Cardi B and Kehlani have made VMA history after their song “Safe” won Best Hip-Hop at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27.
The award gave Cardi B and Kehlani one of the night’s notable category wins and made “Safe” the first all-female collaboration to win Best Hip-Hop at the VMAs. The achievement had been identified as a potential record before the ceremony, with Cardi B and Kehlani listed among the nominees alongside Don Toliver, Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott and Tyler, The Creator.
‘Safe’ Turns a Collaboration Into VMA History
“Safe” appears on Cardi B’s second album, Am I the Drama?, which was released in September 2025. Atlantic Records confirmed Kehlani’s appearance on the track and released its official music video alongside the album.
The VMA win adds another major moment to a collaboration that has also featured in Cardi B’s live performances. Kehlani joined Cardi during her Little Miss Drama tour in Los Angeles in February 2026, where the pair performed “Safe” together.
That live connection has helped keep the song visible beyond its original album release, giving fans another way to experience the Cardi B and Kehlani collaboration.
A Competitive Best Hip-Hop Category
The Best Hip-Hop category featured several major names, making the win significant for both artists.
Cardi B and Kehlani’s “Safe” competed against Don Toliver’s “E85,” Drake’s “Janice STFU,” Megan Thee Stallion’s “LOVER GIRL,” Travis Scott’s “DUMBO” and Tyler, The Creator’s “SUGAR ON MY TONGUE.” The official winners list confirms “Safe” as the category winner.
The result also gives Kehlani two wins across the 2026 VMAs categories. She was involved in the Best Hip-Hop win with Cardi B and was also nominated in Best R&B for “Folded.”
Cardi B Adds Another VMA Moment
The award also adds to Cardi B’s history with the MTV VMAs and gives Am I the Drama? another major recognition.
The 2026 ceremony featured several major winners, including Madonna, who led the night with seven awards, Taylor Swift, who won Video of the Year, and BTS, who won Song of the Year for “SWIM.”
For Cardi B and Kehlani, however, the focus is on “Safe” and the record attached to its Best Hip-Hop victory. Their win puts an all-female collaboration into a category where that had not happened before, giving the song a place in VMA history.
