Rick Ross, Desiigner, Lil Yachty, & D.R.A.M. Perform at MTV Woodies

Live from Austin, the 2017 MTV Woodies delivered superstar performances and surprises.

Hosted by Rick Ross, the annual SXSW event included special sets from a wide range of acts, including Desiigner, Jidenna, Young M.A., Khalid, D.R.A.M., Lil Yachty, and Rozay himself.

One of the most animated sets of the day belonged to a shirtless Desiigner, who performed his horn-blaring single “Outlet” with the help of a full band and body paint before stage diving into the crowd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps3_XI0jOlk

D.R.A.M. was another energetic and charismatic Woodie entertainer, taking over the stage for solo performances of his infectious singles “Cha Cha,” “Cute,” and “Cash Machine.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7iJhkQDZ2E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuBRGjHvRgI

But D.R.A.M. didn’t stop there. He also linked up with Lil Yachty for a joint set. First, Lil Boat took the stage to rock out to “One Night” and then, they joined forces on “Broccoli,” as fans sang the hook throughout the venue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKhfbesPhCo

Perhaps one of the night’s flyest performances came from the dapper Jidenna, who soared with a performance of his Chief cut “Helicopters.”

“They’ll shoot you down without warning when they see you shining bright,” he sang, before crowd surfing. “In case we don’t meet the morning, the crown’s on my head tonight.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOhGrsYBtA0

Crowd participation was the name of the game for Woodies artists, and Young M.A. worked this throughout her set, but especially during “Ooouuu,” asking the crowd to sing about the infamous Headphanie in unison.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnZTmJCI7RQ

Later, M.A. turned up the heat with “Hot Sauce,” her latest single from the forthcoming Herstory project. She was joined onstage by friends, adding to the set’s fun vibes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJqSBH0UpL4

Established hitmakers took the stage, but so did newcomers. Khalid rocked out to two soulful singles from his American Teen project: “Let’s Go” and “Location.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh0AjsKFju4

The performance was accompanied by a Woodie for “Woodie to Watch.” “Honestly, I don’t even know what to say,” he explained while accepting the honors. “I would have never expected this to happen, especially a year ago. I’m 19!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjGyYjBcKHA

Of course, the Bawse closed things out. After hosting the show, he came back out for “I Think She Like Me” and “Trap Trap Trap.” Starting in the crowd and ending on a confetti-filled stage, a PUMA-sporting Rozay performed his Rather You Than Me singles with a surprise appearance from Wale.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAeO3aD68xE