Anitta Transforms the 2023 VMAs Into a ‘Funk Rave’ With Help From Tomorrow X Together

Anitta transformed 2023 MTV VMAs stage into a “Funk Rave” as she performed the fan-favorite and her recent single, “Used to Be” — and later joined the boys of Tomorrow X Together for a performance of their new collaboration “Back for More.”

During her solo segment, the Brazilian star opened her performance with “Used to Be.” What better opening line than “I used to be a hoe, but now I ain’t no more?”

Anitta was dressed in the colors of her home country as her dancers twerked around her to an electrifying rendition of “Funk Rave,” before the singer had an ass-shaking solo of her own. Later in the night she accepted the award for Best Latin for the track from Fat Joe and Thalia.

“We’re here again Brazil. We’re here again, Thank you so much to my fans. Without you, I would be nothing,” she said as she accepted the award for the second year in a row and thanked her label.

“And thanks to me!” Anitta added. “I want to thank myself because I work so hard… You’re gonna hear more Brazilian funk in the world right now. This is the beginning.”

Later in the show, the TXT boys showed off their insane choreographed moves as they danced to “Back for More” before Anitta brought the Brazilian flair for her fiery verse. (Earlier in the evening, TXT also won the award for Push Performance of the Year for “Sugar Rush Ride.”)

Anitta’s song “Funk Rave” won for Best Latin against Bad Bunny’s “Where She Goes,” Eslabón Aramdo and Peso Pluma’s “Ella Baila Sola,” Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny’s “Un x100to,” Karol G and Shakira’s “TQG,” Rosalía’s “Despechá,” and Shakira’s “Acróstico.”

The star took home the award for Best Latin at the 2022 award show for her song “Envolver.” There, she performed a medley of her hits, including “Bola Rebola” and “Vai Malandra.”

Anitta released her three-song bundle Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story in mid-August, featuring “Funk Rave,” “Casi Casi,” and “Used To Be.” “In this project, I dive into carioca funk. The rhythm that raised me and is part of the culture from where I was born,” Anitta said in a statement.

Among the performers for the night are Demi Lovato, Doja Cat, Karol G, Kelsea Ballerini, Måneskin, Stray Kids, along with Shakira who’s being honored with the Video Vanguard Award, and Diddy, who earned the Global Icon title.

The MTV Video Music Awards are airing live on MTV from the Prudential Center in New Jersey.

This story was updated at 9:50 p.m. ET to include Anitta’s Best Latin award win.

This story was updated at 11:07 p.m. ET to include TXT’s performance.

From Rolling Stone US.