In a groundbreaking move, the 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) has introduced a new category titled ‘Best Afrobeats’, shining a spotlight on the vibrant and globally influential Afrobeats music scene. This decision underscores the growing international recognition and appreciation of the Afrobeats genre.
Among the inaugural nominees for this category are Nigerian music heavyweights Burna Boy, Asake, Arya Starr, Davido, and Rema. They are joined by French-Malian superstar, Aya Nakamura, showcasing the global reach and influence of the Afrobeats sound.
Rema, who has been making waves internationally, received additional nominations for his collaborative hit with Selena Gomez, ‘Calm Down’, in both the ‘Best Song’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ categories. This recognition is a testament to the global appeal and versatility of African artists.
The ‘Best African Act’ category also saw nominations for Asake, Burna Boy, Cameroonian sensation Libianca, Tanzanian artist Diamond Platnumz, and South Africa’s Tyler ICU. Burna Boy, known for his electrifying performances, earned a spot in the ‘Best Live Performer’ category, standing alongside global icons like Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd.
American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift leads the nominations with a total of seven nods, including ‘Best Artist’, ‘Best Song’, and ‘Best Video’ for her single ‘Anti-Hero’.
See full list of nominees below:
| Category | Nominees |
|---|---|
| BEST SONG | Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red” Jung Kook feat. Latto – “Seven” Miley Cyrus – “Flowers” Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” SZA – “Kill Bill” Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” Rema, Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” |
| BEST VIDEO | Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion – “Bongos” Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red” Little Simz – “Gorilla” Miley Cyrus – “Flowers” Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” SZA – “Kill Bill” Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” |
| BEST ARTIST | Doja Cat Miley Cyrus Nicki Minaj Olivia Rodrigo SZA Taylor Swift |
| BEST COLLABORATION | Central Cee x Dave – “Sprinter” David Guetta, Anne-Marie, Coi Leray – “Baby Don’t Hurt Me” KAROL G, Shakira – “TQG” Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage – “Creepin'” PinkPantheress, Ice Spice – “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” Rema, Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” |
| BEST NEW | Coi Leray FLO Ice Spice Peso Pluma PinkPantheress Reneé Rapp |
| BEST POP | Billie Eilish Dua Lipa Ed Sheeran Miley Cyrus Olivia Rodrigo Taylor Swift |
| BEST AFROBEATS | Asake Aya Nakamura Ayra Starr Burna Boy Davido Rema |
| BEST ROCK | Arctic Monkeys Foo Fighters Måneskin Metallica Red Hot Chili Peppers The Killers |
| BEST LATIN | Anitta Bad Bunny KAROL G Peso Pluma ROSALÍA Shakira |
| BEST K-POP | FIFTY FIFTY Jung Kook NewJeans SEVENTEEN Stray Kids TOMORROW X TOGETHER |
| BEST ALTERNATIVE | Blur Fall Out Boy Lana Del Rey Paramore Thirty Seconds To Mars YUNGBLUD |
| BEST ELECTRONIC | Alesso Calvin Harris David Guetta Swedish House Mafia Peggy Gou Tiësto |
| BEST HIP HOP | Cardi B Central Cee Lil Wayne Lil Uzi Vert Metro Boomin Nicki Minaj Travis Scott |
| BEST R&B | Chlöe Chris Brown Steve Lacy Summer Walker SZA Usher |
| BEST LIVE | Beyoncé Burna Boy Ed Sheeran Måneskin SZA Taylor Swift The Weeknd |
| BEST PUSH | November 2022: Flo Milli December 2022: Reneé Rapp January 2023: Sam Ryder February 2023: Armani White March 2023: FLETCHER April 2023: TOMORROW X TOGETHER May 2023: Ice Spice June 2023: FLO July 2023: Lauren Spencer Smith August 2023: Kaliii September 2023: GloRilla October 2023: Benson Boone |
| BIGGEST FANS | Anitta Billie Eilish BLACKPINK Jung Kook Nicki Minaj Olivia Rodrigo Sabrina Carpenter Selena Gomez Taylor Swift |
| BEST GROUP | aespa FLO Jonas Brothers Måneskin NewJeans OneRepublic SEVENTEEN TOMORROW X TOGETHER |
The 2023 MTV EMAs are scheduled to take place on November 5, 2023, in Paris, France. This year’s inclusion of the Afrobeats category follows a similar move by the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), which also recently added an Afrobeats category, marking a significant milestone in the award’s history.
The introduction of the ‘Best Afrobeats’ category at such prestigious award ceremonies is a clear indication of the genre’s growing influence on the global music stage. It not only celebrates the rich musical heritage of Africa but also recognizes the contributions of African artists to the global music industry.
The world will be eagerly watching as the MTV EMAs celebrate the best in music, with a special focus on the vibrant and dynamic sounds of Afrobeats.
