Hip-hop made its presence known at the 2023 MTV VMAs on Tuesday (Sept. 12). Nicki Minaj pulled double duty as both a “host” and performer. ( According to a source at MTV familiar with the awards show, no one can labeled as a “host” because of the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes.) Diddy won the Global Icon Award for his three-decade career in the music industry.

Jungkook and Latto’s “Seven” won Song of the Summer. In that category for hip-hop and R&B were also Nicki and Ice Spice’s “Barbie World,” Beyoncé’s “Cuff It,” Doja Cat’s “Paint The Town Red,” SZA’s “Kill Bill,” Gunna’s “f**umean,” and Doechii and Kodak Black’s “What It Is (Block Boy).”

Ice Spice came out on top with her win for “Best New Artist.” The Bronx-bred rapper has been working hard all year as she released her first EP Like..? as well as its deluxe edition. She also worked with Nicki Minaj twice this year on her “Princess Diana” remix and on “Barbie World” for the Barbie film.

2023 MTV VMAs Full Winners List

The Best Hip-Hop Video went to Nicki Minaj for her visual to “Super Freaky Girl.” Other nominees were Cardi B and GloRilla’s “Tomorrow 2,” “Kant Nobody” by Lil Wayne, DMX, Swizz Beatz, “STAYING ALIVE” with Drake, Lil Baby, DJ Khaled, Metro Boomin and Future’s “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” “Gotta Move On (Queens Remix)” with Diddy, Ashanti, Bryson Tiller, and Yung Miami and Lil Uzi Vert’s “Just Wanna Rock.”

On the R&B side, SZA took home Best R&B Video with “Shirt.” She was up against the “Creepin” remix with The Weeknd, 21 Savage, and Metro Boomin, “How Does It Feel” with Chlöe Bailey and Chris Brown, “Love In The Way” with Yung Bleu and Nicki Minaj, “Stay,” with Alicia Keys and Lucky Daye, and Toosi’s “Favorite Song.”

Take a look at the full winners list here. If your curious about what your favorite celebrity wore on the red carpet check out our gallery here. Check out hip-hop’s performances below at the VMAs below:

• 8. NLE Choppa feat. Nelly - "Ain't Gonna Answer" / "Hot In Herre"

  NLE Choppa took the stage and performed “Ain’t Gonna Answer.” The song features Lil Wayne who also performed earlier in the show but he did not come back out to collaborate with NLE Choppa. Nelly also came out and performed his 2009 classic “Hot In Herre.” Take a look at their performance above.

• 7. Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Tribute feat. Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J & More

  For one of the last performances of the night, the VMAs celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. The performance included, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J, DMC of Run-DMC, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, and Grand Master Flash. Some of the songs that were performed were “The Message” (Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five), “Itty Bitty Piggy” (Nicki Minaj), “A Milli” (Lil Wayne), and “I’m Bad” (LL Cool J) more. Take a look at the performance above.

• 6. Lil Wayne - "Back That Azz Up" / "Uproar" / "Kat Food"

  Lil Wayne opened up the VMAs performing his hits such as “Back That Azz Up” and “Uproar.” The Young Money boss also performed his new song “Kat Food.” “Kat Food” was released earlier this month. Take a look at his performance above.

• 5. Metro Boomin ft. Future, Swae Lee, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie & NAV - "Superhero"/"Calling"

  Metro Boomin took the stage and brought out his army of “superheroes” and “villains” for his dynamic performance. The Grammy-nominated producer brought out Future, Swae Lee, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and NAV to perform “Superhero” and “Calling.” Metro Boomin and Future are rumored to have a collab album coming out soon. Take a look at the performance above.

• 4. Diddy - "I'll Be Missing You" / "Bad Boys For Life" / "I Need A Girl" & More

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EKhDTBfalI

  Not only did Diddy accept his Global Icon Award, he also performed some of his hits. He performed “I’ll Be Missing You,” “Bad Boy For Life,” “I Need A Girl” and more. He also brought out Keyshia Cole, Faith Evans, Sting, Yung Miami, and his son Christian “King” Combs on stage. Take a look at his performance above.

• 3. Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion - "Bongos"

  Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion put on a high-energy and twerk-filled performance at the VMAs. The duo performed their latest song “Bongos.” The record was released last week and it was the first time the two have worked together since “WAP” in 2020. Take a look at their performance above.

• 2. Nicki Minaj - "Last Time I Saw You"

  Nicki Minaj performed “Last Time I Saw You,” her first solo song of the year. She also teased a new song which has not yet been titled. It is expected that “Last Time I Saw You” will end up on her upcoming album Pink Friday 2. That project is set to be released on Nov. 17.

• 1. Doja Cat - "Attention" / "Paint The Town Red" / "Demons"

  Doja Cat had a dark and quite windy performance at the VMAs. She performed her three newest songs “Attention,” “Paint The Town Red,” and “Demons.” All three songs are expected to be on her upcoming album Scarlet. Her LP is set to drop on Sept. 22. Take a look at her performance above.

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