Entertainment
MTV VMAs 2021 Winners: See the Full List Here
The 2021 MTV Video Music Awards aired live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Hosted by Doja Cat, the program featured performances from Video of the Year award winner Lil Nas X, Normani, Kacey Musgraves, and more. See the full list of winners below.
Justin Bieber was up for the most awards with seven nominations for “Holy,” “Peaches,” and his appearance in DJ Khaled’s “Popstar” video. He won two awards: Artist of the Year and Best Pop. Megan Thee Stallion had six nominations, including four for her Cardi B collaboration “WAP,” but did not take home any awards. Olivia Rodrigo performed “Good 4 U” at the VMAs and won three awards: Best New Artist, Push Performance of the Year, and Song of the Year (for “Drivers License”).
Returning to a live audience format, the 40th anniversary edition of the awards show features a new Moon Person designed by Kehinde Wiley. Follow all of Pitchfork’s coverage of the 2021 MTV VMAs.
Video of the Year
Cardi B: “WAP” [ft. Megan Thee Stallion]
DJ Khaled / Drake: “Popstar” (Starring Justin Bieber)
Doja Cat: “Kiss Me More” [ft. SZA]
Ed Sheeran: “Bad Habits”
WINNER: Lil Nas X: “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”
The Weeknd: “Save Your Tears”
Artist of the Year
Ariana Grande
Doja Cat
WINNER: Justin Bieber
Megan Thee Stallion
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift
Song of the Year
24kGoldn: “Mood” [ft. Iann Dior]
BTS: “Dynamite”
Cardi B: “WAP” [ft. Megan Thee Stallion]
Dua Lipa: “Levitating”
WINNER: Olivia Rodrigo: “Drivers License”
Bruno Mars / Anderson .Paak / Silk Sonic: “Leave the Door Open”
Best New Artist, Presented by Facebook
24kGoldn
Giveon
The Kid Laroi
WINNER: Olivia Rodrigo
Polo G
Saweetie
Group of the Year
Blackpink
WINNER: BTS
CNCO
Foo Fighters
Jonas Brothers
Maroon 5
Bruno Mars / Anderson .Paak / Silk Sonic
Twenty One Pilots
Push Performance of the Year
September 2020: Wallows – “Are You Bored Yet?”
October 2020: Ashnikko – “Daisy”
November 2020: Saint Jhn – “Gorgeous”
December 2020: 24kGoldn – “Coco”
January 2021: JC Stewart – “Break My Heart”
February 2021: Latto – “Sex Lies”
March 2021: Madison Beer – “Selfish”
April 2021: The Kid Laroi – “Without You”
WINNER: May 2021: Olivia Rodrigo – “Drivers License”
June 2021: Girl in Red – “Serotonin”
July 2021: Fousheé – “my slime”
August 2021: Jxdn – “Think About Me”
Best Collaboration
24kGoldn: “Mood” [ft. Iann dior]
Cardi B: “WAP” [ft. Megan Thee Stallion]
WINNER: Doja Cat: “Kiss Me More” [ft. SZA]
Drake: “Laugh Now Cry Later” [ft. Lil Durk]
Justin Bieber: “Peaches” [ft. Daniel Caesar and Giveon]
Miley Cyrus: “Prisoner” [ft. Dua Lipa]
Best Pop
Ariana Grande: “Positions”
Billie Eilish: “Therefore I Am”
BTS: “Butter”
Harry Styles: “Treat People With Kindness”
WINNER: Justin Bieber: “Peaches” [ft. Daniel Caesar and Giveon]
Olivia Rodrigo: “Good 4 U”
Shawn Mendes: “Wonder”
Taylor Swift: “Willow”
Best Hip-Hop
Cardi B: “WAP” [ft. Megan Thee Stallion]
Drake: “Laugh Now Cry Later” [ft. Lil Durk]
Lil Baby: “On Me (Remix)” [ft. Megan Thee Stallion]
Moneybagg Yo: “Said Sum”
Polo G: “Rapstar”
WINNER: Travis Scott: “Franchise” [ft. Young Thug and M.I.A.]
