2020 EMA's

11.9.20

2020 MTV EMA’s Live 11.8.20

Yesterday brought us the 2020 MTV Europe Music Awards. The event comes about three months after the USA VMA’s and just a few weeks after the BET Hip-Hop awards. Music is the universal language, and the one thing that has been holding together this terrible year for many, so I am excited to check out the nominees and the winner’s from last nights awards show.

Cardi B was one of many whom shared a post expressing her gratitude for winning one of these awards. Being from the United States, it is so interesting to look at the categories and compare the nominees. There are so many overlaps, which proves the theory of music being a universal language. Still, there are many differences, the way that this list feels a bit more pop relevant than the previous awards shows covered. The EMA’s have been promoted on MTV channels nationwide, and this is honestly another exciting night no matter where you are from. Who does not love music, entertainment, fancy outfits and some awards?

Let’s take a look through the EMA winners, and just watch how aligned we are when it comes to music.

Best Video
Billie Eilish – everything i wanted
Cardi B – WAP ft Megan Thee Stallion
DJ Khaled featuring Drake 'Popstar' starring Justin Bieber
Karol G – Tusa ft Nicki Minaj
Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande – Rain On Me
Taylor Swift – The Man
The Weeknd – Blinding Lights

It looks like, at least in this category, the EMA’s have one more nominee than the VMA’s. Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd were all nominated in this category during the VMA’s, and The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights came out on top. Karol G and Nicki Minaj were up for other awards, but I do not think it had really hit here during the time of the VMA’s. Similarly, if WAP and Popstar were launched in time for the VMA’s, they definitely would have made the cute. EMA’s had a bit more time to through in some extra video heat, and they chose correctly. Justin Bieber playing the role of Drake in this music video was legendary, and felt right for his real life character, overall.

Best Artist
Dua Lipa
Harry Styles
Justin Bieber
Lady Gaga
Miley Cyrus
The Weeknd

This category is one of the most interesting. Between the VMA’s and the EMA’s, Lady Gaga was selected the Best Artist/Artist of the Year, for both. Absolutely well deserved, may I add, with the raw messaging and pure talent she shows. The Weeknd and Justin Bieber were mutual nominees in each, but the rest are a bit different. Dua Lipa, Harry Styles and Miley Cyrus from the EMA’s go against DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion and Post Malone from the VMA’s. I think the EMA’s talent are all relevant in the USA, but would have done better on a younger audience’s awards show during this time. Right now, USA seems focused on hip-hop and how they will change the narrative of their culture.

Best Song
BTS – Dynamite
DaBaby – Rockstar ft Roddy Ricch
Dua Lipa – Don't Start Now
Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande – Rain On Me
Roddy Ricch – The Box
The Weeknd – Blinding Lights

Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande took home this award during the VMA’s earlier this year. Roddy was also a nomination. BTS did take home a couple of awards during the VMA’s in other categories, but we know this is where they truly shine. Similar to N’SNYC and the Backstreet Boys many years ago, BTS got their huge push in Europe, and is making it is way to fame world wide. I cannot say I am surprised about this win.

Best Collaboration
BLACKPINK, Selena Gomez – Ice Cream
Cardi B – WAP ft Megan Thee Stallion
DaBaby – Rockstar ft. Roddy Ricch
Justin Bieber – Intentions ft Quavo
Karol G – Tusa ft Nicki Minaj
Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande – Rain On Me
Sam Smith, Demi Lovato – I'm Ready

I love this win for Karol G and Nicki Minaj. It is a definitely a different sound that I was not quite sure where it would hit the best. Not to mention, there are some really big collaborations on this list. Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande took this one in the VMA’s. Selena and BLACKPINK? Cardi and Megan? Sam Smith and Demi? I cannot believe this. Either the Barbz were working overtime, or this is a big step for Latin music hitting the mainstream.

Best Pop
BTS
Dua Lipa
Harry Styles
Justin Bieber
Katy Perry
Lady Gaga
Little Mix

BTS took this home for the VMA’s, which may very well be the best Pop known at the moment. Quite frankly, I do not even know who Little Mix is, but they were actually the hosts of this years’ EMA’S. They have a lot of great options, that make sense for the category as well, which may be where the VMA’s went off track a bit. However, the last time we saw a female group so strong, was probably the Pussycat Dolls, if we want to include them here. So, I am loving this choice, and I may just have to go stream a bit. Congratulations, ladies.

Best Group
5 Seconds of Summer
BLACKPINK
BTS
Chloe x Halle
CNCO
Little Mix

Looking back, Little Mix actually was nominated for this category during the VMA’s. However, BTS took this one home, as well. There is something about the depth of the group - seven members. The diversity in everyone’s sound and their ability to create music that speaks to all of their listeners. Hey, this is not my type of music whatsoever, but there is not anyone touching them in this space, at this given moment of time.

Best New
BENEE
DaBaby
Doja Cat
Jack Harlow
Roddy Ricch
YUNGBLUD

The VMA’s did not have “Best New” and “Best Push” - they only had push. However, Doja Cat did win this award. She was nominated in both categories, along with a similar nominee cast for the rest of them. I am happy for Doja getting the recognition she deserves, because I have known her to be around for a couple of years now. Say So brought her radio relevance, and the Nicki Minaj remix feature brought her popularity. She has had a bit of a rough go this year on the internet, but again, all that aside, the music landed her here. She also got to perform and looked amazing, as usual.

