Why are we calling the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards the night of Rihanna? The 28 year old singer, was the recipient of the 2016 MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award — also known as the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is given to musicians who’ve made a serious effect on the MTV culture, and honours their body of work.
Rihanna’s body of work was more than honoured at the show! With four full performances, we saw every part that we know and love of Rihanna come to life on the VMAs stage!
Let’s take a little flashback at all of her VMA moments!
Show Opening – Featured “Where Have You Been,” “We Found Love,” and “Only Girl (in the World).”
Double Dose – Featured “Rude Boy” and “Work.”
Triple Threat – Featured “Needed Me” and “B*tch Better Have My Money.”
Fab Final – Featuring tracks “Stay,” “Diamonds” and “Love on the Brain.”
The music might have ended there; but the magic did not!
Earlier in the night, Drake was reported as “stuck in traffic” by Diddy during the win for Best Hip Hop Video (“Hotline Bling”). However, Drake was certainly not MIA when it came to Rihanna‘s award giving. Drake popped up on stage, in a suit + gave what we’re going to call, one of the loveliest most heart felt speeches of 2016.
For the short story, read our Instagram caption:
Long story short: #Drake surprised everyone, walking on stage (in a suit) to present #Rihanna with her 2016 Video Vanguard award, stating “She’s someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22 years old” — making all our hearts melt. Congratulations to @badgalriri who stated “My success is not my own. It’s my family’s. It’s my fans. It my country’s.” – so well deserved.
For the full length, check out the full video:
What a moment! So many congrats to Rihanna on her 2016 Video Vanguard Award — both her receiving speech, and Drake‘s awarding speech, will go down in MTV VMA history.