Best Rock
Evanescence: “Use My Voice”
Foo Fighters: “Shame Shame”
WINNER: John Mayer: “Last Train Home”
The Killers: “My Own Soul’s Warning”
Kings of Leon: “The Bandit”
Lenny Kravitz: “Raise Vibration”
Best Alternative
Bleachers: “Stop Making This Hurt”
Glass Animals: “Heat Waves”
Imagine Dragons: “Follow You”
WINNER: Machine Gun Kelly: “My Ex’s Best Friend” [ft. Blackbear]
Twenty One Pilots: “Shy Away”
Willow: “Transparent Soul” [ft. Travis Barker]
Best Latin
Bad Bunny / Jhay Cortez: “Dákiti”
WINNER: Billie Eilish / Rosalía: “Lo Vas a Olvidar”
Black Eyed Peas / Shakira: “Girl Like Me”
J Balvin / Dua Lipa / Bad Bunny / Tainy: “Un Dia (One Day)”
Karol G: “Bichota”
Maluma: “Hawái”
Best R&B
Beyoncé / Blue Ivy / Saint Jhn / WizKid: “Brown Skin Girl”
Chris Brown / Young Thug: “Go Crazy”
Giveon: “Heartbreak Anniversary”
H.E.R.: “Come Through” [ft. Chris Brown]
WINNER: Bruno Mars / Anderson .Paak / Silk Sonic: “Leave the Door Open”
SZA: “Good Days”
Best K-Pop
(G)I-dle: “Dumdi Dumdi”
Blbackpink / Selena Gomez: “Ice Cream”
WINNER: BTS: “Butter”
Monsta X: “Gambler”
Seventeen: “Ready to Love”
Twice: “Alcohol-Free”
Song of Summer
Billie Eilish: “Happier Than Ever”
WINNER: BTS: “Butter”
Camila Cabello: “Don’t Go Yet”
DJ Khaled: “Every Chance I Get” [ft. Lil Baby and Lil Durk]
Doja Cat: “Need to Know”
Dua Lipa: “Levitating”
Ed Sheeran: “Bad Habits”
Giveon: “Heartbreak Anniversary”
Justin Bieber: “Peaches” [ft. Daniel Caesar and Giveon]
The Kid Laroi / Justin Bieber: “Stay”
Lil Nas X / Jack Harlow: “Industry Baby”
Lizzo: “Rumors” [ft. Cardi B]
Megan Thee Stallion: “Thot Shit”
Normani: “Wild Side” [ft. Cardi B]
Olivia Rodrigo: “Good 4 U”
Shawn Mendes / Tainy: “Summer of Love”
Video for Good
WINNER: Billie Eilish: “Your Power”
Demi Lovato: “Dancing With the Devil”
H.E.R.: “Fight for You”
Kane Brown: “Worldwide Beautiful”
Lil Nas X: “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”
Pharrell Williams: “Entrepreneur” [ft. Jay-Z]
Best Direction
Billie Eilish: “Your Power” (dir. Billie Eilish)
DJ Khaled ft. Drake: “Popstar” (dir. Director X)
WINNER: Lil Nas X: “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” (dir. Lil Nas X and Tanu Muino)
Taylor Swift: “Willow” (dir. Taylor Swift)
Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A: “Franchise” (dir. Travis Scott)
Tyler, the Creator: “Lumberjack” (dir. Wolf Haley)
Best Cinematography
WINNER: Beyoncé / Blue Ivy / Saint Jhn / WizKid: “Brown Skin Girl” (cinematography: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, MOHAMMAED ATTA AHMED, Santiago Gonzalez, Ryan Helfant)
Billie Eilish: “Therefore I Am” (cinematography: Rob Witt)
Foo Fighters: “Shame Shame” (cinematography: Santiago Gonzalez)
Justin Bieber ft. Chance the Rapper: “Holy” (cinematography: Elias Talbot)
Lady Gaga: “911” (cinematography: Jeff Cronenweth)
Lorde: “Solar Power” (cinematography: Andrew Stroud)
Best Art Direction
Beyoncé / Shatta Wale / Major Lazer: “Already” (art direction: Susan Linns, Gerard Santos)
Ed Sheeran: “Bad Habits” (art direction: Alison Dominitz)
Lady Gaga: “911” (art direction: Tom Foden, Peter Andrus)
Lil Nas X: “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” (art direction: John Richoux)
WINNER: Saweetie ft. Doja Cat: “Best Friend” (art direction: Art Haynes)
Taylor Swift: “Willow” (art direction: Ethan Tobman, Regina Fernandez)
Best Visual Effects
Bella Poarch: “Build a Bitch” (visual effects: Andrew Donoho, Denhov Visuals, Denis Strahhov, Rein Jakobson, Vahur Kuusk, Tatjana Pavlik, Yekaterina Vetrova)
Coldplay: “Higher Power” (visual effects: Mathematic)
