#VMAs 2017 according to South African Twitter

The VMAs may have started at a local time of 2am Monday morning, but that didn’t stop it from trending nationwide by the time most of the country was waking up.

MTV offered what Vox called “an extremely boring show” at the same time as the much-anticipated Game of Thrones finale, yet still managed to crack a trend ahead of the HBO show. So just who were South Africans talking about?

Kendrick Lamar

Rapper Kendrick Lamar put on a political performance that started with news footage from an incident of police brutality interspersed with Fox News coverage. Lamar has always been vocal about race issues in the US — last year his performance highlighted the prison industrial complex.

Lamar took home the most awards of the night, collecting six VMAs that included the most-coveted Video of the Year for “Humble”. He was up for eight awards and lost out only on Best Choreography (which went to Kanye West for “Fade”) and Artist of the Year (Ed Sheeran).

The South Africans of Twitter were delighted by his domination.

Such a HUMBLE night in the #VMAs  👏🙌🏾 🔥 👌 @kendricklamar

— Sam Lamar 🇿🇦 (@ellysamy) August 28, 2017

Yooo! Kendrick killed it at the #VMAs but what else did we expect! DAMN.

— IG: its_hpro (@HProHH) August 28, 2017

Kendrick Lamar is unfuckwithable #VMAs

— Avela Makae (@AvelaMakae) August 28, 2017

Fifth Harmony

One of the most vocal fandoms on Twitter is Fifth Harmony’s, so it’s no surprise the traction the girl group received.

#VMAs @FifthHarmony there was falling off stage, there was remixing, there was water, there were shook fans!!

— #5HARMONY#ARIANA🇿🇦 (@5Harmony_ariana) August 28, 2017

The group won three of the five awards they were up for, including Best Pop Video and Artist to Watch Award.

It’s alleged that they threw shade at former member Camila Cabello when they opened with five people, only to have the fifth fly backwards off stage when the song began.

I feel like there’s been more shade served then actual awards #VMAs

— ng🏳️‍🌈 (@ImNolanGrant) August 28, 2017

@FifthHarmony shooketh shook shook shooketh #VMAs 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/tBOGw58jWP

— JaysJoint🎈 (@AjamJawaad) August 28, 2017

NORMANI’S SPLIT NORMANI’S SPLIT NORMANI’S SPLIT!!! I’m still shaking!! That split should’ve won it’s own award!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥#5HonVMAs#VMAs

— AneLisa (@anelisa_McC) August 28, 2017

Cardi B

Rapper Cardi B was not up for any awards last night, but she stole the show with her performance of “Bodak Yellow” and her charismatic candid interviews.

Cardi B interviews are my new favorite thing!😂❤️ #VMAs pic.twitter.com/RYQFrEFgzp

— Mondly Shezi (@_Mondly) August 28, 2017

Though some haters were quick to criticise her style of speech, many jumped to her defense.

Love her😂😍

— Nomzamo Nene (@ZamoNeneSA) August 28, 2017

Bitch! She’s the one. Love her

— Mbals (@mbali_mashiyane) August 28, 2017

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift may not have even shown up to the VMAs, but the release of her shady video for “Look What You Made Me Do” garnered plenty of attention for her anyway.

I expected Taylor to pop out though. #VMAs

— C. (@ChrislynEdson) August 28, 2017

The video has a lot of symbolic imagery to sift through — and there are plenty of theories flying around — but some were annoyed at her dragging out a feud that seemingly ended months ago.

There’s so many references in this video. Taylor is brave.. 😥 #VMAs #LookWhatYouMadeMeDo

— C. (@ChrislynEdson) August 28, 2017

Are you really over it Taylor? Again you stoked the fire on something that was dead for months #VMAs

— Sassy |#1 DYLM stan (@Normanisangel_) August 28, 2017

Okay, as much as I wanna hate it, Taylor Swift’s video is amazing 😂 The Visuals are next level #VMAs

— Sara (@SaraEubia) August 28, 2017

Drop us a comment if we missed your favourite moment or artist!