3 Musicians Who Should Have Won A Single Award At VMA 2023
The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) showcased incredible talent and celebrated some of the year’s most outstanding artists. While many deserving nominees took home prestigious awards, the night also witnessed some surprising snubs and unexpected winners. In this article, we highlight five nominees who, despite their exceptional contributions, did not secure a VMA in 2023.
Swift’s Dominance and Expected Wins
Taylor Swift’s monumental achievements at the VMAs, including Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist of the Year, were hardly surprising given her remarkable year. Her chart-topping track “Anti-Hero” and successful albums “Midnights” and “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” solidified her dominance. Swift even surpassed Beyoncé in three major categories, further cementing her legacy as one of the industry’s top artists.
Predictable Wins for Minaj and SZA
Nicki Minaj, who also hosted the show, secured the Best Hip-Hop award for “Super Freaky Girl,” adding to her already impressive collection of wins in this category. Likewise, SZA’s victory for Best R&B with “Shirt” was expected, considering the chart-topping success of her album “SOS” in late 2022 and early 2023. Rema & Selena Gomez’s triumph in the new Best Afrobeats category for “Calm Down” was also a logical outcome, with the song reaching No. 3 on the Hot 100.
Let’s recount some surprising losses at the VMA:
- Miley Cyrus
Despite receiving six nominations, Miley Cyrus left the VMAs empty-handed this year. Her prior triumph with “Wrecking Ball,” winning Video of the Year nine years ago, did not translate into success this time. While Doja Cat and Olivia Rodrigo secured one technical award each, Cyrus missed out on recognition, raising questions about the distribution of accolades.
- Sam Smith and Kim Petras
Sam Smith and Kim Petras, despite their No. 1 Hot 100 hit “Unholy,” faced disappointment at the VMAs. Nominated in five categories, the duo did not secure any wins. Their historic achievement as the first non-binary and trans artists to top the Hot 100 didn’t translate into VMA success, as Taylor Swift’s formidable presence proved challenging to surpass.
- Bad Bunny’s Perennial Miss
Despite seven nominations in the Best Latin category over the last five years, Bad Bunny has never secured a VMA win in this category. His numerous nominations, often competing with himself, have yet to translate into a victory. This enduring snub remains a notable aspect of the VMAs.
However, there were also some unexpected wins and nominees at this years VMA’s:
- Måneskin’s Victory
A significant surprise of the night was the Italian band Måneskin winning Best Rock for “The Loneliest.” Their victory came at the expense of renowned rock bands like Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Metallica. The Foos and the Peppers had previously received the Global Icon Award in 2021 and 2022, respectively, making Måneskin’s triumph all the more unexpected.
- Global Pop’s Remarkable Presence
The 2023 VMAs witnessed a record-breaking global presence, with 10 awards going to artists from outside the U.S. South Korea alone claimed five of these awards, with Blackpink winning Group of the Year and Best Choreography for “Pink Venom.” Additionally, acts from Colombia, Italy, Brazil, and Nigeria received well-deserved recognition, highlighting the international diversity of the music industry.
- Karol G and Shakira’s Collaboration
Karol G and Shakira’s collaboration “TQG” won the all-genre Best Collaboration category, triumphing over chart-topping hits by David Guetta & Bebe Rexha and Rema & Selena Gomez. This unexpected victory showcased the power of collaboration in the music industry.
Conclusion: Celebrating Diversity and Acknowledging Snubs
The 2023 MTV VMAs celebrated the global diversity of music while delivering some surprising outcomes. While many deserving artists claimed their well-earned accolades, the event also highlighted the challenging competition within the industry. As the music world continues to evolve, both established and emerging artists remain integral to its vibrant tapestry.
