Among the nominees for the 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMA) is Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania, Wizkid and Tems from Nigeria, Ghana’s Amaarae, and Focalistic from South Africa.
KAMPALA | LIFESTYLE UGANDA ( https://lifestyleuganda.com/) — MTV has announced the nominees for the 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMA) which features some of Africa’s biggest artists including Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania, Wizkid and Tems from Nigeria, Ghana’s Amaarae and South Africa’s Focalistic.
- Check out all the nominees for the 2021 MTV EMA including Diamond Platnumz and Wizkid.
- With 8 nominations, Justin Bieber is the frontrunner for the 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards.
- The complete list of 2021 MTV EMA nominees is below.
- Additionally, check out Wizkid’s ‘essence’ Remix with Justin Bieber and Tems.
- See also Busta Rhymes’ statement that Diamond Platnumz is African Michael Jackson.
The Nigerian superstar Wizkid and Naija’s most impressive rising star Tems, who collaborated on “Essence,” each received nominations in the Best African Act category.
Tems said, “I’m extremely excited to be nominated for the Best African Act at the MTV EMAs. The last few years have been crazy and I am just grateful to God for all the blessings so far. I am honoured to be a part of the amazing voices from our continent who are breaking barriers and redefining music globally.”
Other nominees in the ‘Best African Act’ category at the 2021 MTV EMA include Diamond Platnumz as the only East African artist nominated, Ghanaian Amaarae and South African Focalistic.
Diamond Platnumz, a 32-year-old megastar and CEO of Wasafi records, has continued to make his country and the whole of East Africa proud by being nominated for these world’s most prestigious awards.
He infused hip-hop beats with Arabic, taarab and dansi styles, R&B and Caribbean influences into bongo flava, Tanzania’s native genre of slow songs, and gave it more uptempo production by replacing slow songs with uptempo creations.
He eventually made cameo appearances alongside stateside acts including Omarion (“African Beauty”), Rick Ross (“Waka”), Ne-Yo (“Marry You”), and most recently, Alicia Keys (“Wasted Energy”).
Despite his might reign in the music industry, the 32-year old megastar was nominated in the category for Best African Act last year but lost to Master KG, a South African musician.
“I am so happy and proud to be nominated at the 2021 MTV EMAs, it means a lot to me, my generation, the Swahili nation and the whole of Africa, I truly appreciate it,” commented Diamond Platnumz.
Justin Bieber leading the 2021 MTV EMA
Justin Bieber is currently the frontrunner for the 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards, having secured eight nominations.
Bieber is in the running for Best Artist, Best Pop, two nominations for Best Song, Peaches with Daniel Caesar and Giveon, and Stay with The Kid LAROI, “Best Video” for Peaches, as well as “Best Collaboration” with The Kid LAROI and “Biggest Fans.”
In addition to Bieber’s eight nominations, Doja Cat and Lil Nas X received six nominations each, across “Best Song,” “Best Video,” and “Best Collaboration.”
Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo, and The Kid LAROI each receive five nominations, including “Best Pop” and “Best Song” for Sheeran and Rodrigo, respectively. They are additionally nominated for “Best Local Act” for their countries.
Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager ViacomCBS Networks Africa, expressed his excitement about African stars performing on the biggest entertainment stage in the world.
In a statement, Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager for ViacomCBS Networks Africa said, ”The MTV EMAs 2021 are one of the biggest entertainment stages in the world and we are excited to see African stars make a presence felt international. Congratulations to all of our African nominees for their incredible achievements. This is an amazing showcase of their originality.”
This year’s MTV EMA will take place at Papp László Budapest Sportaréna in Hungary on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 3 p.m. ET.
As for Africa, the 2021 MTV EMAs will air on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322, GOtv Channel 72) on Sunday, November 14 at 20:00 WAT (Pre-Show) and 21:00 WAT (Main Show).
The show’s executive producers are Bruce Gillmer and Richard Godfrey, while its producers are Debbie Phillips and Chloe Mason.
Starting today, fans can vote for their favourite African Act at mtvema.com until Wednesday, November 10 at 22:59 WAT.
Check out the complete 2021 MTV EMA nominees list below.
Best African Act
- Tems
- Wizkid
- Amaarae
- Diamond Platnumz
- Focalistic
Best Artist
- Doja Cat
- Ed Sheeran
- Justin Bieber
- Lady Gaga
- Lil Nas X
- The Weeknd
Best Pop
- BTS
- Doja Cat
- Dua Lipa
- Ed Sheeran
- Justin Bieber
- Olivia Rodrigo
Best Song
- Doja Cat ft. SZA – Kiss Me More
- Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits
- Justin Bieber – Peaches ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
- Lil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
- Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers License
- The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber – STAY
Best Video
- Doja Cat ft. SZA – Kiss Me More
- Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits
- Justin Bieber – Peaches ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
- Lil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
- Normani ft. Cardi B – Wild Side
- Taylor Swift – willow
Best Collaboration
- Black Eyed Peas, Shakira – GIRL LIKE ME
- Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – Leave the Door Open
- Doja Cat ft. SZA – Kiss Me More
- Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – INDUSTRY BABY
- The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber – STAY
- The Weeknd & Ariana Grande – Save Your Tears (Remix)
Best New
- Giveon Griff
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Rauw Alejandro
- Saweetie
- The Kid LAROI
Best Electronic
- Calvin Harris
- David Guetta
- Joel Corry
- Marshmello
- Skrillex
- Swedish House Mafia
Best Rock
- Coldplay Foo Fighters
- Imagine Dragons
- Kings Of Leon
- Måneskin
- The Killers
Best Alternative
- Halsey Lorde
- Machine Gun Kelly
- Twenty-One Pilots
- WILLOW
- YUNGBLUD
Best Latin
- Bad Bunny
- J. Balvin
- Maluma
- Rauw Alejandro
- Rosalía
- Shakira
Best Hip Hop
- Cardi B
- DJ Khaled
- Drake
- Kanye West
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Nicki Minaj
Best K-Pop
- BTS
- LISA
- Monsta X
- NCT 127
- ROSÉ
- TWICE
Best Group
- BTS
- Imagine Dragons
- Jonas Brothers
- Little Mix
- Måneskin
- Silk Sonic
Best Push
- 24KGoldn
- Fousheé
- Girl in Red
- Griff
- JC Stewart
- JXDN
- Latto
- Madison Beer
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Remi Wolf
- SAINt JHN
- The Kid LAROI
Biggest Fans
- Ariana Grande
- BLACKPINK
- BTS
- Justin Bieber
- Lady Gaga
- Taylor Swift
Video for Good
- Billie Eilish – Your Power
- Demi Lovato – Dancing With The Devil
- girl in red – Serotonin
- H.E.R. – Fight For You
- Harry Styles – Treat People With Kindness
- Lil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
Best US Act (BEST LOCAL ACT*)
- Ariana Grande
- Doja Cat
- Lil Nas X
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Taylor Swift