The glitzy MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMAs) for 2023 unfolded on the 5th of November, revealing a celebration of African musical talent with notable victories for Nigeria’s Rema and Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz.
Rema made history as the inaugural winner of the newly-established “Best Afrobeats” category. His competition featured other prominent African artists, including Asake, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Davido, and the French-Malian sensation, Aya Nakamura. The accolade was a testament to Rema’s undeniable influence on the Afrobeats music genre.
In addition to his win in the Afrobeats category, Rema’s chart-topping collaboration with US pop star Selena Gomez, “Calm Down,” earned nominations in the highly-competitive “Best Song” and “Best Collaboration” segments, though victory eluded him in those categories.
Diamond Platnumz, a celebrated figure in the African music scene, emerged as the “Best African Act.” This prestigious recognition pitted him against stiff competition from Nigerian superstar Burna Boy, the rising sensation Asake, Cameroon’s Libianca, and South Africa’s musical sensation Tyler ICU. The Tanzanian artist’s impact was undeniable, securing his place as the best African act of the year.
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Originally slated to be hosted in Paris, France, with live broadcasts beamed to over 150 nations, the MTV EMAs faced an unexpected twist. On the 19th of October, MTV issued a statement cancelling the ceremony, citing the “volatility of world events” against the backdrop of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The statement, in part, emphasized the inappropriateness of a global celebration in the midst of a global crisis, stating, “With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning.” Nevertheless, voting continued, and the laurels were awarded to the deserving artists. MTV expressed its anticipation for the return of the MTV EMAs in November 2024.
Amid the notable wins for Rema and Diamond Platnumz, the 2023 MTV EMAs’ biggest victor was US sensation Taylor Swift, who triumphed in categories including “Best Artist,” “Best Live,” and “Best Video.”
The awards marked a grand celebration of global musical talent, honoring artists who have left indelible marks on the industry. The MTV EMAs continue to recognize and applaud the remarkable contributions of musicians worldwide.
Here’s the complete list of winners:
– Best Afrobeats: Rema
– Best African Act: Diamond Platnumz
These acknowledgments affirm the global impact of African music and underscore the incredible talent emerging from the continent.
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