Photo credit: kehlanisource
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards delivered another major moment for Black music as Cardi B and Kehlani took home the Best Hip-Hop award for their collaboration “Safe.”
The duo scored the win during the Sept. 27 ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Their victory was one of the notable wins for Black American artists during a night led by Madonna, Taylor Swift and BTS.
Cardi B and Kehlani take Best Hip-Hop
Cardi B and Kehlani won Best Hip-Hop for “Safe,” beating a competitive field that included Don Toliver, Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott and Tyler, The Creator.
The official MTV winners list confirms the collaboration as the category’s winner.
The award adds another major VMA moment to Cardi B’s career. It also gives Kehlani another major recognition for her work during a year that saw her appear among the nominees in both hip-hop and R&B categories.
Kehlani was also nominated individually for Best R&B with “Folded.” However, the R&B trophy went to Bruno Mars for “I Just Might.”
“Safe” brings Cardi B and Kehlani together
“Safe” put two major voices from different corners of Black music together for one of the VMAs’ most competitive genre categories.
The collaboration faced major hip-hop releases from artists including Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott and Tyler, The Creator. Cardi B and Kehlani ultimately emerged with the Moon Person.
Their victory also highlighted the strength of female artists across the 2026 VMAs. The ceremony featured several major wins for women, including Madonna, Taylor Swift, Lisa and Ariana Grande.
A big night for Black music
Cardi B and Kehlani’s win came during a ceremony that featured Black artists prominently across the nominations and performances.
Other Black artists in major categories included Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Malice, Clipse, Megan Thee Stallion, Tyler, The Creator, Don Toliver, Travis Scott, Doechii, A$AP Rocky and Shaboozey.
However, not every nominated artist took home a Moon Person.
The official results show that Cardi B and Kehlani were the Black American artists who won a competitive award as performers at the 2026 ceremony.
The 2026 VMAs winners
The overall ceremony featured several major winners. Taylor Swift won Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia,” while Madonna won Artist of the Year, Best Dance and Best Collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter.
BTS also collected major honors, including Song of the Year for “Swim” and Best K-Pop. Lisa won Best Pop, while Sienna Spiro took home Best New Artist.
For Black music, however, the night belonged to Cardi B and Kehlani.
Their Best Hip-Hop victory for “Safe” gave the 2026 VMAs another memorable moment for two artists who continue to make an impact across hip-hop and R&B.
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Source: MTV/Paramount Press Express
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