Popular Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor, better known as Rema, won the maiden ‘Best Afrobeats’ award at 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards.
The organisers introduced a new category called ‘Best Afrobeats’ into the 2023 event.
The pioneer nominees were French superstar, Aya Nakamura, and Nigerian singers, Asake, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Davido, and Rema.
Although the award ceremony was cancelled amid the Israel-Hamas war, the organisers still announced the winners on Sunday, November 6, 2023.
Rema, was considered the ‘Best Afrobeats winner, while Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz won the ‘Best African Act’ category.
However, Rema and Selena Gomez’s ‘Calm Down’ lost the “Best Collaboration” category to Jung Kook and Latto’s ‘Seven’.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Burna Boy lost three awards, including ‘Best Afrobeats, ‘Best African Act’, and ‘Best Live Performer’.
This came barely two weeks after he lost all seven nominations at the 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards.
American singer, Taylor Swift led the winners chart with three awards at the 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards; Best Video, Best Artist and Best Live.
See the complete list below;
Best Song
Doja Cat – “Paint the Town Red”
WINNER: 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”
WINNER: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
Best Artist
Doja Cat
Miley Cyrus
Nicki Minaj
Olivia Rodrigo
SZA
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Best Collaboration
Central Cee x Dave – “Sprinter”
David Guetta, Anne-Marie, Coi Leray – “Baby Don’t Hurt Me”
WINNER: 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”
