MTV VMA 2016: Beyoncé wins 21 awards, Drake is in love with Rihanna, Britney Spears is back

Beyoncé made history at the 2016 Video Music Awards by winning 22 moonmen (the VMA award statuette) and surpassed the queen of pop Madonna’s legacy of 20 wins. The MTV VMAs, which were held in New York City’s Madison Square Garden for the first time, had one of the biggest performances line-ups in award show history with Beyoncé, Rihanna and Britney taking the stage. Here are a few highlights from the awards and a list of winners in the popular categories at the end: Beyoncé’s performance and historic win [caption id=“attachment_2981916” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Beyonce accepts her award at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden on August 28, 2016 in New York City. Image courtesy: Getty Images[/caption] Beyoncé performed a full medley from her visual album Lemonade that was appreciated by the entire arena. The highlight of the performance was her rendition of Warsan Shire’s poetry from Lemonade, reminding everyone that the album is as deeply emotional as it is catchy. The singer won 21 VMAs in categories ranging from Best Female Video, Video of the Year to more technical categories like Best Cinematography for ‘Formation’. Britney is back [caption id=“attachment_2981912” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Britney performs onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden on August 28, 2016 in New York City. Image courtesy: Getty Images[/caption] Britney Spears is back in a big way. After the disastrous performance of ‘Gimme More’ in 2007, the singer is back with her ninth album Glory. The pop-star performed her new single ‘Make Me’ with rapper G-Eazy to give it back to her critics and we want to say she succeeded bigtime. Rihanna performs and wins the Vanguard Award [caption id=“attachment_2981930” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  performs onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden on August 28, 2016 in New York City. Image courtesy: Getty Images[/caption] Rihanna had four performances lined-up throughout the night. She kicked-off the show with a medley of her popular songs like ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ and ‘Only Girl (In the World).’ The second performance had her dancing to her iconic songs like ‘Rude Boy’, ‘Work’ and ‘What’s My Name’. Next, she explored ‘Needed Me’, ‘Pour It Up’ and ‘Bitch Better Have My Money’, in a black leotard, knee-high boots and  purple boa flung across her shoulder. For her finale, Rihanna belted her biggest ballads ‘Stay’, ‘Diamonds’ and  ‘Love on the Brain’. The highlight of the evening was Rihanna receiving the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award. The Video Vanguard Award, also known as the Lifetime Achievement Award, is given to musicians who have made a profound effect on the MTV culture, honoring an artist’s body of work. Drake, who was presenting the award, told the story of meeting Rihanna back in 2005 when she was shooting the video for her song ‘Pon de Replay’. Eleven years later, he said, she’s still the same—and has made her mark on the world of music, fashion and video. “She succeeds by doing something that no one in this music industry does, which is being herself,” he said, adding: “She’s someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22 years old.” The crowd whooped at his open adoration, while Rihanna just smiled coyly. Here is the clip of the video:

No Funny Bone Though the VMAs did not have a traditional host this year, comedians Key and Peele were drafted as play-by-play commentators for the show. They played characters @TheShamester and @LizardSheeple who commented on the VMAs broadcast, which began with Rihanna’s performance. Their brand of humor, however, seemed at a disconnect with the teenage crowd who attends the show. Talk Show host Jimmy Fallon’s soliloquy ‘in character’ as Ryan Lochte (the disgraced Olympic Swimmer) was also met with lukewarm response.

"I couldn't tell you even if there was a gun to my head." 🙊#VMAs https://t.co/L55barVLKU

— MTV (@MTV) August 29, 2016

Kanye West pulls a Kanye West

Kanye West had been given four minutes of airtime to do whatever he wanted spoke at some length along similar lines to last year’s speech, then presented his new music video to the audience. The summary of the four minutes is as follows: We know Kanye West still hates Taylor Swift (he walked out on stage with his song ‘Famous’ playing in the background), loves his wife Kim Kardashian and ranks himself amongst the likes of ‘Truman, Ford, Jobs’. Other big winners of the music gala included Calvin Harris, Fifth Harmony and Drake. Late David Bowie was posthumously rewarded as the singer’s album Blackstar won the Best Art Direction accolade. Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj and Nick Jonas were among other notable performers. Video of the Year: Adele – ‘Hello’ Beyoncé - ‘Formation’ (WINNER) Drake - ‘Hotline Bling’ Justin Bieber - ‘Sorry’ Kanye West - ‘Famous’ Best Female Video: Adele - ‘Hello’ Beyoncé – ‘Hold Up’ (WINNER) Sia – ‘Cheap Thrills’ Ariana Grande – ‘Into You’ Rihanna ft. Drake – ‘Work’ Best Male Video: Drake - ‘Hotline Bling’ Bryson Tiller - ‘Don’t’ Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna - ‘This Is What You Came For’ (WINNER) Kanye West - ‘Famous’ The Weeknd - ‘Can’t Feel My Face’ Best Collaboration: Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar - ‘Freedom’ Fifth Harmony ft. Ty Dolla $ign - ‘Work From Home’ (WINNER) Ariana Grande ft. Lil Wayne - ‘Let Me Love You’ Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna - ‘This Is What You Came For’ Rihanna ft. Drake - ‘Work’ (short version) Best Hip Hop Video: Drake - ‘Hotline Bling’ (WINNER) Desiigner - ‘Panda’ Bryson Tiller - ‘Don’t’ Chance The Rapper - ‘Angels’ 2 Chainz - ‘Watch Out’ Best Pop Video: Adele - ‘Hello’ Beyoncé - ‘Formation’ (WINNER) Justin Bieber - ‘Sorry’ Alessia Cara - ‘Wild Things’ Ariana Grande - ‘Into You’ Best Rock Video: All Time Low - ‘Missing You’ Coldplay – ‘Adventure Of A Lifetime’ Fall Out Boy ft. Demi Lovato – ‘Irresistible’ twenty one pilots – ‘Heathens’ (WINNER) Panic! At The Disco – ‘Victorious’ (With agency inputs)