MTV Video Music Awards: Camila Cabello Wins Top Honours, Madonna Pays Tribute to Franklin

Camila Cabello, the Cuban-American singer, and songwriter; earned fame as a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony. It was formed on the second season of the American edition of The X Factor in 2012

Camila Cabello won the Moon Man trophies for artist of the year and video of the year for the song “havana” at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). Camila Cabello was contending with rapper Drake and singer Childish Gambino. The Fifth Harmony singer, Cabello gave a “shoutout to all the amazing female artists this year” during her speech.

American singer; actress; dancer and producer Jennifer Lopez won the coveted Michael Jackson Vanguard Award for lifetime achievement.

The event was started by rapper Cardi B appearing onstage announcing herself to be “the empress” before introducing a show by singer Shawn Mendes. It was a muted start for the VMAs following on from last year’s politically charged opener from rapper Kendrick Lamar.

Cardi B picked up awards for best collaboration with Jennifer Lopez and DJ Khaled and best new artist. She said that before a couple of months people were saying that she was gambling her career by having a baby.

Singer Madonna wore a traditional African clothing in order to pay a tribute to the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin, who took her last breath on August 16. The ceremony did not include a much-expected musical respect, but instead, Madonna came onstage to share a story about how singing “You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman)” at an audition changed her life. But her tribute to the late star proved unpopular with many.

Major winners included rapper Nicki Minaj picking up best hip-hop video for “Chun-Li” and Post Malone for the song “Rockstar”. Also singer Ariana Grande won best pop video for “No tears left to cry”, thanking her fiance SNL star Pete Davidson “for existin.”

Avicii; one of the most popular DJ who died earlier in April; won a posthumous MTV Video Music Award for best dance song alongside Rita Ora for their collaboration “Lonely Together” here on Monday. The deceased electronic artist was only 28 years old.

Gambino’s “This is America” was named best video with a message and was honoured with prizes for choreography and direction.

And, Camila Cabello is now the New Dancing Queen of the MTV Video Music Awards.