop the Music” and “Only Girl (In the World)”, later performing “Rude Boy”, “What’s My Name”, “Work“, “Pour It Up”, “Diamonds” and the soulful “Love on the Brain”. “And when it comes to fashion and style, she makes it seem so effortless until you try to do it yourself, which is when it gets a little awkward”. “I dedicate this award to the people of New Orleans”.
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Drake was the flawless choice to present RiRi with her award, as the two have a number of hits together (“What’s My Name, “Take Care”, “Work“, “Too Good”), as well as a rumored on-again, off-again romance”.
Drake praised Rihanna’s work in her songs, videos and performances, but put more emphasis on the kind of person she is saying while some artists “need to play a character” or “play down their natural instincts”, Rihanna “has surpassed the competition by being the same woman from Barbados with the same friends”.
Drake won best hip hop video for “Hotline Bling” and Calvin Harris won best male video for “This is What You Came For”.
But the biggest moment for Rihanna came when Drake – in a tuxedo – presented the award to his former girlfriend. “Most of all, we love the woman who hasn’t changed…she’s someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22 years old”, he admitted during his speech. Puff Daddy, who presented the award, said Drake was stuck in traffic. There’s so much growth that’s happened over the last 11 years, and I can’t believe I’m receiving a Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at 28 years old. David Bowie – who died from cancer earlier this year – received four nominations for “Lazarus” and won best art direction. Beyonce’s wins included best female video, pop video, breakthrough long-form video, choreography, direction, cinematography and editing.
Jimmy Fallon introduced the top nominees and dressed as Ryan Lochte, with platinum blonde hair.
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Adele was behind Beyonce with eight nominations, but the British singer did not attend the show.