Biggest Fans
Ariana Grande
BLACKPINK
BTS
Justin Bieber
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift

This category actually did not exist for the VMA’s. It is so funny, Ariana fans, JB fans, Gaga fans and Taylor Swift fans are all complete die hards, but BTS cannot be beat right now. This is their award show for the taking.

Best Latin
Anuel AA
Bad Bunny
J Balvin
Karol G
Maluma
Ozuna

The nominees here were identical to those of the VMA’s, though with a different outcome. Maluma and J Balvin took this home earlier this year, and I would guess for two reasons. The timing, and the knowledge of J Balvin. I would say out of everyone, he has the most popularity in the USA, with Bad Bunny making some serious waves. After Karol G’s big break with the Nicki Minaj feature, there is no telling where she will stop. This is a huge moment for this category, and its popularity nation wide. I am very excited for what is to come next.

Best Rock
Coldplay
Green Day
Liam Gallagher
Pearl Jam
Tame Impala
The Killers

This category felt funny both times. Do any of these groups have new music or is it just us reminiscing our childhoods? That was an ignorant question, because yes, they are making new music, it just might not be the top of our minds, or ears, right now. Coldplay took home the win for the VMA’s, as well as the EMA’s. I think this group has the power to be more playable for any audience, opposed to others who may be a little to raspy, too rock, too eery or emotional. Coldplay is for everyone, so I agree with the choice of winner.

Best Hip Hop
Cardi B
DaBaby
Drake
Eminem
Megan Thee Stallion
Roddy Ricch
Travis Scott

As always, I want to see Eminem win. But I am so happy for Cardi B to take this win home, she really deserves it after the year she has had, not just in music, but overall to help out her industry and her country. Megan Thee Stallion won this award during the VMA’s. I wonder if Europe is as obsessed with Megan as the USA is. We do have to remember, WAP is Cardi’s song, and it was her idea to bring on board so many women in the hip-hop industry to have their time to shine, and encourage them to be their best selves, and blow up (in the industry).

Best Electronic
Calvin Harris
David Guetta
Kygo
Marshmello
Martin Garrix
The Chainsmokers

The VMA’s did not have Bets Electronic, but I think this is something that will come overtime, as festivals and EDM continues to grow in popularity. I am happy to see David Guetta take home this win, but a bit surprised. I kind of thought that people in this category would ride for Marshmello the way BTS fans ride for BTS - but then again, maybe this fanbase just is not hip to voting on these kinds of things. Either way, all amazing nominations here, congrats to all.

Best Alternative
blackbear
FKA twigs
Hayley Williams
Machine Gun Kelly
The 1975
twenty one pilots

Machine Gun Kelly took home this award during the VMA’s, and the winner here is completely different. The 1975 and Twenty One Pilots were repeating nominees, though the rest different. I am not sure I am super familiar with Hayley Williams, but she is actually from Mississippi. We will have to watch and see if she gains traction in the USA.

Video for Good
Anderson .Paak – Lockdown
David Guetta & Sia – Let's love
Demi Lovato - I Love Me
H.E.R. – I Can't Breathe
Jorja Smith – By Any Means
Lil Baby – The Bigger Picture

A lot of the Video for Good nominees are the same, including the winner. I think this category means more than just about any other one. Not only because it is showing that music is universal, but it shows that after everything the world has been through this year, and all that the United States has been through with police brutality, the presidential election and all the protesting on top of the pandemic that effects people everywhere, our countries have really come together to support one another. This category would not exist if it was not for all of this negativity that has happened. However, music always finds it way to educate, acknowledge, and do good.

Best Push
AJ Mitchell
Ashnikko
BENEE
Brockhampton
Conan Gray
Doja Cat
Georgia
Jack Harlow
Lil Tecca
Tate McRae
Wallows
YUNGBLUD

I love that there are so many nominees for this category, because it shows the immense volume of talent in the industry, and variety of new music that there is to listen too. Every single week I am just waiting for Friday for new talent to come out with new music. It is difficult, especially nowadays, to get new talent and new work off the ground and running, so congratulations to all the nominees for really pushing through and making a name for themselves during these times. During the VMA’s, Doja Cat won the Best PUSH artist, whom is also a nominee here. Jack Harlow and Yungblud were also nominees in this category during the VMA’s. I am not totally sure if the USA is ready for someone like Yungblud in hip-hop, or if he rubbed people the wrong way by introducing himself with MGK who has not had the best rep lately, but the talent is undeniably there, and I think Europe is better at just taking the music for what it is rather than everything else that comes with it.

Best Virtual Live
BTS BANG BANG CON – The Live
J Balvin – Behind The Colores Live Experience
Katy Perry @ Tomorrow Land – Around The World
Little Mix – UNCancelled
Maluma – Papi Juancho Live
Post Malone - Nirvana Tribute

The Post Malone Nirvana Tribute was the one nominee to overlap. This performance was super cool, and it was available to stream on YouTube, so anyone could see it. Perhaps not all of these were available globally, but it is no surprise to see BTS take home another win. I am glad that they could do this for their fans during such trying times.