The 2018 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) returned to New York City’s Radio City Music Hall this year. It came complete with performances from chart-topping artists, nostalgic entertainment, and plenty of tabloid-feeding drama. But behind all of the pomp and glitz were several shining moments in the MTV VMAs that proved music videos have the potential to stand the test of time and memorialize the history-in-the-making events of our time.
Here are the biggest moments you may have missed:
Logic makes a statement
Logic, along with co-performer Ryan Tedder, used his time on-stage to send a message. Surrounded by children wearing “We are all human beings” shirts, the rapper made a not-so-subtle statement regarding recent immigration issues.
Childish Gambino takes home the “Video with a Message” Moonperson
Though Donald Glover (a.k.a. Childish Gambino) was not in-house to accept his awards for “Video With a Message,” “Best Direction,” and “Best Choreography.” His powerful video, which addressed gun violence and racial oppression, became one of the biggest winners of the evening.
JLo reflects on her journey
Accepting the “Video Vanguard” award for her career, Jennifer Lopez took to the stage to perform a set complete with her biggest hits. From “Waiting for Tonight” and “Jenny from the Block,” to “All I Have” and her latest, “Dinero,” the icon underwent multiple costume changes and sets to showcase her most memorable songs and videos.
Maluma hits the VMAs stage for the very first time
The hit-making Colombian singer whose song “Felices Los 4” is one of the most-watched videos and has amassed a whopping 1.3 billion views on YouTube made his VMAs debut, bringing the crowd to its feet, including VMA winner Camila Cabello, who danced along to the entire performance.
Main image via MTV
