The Weeknd opened MTV’s Video Music Awards with a performance of “Blinding Lights.” His face was bloodied and bruised, to seemingly mimic his appearance in the music video for the song.
Watch him take the stage at the Edge at Hudson Yards below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFzwgFO2bsg
He won little moon men for Best R&B Video and Video of the Year for “Blinding Lights.” The 30-year-old artist used his acceptance speech to speak out against racial inequality and injustice.
“It’s really hard for me to celebrate right now and enjoy this moment,” he said. “I’m just going to say: Justice for Jacob Blake and justice for Breonna Taylor.”
He echoed the same sentiment in his other speech.
DaBaby also used his VMAs performance to make a statement on racial injustice.
Partnering with the Jabbawockeez, he began his performance by getting arrested, handcuffed and shoved into a police car. Then, in an almost Joker-like scene, he steps on top of the car with the city of New York burning behind him.
Here’s the performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUQXgU-R_wM
These artists made the most of this year’s virtual awards show. 29-year-old Jacob Blake was shot seven times by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin. EMT Breona Taylor, 26, was asleep when police came into her Louisville, Ky. home at 1 a.m. They opened fire, subsequently killing her.
Click here for ways to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
