MTV Europe Music Awards: triumph of Taylor Swift, breakthrough of South African Tyla

A triumph. American pop megastar Taylor Swift won four awards on Sunday evening at the MTV European Music Awards, during a ceremony celebrating the big names in world music in Manchester (United Kingdom).

The 34-year-old artist, who was not present, won in the main categories including artist of the year, best live artist and best video for her music video “Fortnight” with artist Post Malone. She was also awarded in the Best American Artist category.

In a pre-recorded message, the “Shake it off” singer expressed her “sadness” at not being able to be there. “The fact that you won the tour, the album and the video (for the Fortnight clip) is just incredible,” she said, saluting her compatriot Post Malone.

At the top of the nominations – seven in total – she however lost to Ariana Grande in the pop artist of the year category.

Moving tribute to Liam Payne

Not to mention his gigantic “Eras” tour, the most lucrative in music history. A record year for the thirty-year-old who was crowned Person of the Year by Time magazine.

The ceremony, which gave pride of place to female artists, opened shortly after 8:00 p.m. GMT (and local time) with the impressive performance of American Benson Boone, winner of the title of revelation of the year.

A moving tribute to Liam Payne, former member of the British boy band One Direction who died at the end of October at the age of 31, was paid by the mistress of ceremonies, singer Rita Ora.

South African singer Tyla won three awards, including best R&B artist. The other surprise comes in four letters: Lisa. A Thai K-pop artist, a true global musical phenomenon.

She won in two general categories including best collaboration, for her title “New Woman” with the Spanish singer Rosalia, and largest fan base, ahead of Taylor Swift and her army of “Swifties”.

The song of the year trophy went to American Sabrina Carpenter for her summer hit “Espresso”.

Eminem, back in 2024 with a new album, won the trophy for best hip-hop artist for the tenth time.

Pierre Garnier, best French artist

In the Rock category, Liam Gallagher, legendary voice of the group Oasis, won. Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher announced at the end of August that they were reforming their legendary group for a tour, 15 years after their shattering separation.

This edition, which was intended to be international with the presence of Lisa or the Nigerian Ayra in general categories, remained dominated by Anglo-Saxon artists.

Latino artists, purveyors of global hits, have not established themselves in any general category. In the Latin music category, Mexican artist Peso Plua won against Shakira and Karol G.

The French Snake and David Guetta, both nominated in the electronic music category, also left empty-handed, the trophy having been awarded to Calvin Harris.

In the France category, the interpreter of “Djadja”, Aya Nakamura, one of the most listened to French-speaking artists in the world, lost to Pierre Garnier, revealed in the Star Academy.

The 2023 ceremony, which was to be held near Paris, was canceled due to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the organizers having considered that the moment was “not conducive to an international festive event”.