Afrobeats artistes will have their shine at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA). The genre has been added as one of the categories for prestigious awards for the first time.
Organizers of the prestigious event announced the introduction of Afrobeats as they released nominations for the awards on Wednesday.
According to Billboard, the 2023 MTV EMA will be held on November 5 and will be broadcast live to more than 150 countries from the Paris Nord.
Burna Boy, Asake, Ayra Starr, Davido, and others nominated for 2023 MTV EMA
The nominees in the maiden category are French superstar, Aya Nakamura, and Nigerian singers, Asake, Arya Starr, Burna Boy, Davido and Rema.
Apart from the new Afrobeats category, the genre featured prominently in other categories. Nigerian singer Rema’s hit remix with Selena Gomez, Calm Down, was nominated in the Best Song and Best Collaboration categories.
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Asake, Burna Boy, Cameroon’s Libianca, Tanzanian’s Diamond Platnumz, and South Africa’s Tyler ICU were also nominated in the Best African Act category.
Taylor Swift and other nominees for the 2023 MTV EMA
Afrobeats is not the only focal point after the announcement of MTV EMA nominees. American singer Taylor Swift led the nominations with seven nods, including Best Artist, Best Song, and Best Video.
With six nominations each, including for Best Artiste, Best Song and Best Video, Olivia Rodrigo and SZA followed Swift closely. Doja Cat, Måneskin, Miley Cyrus, and Nicki Minaj got four nominations each.
The addition of Afrobeats in the MTV EMA categories follows in the footsteps of MTV VMAs. The maiden edition was won by Nigerian singer Rema at the awards ceremony held on September 13. It was the remixed version of Calm Down featuring Selena Gomez that won Rema the award.
Burna Boy and Fireboy DML win BMI Awards
Meanwhile, two of Afrobeats’ most acclaimed stars, Burna Boy and Fireboy DML, were named among the winners at the 2023 BMI London Awards.
The Nigerian stars received the ‘Most Performed Work of the Year’ awards presented to over 20 songs.
The award comes after Last Last hitmaker was announced as headliner for the 2023 AfroNation festival scheduled for December in his home country of Nigeria.