For almost 20 years, the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) have showcased a Best African Act category, making it one of the first Western accolades to honor the evolution and diversity of contemporary African pop music since the year 2000. This year’s candidates highlight a rich variety of talent from Nigeria, Tanzania, and South Africa, featuring stars like Ayra Starr and Asake from Nigeria, Tanzanian sensation Diamond Platnumz, South African favorite Tyla, DJ DBN Gogo, and duo TitoM and Yuppe.
In addition, Ayra Starr, Asake, and Tyla are also up for Best Afrobeats, a category introduced at the EMAs for the first time in 2023. Other nominees in this category include Burna Boy, Tems, and last year’s winner, Rema.
The Best African Act award signifies an important acknowledgment that African music encompasses more than just Afrobeats. While the term “Afrobeats” has faced some criticism for being too broad and overly used to describe music influenced by West African artists, the EMAs continue to promote the continent’s artistic spectrum.
During her acceptance speech for the Best Afrobeats award at the MTV VMAs, Tyla highlighted the rich diversity found within African music. If she secures a win in one of the African categories, she could reiterate this message strongly. Additionally, she is nominated in the Best New and Best R&B categories.
Matching Tyla’s nominations, Ayra Starr is also recognized at the EMAs, with entries for Best New and Best Push thanks to her captivating performances of tracks like “Last Heartbreak Song” featuring Giveon and “Woman Commando,” a highlight from her second album The Year I Turned 21. She faces competition from American Nigerian country-pop star Shaboozey, along with American R&B artists Coco Jones and Victoria Monét, among others.
The 2024 EMAs will be hosted at Manchester’s Co-Op Live on Sunday, November 10. Fans can cast their votes for the various categories on the MTV EMAs website up until November 6.
Here’s a brief overview of the nominees:
BEST AFRICAN ACT
Asake
Ayra Starr
DBN Gogo
Diamond Platnumz
TitoM & Yuppe
Tyla
BEST AFROBEATS
Asake
Ayra Starr
Burna Boy
Rema
Tems
Tyla
BEST PUSH
Ayra Starr
Chappell Roan
Coco Jones
Flyana Boss
Jessie Murph
Laufey
LE SSERAFIM
Mark Ambor
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
The Warning
Victoria Monét
BEST NEW
Ayra Starr
Benson Boone
Chappell Roan
LE SSERAFIM
Teddy Swims
The Last Dinner Party
Tyla
BEST R&B
Kehlani
SZA
Tinashe
Tyla
USHER
Victoria Monét
BEST SONG
Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”
Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things”
Beyoncé – “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM”
Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
Chappell Roan – “Good Luck, Babe!”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
BEST VIDEO
Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”
Charli xcx – “360”
Eminem – “Houdini”
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
LISA ft. Rosalía – “NEW WOMAN”
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
BEST HIP-HOP
Central Cee
Eminem
Kendrick Lamar
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Travis Scott
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