Six African stars get nod for MTV Europe Music Awards

First awarded in 1994, MTV Europe Music Awards celebrate the best music of the year and the biggest artists from around the world. This year marks the sixth time the awards are heading to Germany where the event will be broadcast live on MTV in more than 170 countries. 

The Africans were shortlisted in the Best African Act category. Tems scored an additional nomination in the Best New Act category alongside US musicians Baby Keem, Stephen Sanchez, Dove Cameron and GAYLE, and South Korean boy band SEVENTEEN. 

This year’s most nominated acts are English singer Harry Styles with seven nods and US popstar Taylor Swift with six. Nicki Minaj and ROSALÍA (US) scored five nominations apiece.

Fans can vote for their favourite African artist here. Voting is open until 9 November at 11.59pm CAT.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Best Song

• Bad Bunny, Chencho Corleone - ‘Me Porto Bonito’
• Harry Styles - ‘As It Was’
• Jack Harlow - ‘First Class’
• Lizzo - ‘About Damn Time’
• Nicki Minaj - ‘Super Freaky Girl’
• ROSALÍA - ‘DESPECHÁ’

Best Video

• BLACKPINK - ‘Pink Venom’
• Doja Cat - ‘Woman’
• Harry Styles - ‘As It Was’
• Kendrick Lamar - ‘The Heart Part 5’
• Nicki Minaj - ‘Super Freaky Girl’
• Taylor Swift - ‘All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)’

Best Artist

• Adele
• Beyoncé
• Harry Styles
• Nicki Minaj
• ROSALÍA
• Taylor Swift

Best African Act

• Ayra Star
• Burna Boy
• Tems
• Black Sherif
• Zuchu 
• Musa Keys

Best Collaboration

• Bad Bunny, Chencho Corleone - ‘Me Porto Bonito’
• David Guetta & Bebe Rexha - ‘I’m Good (Blue)’
• DJ Khaled ft. Drake & Lil Baby - ‘STAYING ALIVE’
• Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa - ‘Sweetest Pie’
• Post Malone ft. Doja Cat - ‘I Like You (A Happier Song)’
• Shakira ft. Rauw Alejandro - ‘Te Felicito’
• Tiësto & Ava Max - ‘The Motto’

Best Live

• Coldplay
• Ed Sheeran
• Harry Styles
• Kendrick Lamar
• Lady Gaga
• The Weeknd

Best Pop

• Billie Eilish
• Doja Cat
• Ed Sheeran
• Harry Styles
• Lizzo
• Taylor Swift

Best New

• Baby Keem
• Dove Cameron
• GAYLE
• SEVENTEEN
• Stephen Sanchez
• Tems

Best K-Pop

• BLACKPINK
• BTS
• ITZY
• LISA
• SEVENTEEN
• TWICE

Best Latin

• Anitta
• Bad Bunny
• Becky G
• J Balvin
• ROSALÍA
• Shakira

Best Electronic

• Calvin Harris
• David Guetta
• DJ Snake
• Marshmello
• Swedish House Mafia
• Tiësto

Best Hip Hop

• Drake
• Future
• Jack Harlow
• Kendrick Lamar
• Lil Baby
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Nicki Minaj

Best Rock

• Foo Fighters
• Liam Gallagher
• Måneskin
• Muse
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• The Killers

Best Alternative

• Gorillaz
• Imagine Dragons
• Panic! At The Disco
• Tame Impala
• Twenty One Pilots
• YUNGBLUD

Best R&B

• Chlöe
• Giveon
• H.E.R.
• Khalid
• Summer Walker
• SZA

Best Longform Video

• Foo Fighters - ‘Studio 666’
• ROSALÍA - ‘MOTOMAMI (ROSALÍA TikTok LIVE Performance)’
• Stormzy - ‘Mel Made Me Do It’
• Taylor Hawkins Tribute concert, London’s Wembley Stadium
• Taylor Swift - ‘All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)’

Video For Good

• Ed Sheeran - ‘2step (feat. Lil Baby)’
• Kendrick Lamar - ‘The Heart Part 5’
• Latto - ‘P*ssy’
• Lizzo - ‘About Damn Time’
• Sam Smith - ‘Unholy (feat. Kim Petras)’
• Stromae - ‘Fils de joie’

Biggest Fans

• BLACKPINK
• BTS
• Harry Styles
• Lady Gaga
• Nicki Minaj
• Taylor Swift

Best Push

• Nessa Barrett
• SEVENTEEN
• Mae Muller
• GAYLE
• Shenseea
• Omar Apollo
• Wet Leg
• Muni Long
• Doechii
• Saucy Santana
• Stephen Sanchez
• JVKE

Best Metaverse Performance

• BLACKPINK - ‘The Virtual’ | PUBG
• BTS | Minecraft
• Charli XCX | Roblox
• Justin Bieber - ‘An Interactive Virtual Experience’ | Wave
• Twenty One Pilots Concert Experience | Roblox