Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion to Give “Bongos” Live Debut at VMAs 2023

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion are the latest performers added to the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. The rappers will give their new single “Bongos” its live debut at the show. Megan Thee Stallion is nominated for three awards this year, all for “Her”: Best Direction, Best Choreography, and Best Art Direction. Cardi B just has one nomination, Best Hip-Hop, for her Glorilla collaboration “Tomorrow 2.” The VMAs are set to broadcast live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on September 12.

This year’s VMAs includes a long list of performers—Video Vanguard Award recipient Shakira, emcee Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Lil Wayne, Demi Lovato—with more still to be announced. Other artists that will take the stage include Fall Out Boy, Tomorrow x Together, Metro Boomin with Future, Nelly, Karol G, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Anitta, and Peso Pluma. Taylor Swift and SZA lead the charge with the most nominations at this year, followed by Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, and Doja Cat.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s last single together, “WAP,” earned five nominations from the VMAs back in 2021. The song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and they performed it live at the 2021 Grammy Awards. However, “WAP” was not submitted for Grammy consideration, reportedly holding off for Cardi’s next album campaign.

Follow along with all of Pitchfork’s coverage of the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.

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