Leading Nigerian hip-hop singer and producer, Burna Boy has won the Best Africa Act award at the 2019 MTV EMA.
The star-studded event, held in Seville, Spain on Sunday night, also featured celebrity performances from Dua Lipa (Don’t Start Now), Mabel (Don’t Call Me Up), Akon feat. Becky G (Como No), Halsey (Graveyard), and NCT 127 (Highway to Heaven) among others.
DON’T MISS THIS: #MTVEMA2019: COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS
Daily Trust reports that Burna Boy was nominated alongside another Nigerian, Teni the Entertainer; South Africa’s Prince Kaybee and Nasty C; Harmonize from Tanzania and Togo’s duo TooFan.
With this award, Burna Boy joins an exclusive list of Nigerian A-list artistes who have won the highly-coveted international honour.
Other past Nigerian winners of the MTV EMA Best Africa Act award include 2Baba Idibia, D’Banj, Tiwa Savage and Davido.
Commenting on the award, Alex Okosi, Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) and BET International, said: “African music continues to make significant contributions to global entertainment and culture.
“We are proud of and congratulate Burna Boy from Nigeria for winning the Best Africa Act at the 2019 MTV EMA which showcases and celebrates the best talent from the world.”
This year’s awards show opened with pop-star Dua Lipa delivering the first global stage performance of her new song: “Don’t Start Now.”
Following the performance, the show host, Becky G, appeared in her first of many costumes to partake in a hilarious bilingual dialogue with herself that was a nod to the outstanding year in women-led and Latin music.
Also, 22-year-old Kevin Doe from Sierra Leone who is a self-taught engineer and entrepreneur was recognised as one of the 2019 MTV EMA Generation Change Award winners.
It will be recalled that the “MTV EMA Generation Change Award” returned for the second consecutive time to elevate and empower the fearless, original young people who are changing the world using music, creativity and innovation.
Five dynamic change-makers from around the globe were presented with the award during the “2019 MTV EMA” red carpet pre-show.
The winners are among a generation of young people who are tackling the world’s toughest problems – including, climate change, economic imbalance and racial injustice, the organisers said.
South African TV Personality and rapper, Boity Thulo, walked the 2019 MTV EMA’s Red Carpet in Seville, Spain. She joined Impulse winner, Alice Matabane, and BFF on an experience to remember after winning their Impulse competition on MTV Africa.
Other highlights from the show include the 2019 MTV EMA Host, Becky G, teaming up with Senegalese-American singer, Akon, for the first global performance of their reggaeton smash: “Como No.”
The duo rolled down the runway-like stage on gliding carnival floats, as the procession was marked with an explosion of colour, 54 dancers and a blend of instruments in a standout moment.
Similarly, legendary rock group, Green Day, delighted thousands of hardcore fans with an epic performance of their new single “Father of All” and punk classic “Basket Case.”
The first-ever MTV EMA Rock Icon winner, Liam Gallagher, closed the show with a breathtaking performance of his new single “Once” and anthemic hit “Wonderwall” complete with string instruments and a band. The moment was a nod to Gallagher’s classic rock and roll style.
Meanwhile, during the award ceremony, MTV celebrated all the local EMA winners from different countries including Nigeria, Spain, and Latin America, among others, as thirteen past winners in attendance were brought onto the stage for a tremendous in-show moment that showcased a truly global celebration of talent.
FULL LIST OF CELEBRITIES’ PERFORMANCE AT THE 2019 MTV EMA
Dua Lipa – “Don’t Start Now”
Mabel – “Don’t Call Me Up”
Niall Horan – “Nice to Meet Ya”
Akon feat. Becky G – “Como No”
Green Day – “Father of All,” Basket Case”
Halsey – “Graveyard”
Ava Max – “Torn,” “Sweet but Psycho”
Rosalía – “Di Mi Nombre”
NCT 127 – “Highway to Heaven”
Becky G – “24/7,” “Sin Pajama,” “Mayores”
Liam Gallagher – “Once,” “Wonderwall”
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