One of the top winners at the 2013 Video Music Awards was rapper Macklemore and his collaborator Ryan Lewis, who walked away with three Moonmen.

"Cant Hold Us," the duo's collaboration with Ray Dalton, won for Best Cinematography and Best Hip-Hop Video. "Same Love," a collaboration with Mary Lambert, won for Best Video With a Message.

Macklemore and Lewis wrote and produced the rap ballad as advocates for gay rights. While accepting the award, the 30-year-old rapper noted how much the Moonman meant to him.

"I really wanted to win the Best Rap Video, but this Moonman right here stands for so much more," Macklemore said. He then commented on California's recent overturning of Prop 8. "Gay rights are human rights, there is no separation," he said. "To watch this song in the last year spread across the world is a testament to what is happening right now in America on the forefront of equality." 

Later in the night, NBA player Jason Collins introduced the duo and Mary Lambert for the performance of the song. Collins came out as gay earlier this year.

"Hating someone for their sexual orientation is the same as hating them for the color of their skin." Collins said, while standing next to rapper A$AP Rocky. "The only way things change is when you stand up for what you believe in."

In a big surprise, Jennifer Hudson joined the performance in a singing exhange with Lambert.

Another memorable moment from last night's awards occured when Taylor Swift won Best Female Video. While accepting the award for "I Knew You Were Trouble," she thanked the man who "knows exactly who he is" for inspiring her to write the song. "Now I got one of these," she said, while raising her award in the air.

Check out a complete list of winners from last night here.