Cardi B Promises VMAs Return After Historic Win With Kehlani
Cardi B missed her own win at the VMAs, then promised fans from her sofa that she would be there next time.
Cardi B and Kehlani's single “Save” won best hip-hop at the ceremony held on Sunday, Sept. 27. It is the first all-women collaboration to take the category, according to Billboard. Neither Cardi B nor Kehlani was present to collect the award.
Cardi B addressed fans a day later in a video filmed at home and posted to her Instagram Story. She said she had wanted to attend but could not make it. “Next year, I'm going to the VMAs. I promise.”
In a follow-up post, she wrote: “Thank you @mtv …Send in the moon man.” The Moon Person, a small astronaut figure, is the trophy given to VMAs winners. Cardi B said she had recently returned home from Milan, where she walked in the Vogue World fashion show alongside Jennifer Lopez and mgk.
“Save” was released in September 2025 alongside Cardi B’s second album, Am I the Drama? That album topped the Billboard 200, the United States albums chart. The single reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, the US singles chart, and No. 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Elsewhere at the 2026 VMAs, Madonna took the most Moon People on the night, including artist of the year. Taylor Swift was honoured with the first-ever artist director award and won video of the year for “The Fate of Ophelia.” The show included performances by RAYE, Sienna Spiro, LISA and Shaboozey.
What makes this stand out is the wait behind it. Best hip-hop has been part of the VMAs for years. This is the first time the prize has gone to a record credited only to women.
