Keke Palmer, The Weeknd and More Address Racial Injustice During MTV VMAs

"We must continue to fight to end systemic racism," host Keke Palmer shared in her opening remarks of the socially distanced awards show.

Despite having no live audience to receive applause from or a red carpet to interviewed on, musicians and celebrities at the MTV Video Music Awards were not silent when it came to the Black Lives Matter movement and the nation's growing call for racial justice and inclusivity.

During the first major live awards show being staged in the COVID-19 era, Keke Palmer, The Weeknd and more musicians spotlighted recent events such as the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Washington and pressed viewers to register to vote to help further change.

As host Palmer opened up the awards show, she shared how through the Black Lives Matter protests, "we have seen our generation step up and take to the streets and make sure our voices are heard." She added that events in Kenosha alone are "another devastating reminder" that police brutality cannot be tolerated and "we must continue to fight to end systemic racism."

"It's our time to be the change we want to see. We need to come together, and music has that power. Music can help us heal," Palmer added in her opening remarks.

In one of the first performances of the night, DaBaby's "Blind" included visuals of the hip-hop star in the back of a police car. DaBaby previously spoke out against racist police brutality during the 2020 BET Awards with his performance of the Black Lives Matter remix of "Rockstar," alongside Roddy Rich. In the video for the virtual awards show, DaBaby reenacted George Floyd's murder, and later wearing masks and shirts reading "I am George Floyd," "I am Trayvon Martin" and "I am Breonna Taylor."

When The Weeknd accepted awards for "Blinding Lights" winning best R&B and later video of the year, the singer admitted it was "really hard to celebrate and enjoy this moment." He concluded his short acceptance speeches by telling the VMAs audience, "Justice for Jacob Blake. Justice for Breonna Taylor."

Following H.E.R. winning Video for Good for her protest song "I Can't Breathe," Sofia Carson announced that Pepsi would donate $100,000 to the NAACP legal defense fund. Carson also urged viewers to register to vote, saying "Unmute your voice and speak up about what you believe in."

As the Black Eyed Peas closed out the awards show with "I Gotta Feelin'," the group ended their performance with a statement of "Black Lives Matter."

The 2020 MTV VMAs aired its socially distanced show live on Sunday, Aug. 30.