Definition and criteria of the MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration
The MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration recognizes a standout joint creative effort in a music video. Administered by MTV as part of the annual VMAs, the category highlights performances, songwriting, production, and visual storytelling that come together through two or more artists. Submissions are evaluated on artistic risk, cohesion, and how the collaboration amplifies each act’s strengths. The award often spotlights cross-genre experiments and unexpected pairings that expand audiences. While popularity matters, the category privileges vision and execution, rewarding teams that raise the cultural and artistic bar for the project.
Notable past winners and turning points
Over the years, the Best Collaboration trophy has gone to pairings that reshaped mainstream conversations. SZA and Justin Timberlake’s win for "The Weekend (Freestyle)" underscored how a remix can recontextualize a hit. Nicki Minaj and Drake’s victory for "Madonna" signaled the growing influence of rap collaborations on pop charts. Later wins, including those for "Lady Marmalade" and "Bang Bang," highlighted the category’s appetite for star-studded, genre-blurring moments. Each winner reflects an era in which features and duets drive both streaming and conversation, cementing collaborations as a strategic move for longevity.
breakdown of winners by year and team
| Year | Winners | Song | Album/Project | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Nicki Minaj ft. Drake | Bang Bang | The Pinkprint | Remix and video performance drove mainstream breakout |
| 2016 | SZA vs Justin Timberlake | The Weekend (Freestyle) | Ctrl (Deluxe) | Victory framed the remix as art, not just promotion |
| 2017 | Bruno Mars, Cardi B, and Offset | Please Me (Live Performance) | 24K Magic Live | Live VMA set expanded the category to performance-driven collaborations |
| 2018 | Kylie Minogue and Nicki Minaj | Dancing | Golden | Cross-generational pairing elevated a pop staple |
| 2020 | Roddy Ricch ft. Nipsey Hussle | Racks in the Middle (Live) | Live performance honoring Nipsey Hussle | Victory underscored storytelling and tribute in collaborations |
how the category shapes careers and streaming performance
Earning the MTV VMA for Best Collaboration can be a career multiplier. Awards increase playlisting, push streams into new markets, and open doors to high-profile features. For emerging artists, a win with an established name accelerates credibility; for veterans, it signals renewed relevance. The category also influences label strategy, encouraging cross-signing and playlist-focused campaigns. Because the award highlights songs that thrive on synergy, it reshapes how artists plan features: timing, visual rollout, and shared touring circuits often align to maximize post-VMA momentum.
common patterns among winners
Across the VMAs, Best Collaboration winners tend to share a few repeatable traits. They often bring distinct fanbases to the table, widening combined reach. The visual treatment tends to be elevated—a narrative or aesthetic that rewards repeat viewing. Sonically, winners frequently blend genres, leaning on producers who can bridge regional sounds or generations. Moreover, many victories follow songs that dominated radio or streaming ahead of the VMAs, confirming the category’s balance of audience resonance and artistic intent. Because the category celebrates chemistry, the most enduring winners are teams whose identities remain legible even when fused.
how nominees and winners differ from other vma categories
Unlike the Song of Summer or Push Performance of the Year, Best Collaboration focuses on the chemistry between acts rather than a solo moment or a singular campaign. This shifts the narrative toward creative partnerships, where mutual promotion and shared audiences matter. Compared to Best Group, it emphasizes cross-artist dynamics; compared to Best Hip-Hop or Best Rock, it foregrounds the pairing itself. Consequently, campaigns for this category often feature duets, features, or live reinterpretations designed to highlight interdependence. The result is a category that tracks how collaboration defines pop cycles, not just individual hits.
what the award signals for artists, labels, and fans
For artists, a Best Collaboration nomination or win marks momentum and visibility among key tastemakers. It can lead to festival bookings, sync placements, and invitations to future award shows. For labels, it validates investment in cross-promotion, playlist pitching, and multimedia storytelling. For fans, the category offers a map of the current musical ecosystem—introducing them to features they might not seek out and rewarding the most cohesive pairings. Over time, this encourages healthier collaboration strategies: joint writing sessions, shared visual concepts, and aligned release schedules that turn one-off features into lasting partnerships.