NEW YORK — The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, an evening highlighting tune and popular culture, kicked off with heartfelt phrases in reminiscence of Chadwick Boseman.
“We dedicate tonight’s show to a man whose spirit touched so many. He’s a true hero, not just on-screen,” host KeKe Palmer stated of the “Black Panther” actor. “His impact lives forever.”
At simply 43 years previous, Boseman died Friday after privately combating colon most cancers for 4 years.
Moments after, the Weeknd introduced his “Blinding Lights” tune video — the place he’s bruised and blooded in a crimson swimsuit — to lifestyles. He carried out the upbeat No. 1 hit at the aspect of a New York high-rise construction. DaBaby, sponsored through the dance workforce Jabbawockeez, additionally carried out, operating thru a number of of his hits, together with “Rock Star.” During the latter observe, he rapped whilst leaping on best of a police automobile, as a town burning down in the back of used to be his backdrop.
The first televised award for the evening — perfect collaboration — went to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande for “Rain on Me.”
“This means the world. Ariana and I really connected through this song,” Gaga stated. “We are truly soul sisters. … We turned our tears that felt like endless rainfalls into diamonds.”