African Giants: Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, others nominated for 2023 MTV EMA Best Afrobeats category
African music superstars Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, Asake, Ayra Starr, Diamond Platnumz, Libianca and Aya Nakamura are among the nominees for the 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs).
While Nigerian Afrobeats stars – Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, Asake, Ayra Starr, and French-Malian Aya Nakamura, were nominated for the brand new “Best Afrobeat” category; Burna Boy, Asake, Cameroonian superstar Libianca, Tanzanian artiste, Diamond Platnumz, and South Africa’s Tyler ICU were nominated in the “Best African Act” category.
Burna Boy also bagged a nomination in the “Best Live Performer” category alongside Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, and others.
Rema bagged two other nominations in the “Best Song” and “Best Collaboration” categories with the global hit “Calm Down”, a collaboration with Selena Gomez.
American superstar Taylor Swift leads the pack with seven nominations, including Best Artist, Best Song and Best Video. Olivia Rodrigo and SZA follow closely with six nominations each, while also in the running for Best Artist, Best Song and Best Video. Doja Cat, Måneskin, Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj are all tied with 4 nominations each, including Best Song and Best Artist.
This year’s nominees include 26 first-timers, including BTS’s Jung Kook, who has three nominations—his first MTV EMA nod as a solo artist. Fellow newcomers Central Cee, FLO, Ice Spice and PinkPantheress also have three nods each, and Asake, Coi Leray, Metro Boomin, NewJeans, Peso Pluma and Reneé Rapp nabbed two nominations each.
The Senior Vice President and General Manager for Paramount Africa and Lead for BET International, Monde Twala, said 2023 marked a historic moment for the MTV EMAs “as we proudly embrace and celebrate the rich diversity of talent from across the globe.”
“This year’s nominations reflect our commitment to showcasing artists from all corners of the world, highlighting their unique voices and talent. We are thrilled to introduce the ‘Best Afrobeats’ category, a testament to the global impact and influence of this vibrant genre,” Twala stated.
The 2023 MTV EMA will take place in Paris for the first time since 1995. This year’s ceremony will be held at Paris Nord Villepinte. According to the organisers, the 2023 awards show will broadcast live on MTV in more than 150 countries.
The statement added that beginning today, fans can visit www.mtvema.com to vote for their favourite artists across all categories, including Best Song, Best Artist, Best Collaboration, Best Afrobeats and others. Voting will remain open until October 31.
