At MTV EMAs, Burna Boy wins, Best African Act, Tems, loses out

By David Adebayo

The much-talked about MTV European Music Awards went down last night and crowned one of Nigeria’s chart topping music stars, Burna Boy, as Best African Act.

Burna Boy was nominated alongside Ayra Starr, Black Sheriff, Tems, Zuchu and Musa Keyz but the Breakfast singer who has been on a roller coaster of success proved why he is currently the biggest African artiste even on the global stage.

There was a section of the audience who rooted for Tems, another Nigerian female music star, whose career has been on the global map since she broke out on the music scene with back-to-back hit singles.

Tems covered Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” for the Marvel movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, released in July 2022 and in the same month her song “Free Mind” from her debut EP on the Hot 100.

But this was not enough to displace Burna Boy who has remained at the top of Nigeria’s music exports across the world.

Tems lost the Best New Act prize to Seventeen and Nigerian disc Jockey DJ Spinall was one of the artists who peformed at the Award that held in Dusseldorf, Germany.

See full winners list:

Best song

Bad Bunny, Chencho Corleone – “Me Porto Bonito”

Harry Styles – “As It Was”

Jack Harlow – “First Class”

Lizzo – “About Damn Time”

WINNER: 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”

WINNER: Taylor Swift – “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)”

Best artist

Adele

Beyoncé

Harry Styles

Nicki Minaj

Rosalía

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Best new

Baby Keem

Dove Cameron

Gayle

WINNER: Seventeen

Stephen Sanchez

Tems

Best collaboration

Bad Bunny, Chencho Corleone – “Me Porto Bonito”

WINNER: 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 with Doja Cat – “I Like You (A Happier Song)”

Shakira, Rauw Alejandro – “Te Felicito”

Tiësto & Ava Max – “The Motto”

Best live

Coldplay

Ed Sheeran

WINNER: Harry Styles

Kendrick Lamar

Lady Gaga

The Weeknd

Best pop

Billie Eilish

Doja Cat

Ed Sheeran

Harry Styles

Lizzo

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Best K-pop