Doja Cat / The Weeknd: “You Right” (visual effects: La Pac, Anthony Lestremau, Julien Missaire, Petr Shkolniy, Alexi Bailla, Micha Sher, Antoine Hache, Mikros MPC, Nicolas Huget, Guillaume Ho Tsong Fang, Benjamin Lenfant, Stephane Pivron, MPC Bangalore, Chanakya Chander, Raju Ganesh, David Rouxel)
Glass Animals: “Tangerine” (visual effects: Ronan Fourreau)
WINNER: Lil Nas X: “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” (visual effects: Mathematic)
P!nk: “All I Know So Far” (visual effects: Dave Meyers, Freenjoy Inc)
Best Choreography
Ariana Grande: “34+35” (choreography: Brian Nicholson & Scott Nicholson)
BTS: “Butter” (choreography: SON SUNG DEUK With BHM PERFORMANCE DIRECTING TEAM)
Ed Sheeran: “Bad Habits” (choreography: Natricia Bernard)
Foo Fighters: “Shame Shame” (choreography: Nina McNeely)
WINNER: Harry Styles: “Treat People With Kindness” (choreography: Paul Roberts)
Marshmello / Halsey: “Be Kind” (choreography: Dani Vitale)
Best Editing
BTS: “Butter” (editing: Yong Seok Choi from Lumpens)
Drake: “What’s Next” (editing: Noah Kendal)
Harry Styles: “Treat People With Kindness” (editing: Claudia Wass)
Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon: “Peaches” (editing: Mark Mayr, Vinnie Hobbs)
Miley Cyrus ft. Dua Lipa: “Prisoner” (editing: William Town at Modern Post)
WINNER: Bruno Mars / Anderson .Paak / Silk Sonic: “Leave the Door Open” (editing: Troy Charbonnet)
U.S. Global Icon Award
Foo Fighters
Best Breakthrough Song
Masked Wolf: “Astronaut in the Ocean”
WINNER: Claire Rosinkranz: “Backyard Boy”
Bella Poarch: “Build a B*tch”
Yung Baby Tate: “I Am” [ft. Flo Milli]
Whoheem: “Let’s Link”
Best Comeback Song
WINNER: Aly & AJ: “Potential Breakup Song”
Destiny’s Child: “Bills, Bills, Bills”
Fleetwood Mac: “Dreams”
Simple Plan: “I’m Just a Kid”
Boney M.: “Rasputin”
Missy Elliott: “Work It”
Best Artist x Creator Collab
WINNER: Mustard Watermelon by @Lizzo x @yayayayummy
“Blackbird” Duet by @joejonas x @itsbenhorsburgh
Fan Duet by @charlieputh x @jvke
Soup Song by @johnmayer x @itsjamiebiotch
Mom It Was Never a Phase by @alltimelow x @yungricepatty
“Unwritten” Dance by @natashabedingfield x @rony_boyy
Best Audio Mashup
WINNER: “Shaxicula” (“Toxic” x “Love Shack” x “Dragula”) by Britney Spears / The B-52’s / Rob Zombie x @djcummerbund
“Baby One More Time x Levitating” by Britney Spears / Dua Lipa x @adamusic_
“Castaways x Dilemma” by The Backyardigans / Nelly ft. Kelly Rowland x @djbabyq
“Good 4 U x Misery Business” by Olivia Rodrigo / Paramore x @nikjaay
“Watermelon Sugar x Seaside” by Harry Styles / SEB x @SEBS_LOVESONGS
Best Viral Dance
WINNER: “Twerkulator” by City Girls x @layzchipz
“Adderall (Corvette Corvette)” by Popp Hunna x @yvnggprince
“Gimme More” by Britney Spears x @jaedengomezz & @karaleighcannella
“Ooowwweee” by Peewee Longway & Money Man x @thats.so.bre
“Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion x @keke.janajah
“Up” by Cardi B x @theemyanicole and @cchrvs
Source: News365
In other news – Bonang Matheba Slays At The VMAs – Photos
Bonang Matheba breaks the internet once again with her stunning looks at the 2021 VMA‘s, which took place on Sunday evening in New York City at the Barclays Centre.
Queen B slayed the red carpet wearing a sparkly Dolce and Gabbana outfit. Learn more
A civil society organisation, The Osun Masterminds, TOM, has urged President Bola Tinubu to end the floatation of the Naira and revert to a Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, guided pricing that will be devoid of corruption and the sharp practices that characterised the apex bank under Godwin Emefiele. TOM also demanded a return of subsidy on petrol until a time in the future, when proper structures have been put in place to manage the consequences of total deregulation.
