Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion Make a Hot ‘Bongos’ Debut at VMAs (Even Taylor Swift Had to Fan Herself)
These queens are giving bawdy and face at the 2023 VMAs. During their main stage performance of “Bongos,” Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion reminded everyone how it’s done.
The two rap giants hit the stage at Prudential Center on Tuesday night for the first-ever live performance of their fiery new collaboration, which proved to be more easily adaptable to network television than “WAP” was. (We stan both singles, though.)
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“VMAs, what the fuck is up?” asked Cardi B as she took the stage in her natural hair and a blue bodysuit in the middle of a tropical-themed set. Lil Nas X could be seen standing and cheering from the audience as Megan Thee Stallion popped in with her verse.
The two stars held hands as they walked into the audience while the dancers, in fluorescent outfits, twerked in the background. The two stars rapped their verses while showing off their best assets. Meanwhile, Offset clapped away in the crowd and Taylor Swift fanned herself. (Yup, that was hot!)
Despite it being their first time on the main stage at the awards ceremony, Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B each performed on the VMAs pre-show much earlier in their careers. In 2017, Cardi B lit up the red carpet with “Bodak Yellow,” and Megan hit the pre-show audience with a three-for-one special when she performed a medley of “Big Ole Freak,” “Hot Girl Summer,” and “Cash Shit” in 2019.
The pair was nominated for Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best Hip-Hop for “WAP” at the 2021 Video Music Awards, but have only racked up individual wins. In 2019, Cardi B took home a Moon Person for Best Hip-Hop with “Money,” and Megan Thee Stallion was awarded in the same category the following year for the solo version of “Savage.”
This year, Cardi B earned a nomination for Best Hip-Hop alongside GloRilla for their collaboration “Tomorrow 2,” while Megan Thee Stallion racked up three nominations for “Her,” including Best Choreography, Best Direction, and Best Art Direction.
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