The VMAs are known for their spectacle. From Kanye's infamous interruption to Nicki's "Miley, what's good?" there's always something to talk about at the end of the night. As far as controversies go, this year's event was pretty clean of beef or provocation, but on the whole, it was one of the more consistent shows in recent years. Great performances, video premieres, awkward interactions, and a whole lot of memes defined the night, so we've gone back through and found 8 of our favourite moments. Let us know what you liked and didn't like in the comments below.
Michael Phelps Listens To "Stick Talk"
Michael Phelps reveals he was listening to Future's "Stick Talk" in that infamous viral photo.
Phelps took home 5 gold medals at the Rio games, but he didn't do it alone. Introducing Future's performance, the decorated athlete had some high praise for the Atlanta's most prolific artist. "There's no rapper today more inspiring today than Future," he said, before finally clearing up the history behind his unforgettable meme. "Remember in Rio when I made that face that ended up all over the internet? I was in the zone with Future's track, "Stick Talk," blaring in my headphones."
#VMAs: Michael Phelps introduces Future https://t.co/P3hkhhoKsk pic.twitter.com/gjTI0ZwXDl
Michael Phelps talk that stick talk. pic.twitter.com/wyO02OTivl
Future Does "Commas" With A Live Band
Future reinvents "Commas" with a live band
"Commas," which was originally released in 2014, seemed like a strange choice for Future, but its live band presentation made it all worthwhile. Future is often known to use a simple DJ/backing track set-up when performing, but his take on "March Madness" with some live instrumentation on a recent episode of SNL proved that the style suits him. While "Commas" didn't quite reach those heights, it did benefit from the keys of Zaytoven, impeccably-styled dancers, and some inspired stage presence from the rapper.
Kanye Speech
Kanye delivers another memorable speech
Kanye was promised 4 minutes to do whatever the hell he wanted at this year's awards, a savvy move by MTV after his speech at last year's awards was such a conversation starter.
"I came here to present my new video, but before I do that, I’mma talk," he said in his opening comments, and talk he did. Ye covered a variety of topics in his speech, covering both violence in Chicago and his recent feud with Taylor Swift in a short span of time, but it was all to prove a larger point of unity. "If you think about last week, there were 22 people murdered in Chicago," he said. "You know, like, people come up to me like, 'Yeah, that's right! Take Taylor!' But bro, like, I love all y'all. That's why I called her!"
He went on to look around the room and applaud the talent he saw before him. "I'm standing in front of my idol, Puff Daddy. I'm standing in front of my wife, Kim Kardashian West. I'm standing in front of the future: Chance the Rapper, 2 Chainz, Jaden Smith. Bro, we are undeniably the influence, the thought leaders. I'm gonna play y'all a piece of my art, and I just hope y'all have a good time."
Watch the full speech below.
Teyana Taylor Slays In "FADE" Video
Teyana Taylor Slays In Kanye West's "FADE" Video
Following Kanye West's speech, he came through with a surprise screening of his video for "FADE," but the moment was not about Kanye at all -- but rather GOOD Music signee Teyana Taylor, who performed the central dance routine in the sweaty, tense clip. The clip follows Teyana performing some impressively choreographed moves in a thong before, hitting the showers with her fiance, and NBA Champion, Iman Shumpert. In classic Kanye style, the final frames of the video get a whole lot weirder, as Teyana transforms into a cat-like creature, as her, Shumpert, and their new baby, find themselves surrounded by a herd of sheep inside the gym. It's got men and women alike scheduling workouts today.
KANYE WEST x FADEhttps://t.co/8wI3NFVeDk
Desiigner Gets Memed
Desiigner gets memed with style
Desiigner did not perform at the VMAs, but he provided plenty of entertainment from the audience. The rapper was cut to a few times, and of course, the internet ran with his reactions, turning them into memes, particularly his face when Future was performing. On top of inspiring countless captions, Desiigner was named among the best dressed by Vogue. All in all, he had a pretty good night.
Dying at Desiigner's reaction to Future pic.twitter.com/9zd96jb3Dq
lmaooo desiigner trying hard not to dab it hurts pic.twitter.com/XD2DigoCHP
DESIIGNER LOOKED AT FUTURE LIKE HE JUST SEEN GOD
Desiigner watching Future perform pic.twitter.com/x60M0NHcuM
desiigner out here speaking cursive pic.twitter.com/adffRLjSPr
It was the up-and-coming style stars who really caught our eye this year, including @lifeofdesiigner: https://t.co/tCgNlAQs5P
Rihanna Comes Correct On The Ballad Section
Rihanna brings down the house in her final performance
Rihanna performed four separate times throughout the night. While she wowed with her tight choreography and set design in act her durag-donning whining in act 2, things got a little pitchy in act 3, but she bounced back in a huge way by the show's end, saving her best performance for last. The finale was a selection of ballad, allowing Rihanna to focus entirely on her vocals, settling into her comfortable tenor as she sewed together a medley of "Stay," Diamonds," and recent live favorite, "Love On The Brain," easily making for one of the most powerful performances of the night.
Rihanna "Curves" Drake
Rihanna "curves" Drake, or does she?
Drake presented Rihanna with the Video Vanguard award, giving a very nice speech that included the surprising admission, "She's someone who I've been in love with since I was 22 years old." When he handed over the award there was a brief moment that seemed like Drizzy may have been going for a kiss, but was deflected by Rih. Naturally, the internet ran with it in a series of memes, and multiple angles have suggested that perhaps it wasn't actually the curve it's been made out to be. Either way, Drake made a point of posting a cuddly picture of himself and Rihanna on Instagram later Sunday night in case there was any confusion.
I got that big ass billboard, stole Party's best song for her, learned patois and for what? All for no ting. pic.twitter.com/LlIbPdnHHD
She did kiss him RT @AlessaFenty: 😭😭😭😭😭 #AUBRIH #VMAS pic.twitter.com/jutEovi40O
Drake and Rihanna backstage. pic.twitter.com/rSOoZsL8pi
drake your enthusiasm pic.twitter.com/qSoLH7AWS4
Beyonce Steals The Show
Beyonce steals the show with her "Lemonade" performance
While Rihanna was being honored with the vanguard award, she unfortunately could not top Beyonce's scene-stealing Lemonade Medley. In the middle of her Formation tour, Bey was incredibly well-rehearsed, delivering her complex performance with remarkable precision, even interacting with the camera (at one point swinging a bat at it and dropping the slugger in perfect frame). Costume changes and scene-setting came a mile a minute, and all the while, Bey nailed every note, climaxing with her screamed take on "Don't Hurt Yourself."