The 2017 MTV Video Music Awards celebrated a year of influential music and bold cultural moments, highlighting streaming-era stars and genre breakthroughs. This overview captures the most significant wins and performances from the ceremony.
Below is a snapshot of major winners across key categories, showing how artists dominated across multiple divisions at the 2017 VMAs.
| Category | Winner | Nominated Highlights | Song/Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video of the Year | Lorde | Lorde, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar | "Green Light" |
| Best Male | Kendrick Lamar | Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Post Malone | "Humble" |
| Best Female | Kendrick Lamar | Lorde, Taylor Swift, Cardi B | "LoveDStroy" |
| Best Group | Fifth Harmony | Fifth Harmony, Migos, DNCE | "Down" |
| Push Artist of the Year | Halsey | Halsey, Lauv, K.Flay | "Now or Never" |
Video of the Year Highlights
Video of the Year at the 2017 VMAs signaled a shift toward visually daring storytelling, with Lorde's win for "Green Light" standing out. Her acceptance speech emphasized artistic authenticity and creative risk-taking. Other nominees included The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar, showcasing a competitive field of high-budget, narrative-driven videos. This category emphasized innovation in cinematography and editing.
Genre and Performance Impact
The ceremony highlighted cross-genre appeal, blending hip-hop, pop, and alternative sounds into a unified celebration. Performances amplified themes of empowerment and social awareness, resonating with a diverse audience. The night reflected how streaming-era artists command both critical attention and fan engagement across platforms.
Artist Recognition and Career Momentum
Winners at the 2017 VMAS not only received hardware but also significant career momentum, with many seeing streaming surges after their appearances. Fifth Harmony's group win underscablished their evolving identity beyond chart pop. Kendrick Lamar's dominance illustrated how concept-driven albums can translate into multiple video-level accolades.
Style and Cultural Trends
Fashion and stage design at the 2017 VMAs set new benchmarks for bold visual identity, from avant-garde red carpet moments to onstage costume statements. These choices reinforced how artists use visual language to communicate brand and message. The night demonstrated the convergence of music, fashion, and digital storytelling.
Key Takeaways
- Lorde's Video of the Year win emphasized creative risk and bold storytelling.
- Kendrick Lamar swept gender-neutral categories, underscoring lyrical and visual excellence.
- Fifth Harmony's group victory highlighted the power of defined artistic identity.
- Streaming-era visibility translated into measurable career momentum post-VMAs.
- Production quality and fashion choices played a crucial role in defining the night's cultural impact.
FAQ
Reader questions
Which artist won Video of the Year in 2017?
Lorde won Video of the Year for "Green Light" at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards.
Who dominated the gender-specific categories that year?
Kendrick Lamar won both Best Male and Best Female awards, highlighting his broad impact across gendered categories in 2017.
Which group took home Best Group at the ceremony?
Fifth Harmony won Best Group for their track "Down" at the 2017 VMAs.
Who was awarded Push Artist of the Year in 2017?
Halsey received the Push Artist of the Year award, recognizing her rising influence and breakthrough year.