Cardi B and Kehlani Win Best Hip-Hop as Madonna Leads the 2026 MTV VMAs

By Dennis Byron | Hip Hop Enquirer Music

Cardi B and Kehlani put hip-hop on the winners’ board at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. Their collaboration, “Safe”, won Best Hip-Hop at Sunday night’s ceremony in Los Angeles, topping a field that included Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott and Tyler, the Creator.

Madonna led the night with seven wins, including Artist of the Year. “Confessions II – The Film” won Best Dance, Best Long Form Video, Best Cinematography and Best Choreography. Her song with Sabrina Carpenter, “Bring Your Love”, took Best Collaboration.

Taylor Swift won Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia” and Best Direction for “Opalite”. She also received the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors.

BTS had three wins: Song of the Year and Best K-Pop for “Swim”, plus Best Group.

The genre awards gave fans plenty more to watch. Bruno Mars won Best R&B for “I Just Might”, Bad Bunny took Best Latin for “NUEVAYoL”, and LISA earned Best Pop for “Dream”, featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi in its short film video. Olivia Rodrigo won Best Alternative for “the cure”, while Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” took Best Country.

Sabrina Carpenter also won Best Editing for “House Tour”. PinkPantheress won Best Art Direction for “Stateside” with Zara Larsson, and Ariana Grande picked up Best Visual Effects and Song of Summer for “hate that i made you love me”. Sienna Spiro was named Best New Artist, and Nirvana received the Video Vanguard Award.

Snoop Dogg hosted the September 27 ceremony at the Peacock Theater. For hip-hop fans, Cardi B and Kehlani’s “Safe” was the result to celebrate: a Best Hip-Hop Moon Person for a collaboration that stood out in a crowded category.