These demands formed part of the address of TOM’s September State of the State address on Saturday.Delivering these demands, the Executive Director of TOM, Prof Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli added that the Federal Government should “put more resources into strategic subsidies for common Nigerians instead of sharing more money to the States, which end up financing the reckless lifestyle of many of the Governors”.
The group held that before the removal of fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, the government was expected to follow up with several proactive measures that will keep the possible implications in check.
“Part of the implications that we foresaw, was rising costs of commodities, due to rising costs of transportation, occasioned by rising costs of petrol. We expected that policies that would counteract these fall-outs would hastily be implemented, to protect Nigerians from the hardship we experience today.
“To make matters worse, the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, also decided to float the Naira, leaving it to the whims and caprices of market manipulators, speculators, and hawks. While a market-driven pricing of the Naira would be ideal, the peculiarities of our character as Nigerians, soon negated whatever possible good outcomes we could get.
“The Foreign Exchange rate dealt a huge blow on the common man, because Nigeria has remained as export dependent as it always was before the floating of the Naira.
“In fact, we dare say that Nigeria’s export dependence has worsened when we compare a 2.4% annual population growth, with a meagre 1.8% Agriculture value growth. This would simply mean that our numbers are increasing faster than our capacity to feed ourselves. This is a reality we are sure the Federal Government is aware of.
“Another fact that underscores the direct effect of the Foreign Exchange rate on the average Nigerian, is our heavy dependence on the warring states of Russia and Ukraine, for two major agricultural value chain inputs, that is Fertilizer, and Wheat.
“So, while we continue to depend more on the rest of the world to feed us, foreign exchange rates spiraled out of control with currency depreciation increasing import costs, while transportation costs locally, completed the pummeling of Nigerians and our economy,” the group added.
Source: Dailypost
American singer, Lady Gaga has revealed why she chose to ignore rumours that she’s a transgender. Speaking in an interview with Variety, Gaga disclosed that she chose not to address the rumours because she didn’t want to make being transgender seem shameful.
“I didn’t feel like a victim with that lie and I thought: What about a kid who is being accused of that who would think that a public figure like me would feel shame?
I’ve been in situations where fixing a rumour was not in the best interest and the well-being of other people,” she explained. Lady Gaga recently announced her engagement to her French boyfriend, Michael Polansky.
The singer revealed that it was her mom who introduced her to her fiancé.The Bad Romance singer mentioned how she “didn’t feel like a victim” amid the swirling claims and, therefore, didn’t feel the need to address the rumour until she finally cleared the air on the Netflix show that premiered on Wednesday.
Lady Gaga addresses ‘man’ rumours
“The reason I didn’t answer the question was because I didn’t feel like a victim with that lie,” Gaga told Gates in his new series as she made her way to the OTT stage. “But I thought about, what about a kid that’s being accused of that, that would think that a public figure like me would feel shame,” she continued.
The pop star recalled times when she was plagued by such claims and frequently questioned in press conferences about doctored pictures on the internet and rumours that she was a man. In 2011, she told CNN, “Why the hell am I going to waste my time and give a press release about whether or not I have a penis? My fans don’t care and neither do I.
Source: People
Famous Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, has expressed comfort with public perceptions about him. The actor in a recent Instagram post on his page, noted that he will not compromise his principles, even if it means being misunderstood.
Jim Iyke explained that his decision to stand by his values has helped him shape his career. I have grown extremely comfortable being the villain in some people’s stories. Many times, the lines between wrong and right blur in these narratives. I am happy as always to dispense with my side of it. My recourse is to distance myself from the grandstanding and theatrics.
“Sometimes, I am quick to build a wall before compromising my ideologies and principles. It is what forged who I am. It’s what inspires what I am to become.
“One thing is certain: you must trust people to be who they are. The moon will turn red before I’m who I am not. I am light to many. Others, I am what their insecurities amplify. I’m hated for it. I’m loved for it.”
Source: Dailypost
In other news –
Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has revealed the craziest rumour he has seen online about himself. The ‘Calm Down’ hitmaker said being tagged “a devil worshiper” was the craziest rumour ever peddled against him.
Rema featured in a recent episode of the ‘Kids Take Over’ podcast.The host asked: “What’s the most crazy, untrue thing that you’ve seen online about you. Read more