The 2024 MTV EMAs nomination list has been released and the Nigerian music industry is well represented in some categories. The awards scheduled to hold on November 10 has put out a list of artists nominated in different categories and there are well deserving names on it as well as surprises.
Ayra Starr leads the Nigerian contingent with 4 nominations for Best New Artist, Best Afrobeats Act, Best African Act, and Best Push. For the Best New Artist, Ayra Starr will be up against South African star Tyla, in a healthy rivalry that’s now becoming the face of women in African music.
Tyla is also a favourite for the Best Afrobeats Act which she is nominated for alongside Burna Boy, Tems, Rema, Asake, and Ayra Starr.
Questions will be asked of Tyla if she does go on to win the best Afrobeats act award, as it would open a lot of conversations. Tyla made headlines after saying she represents Amapiano and doesn’t make Afrobeats after winning the Best Afrobeats prize at the 2024 VMAs. This did not go down well with Afrobeats music heads as it is evident that her sound is very much rooted in Afrobeats elements and she is riding the Afrobeats to the world train but wants to disassociate from it at the same time and claim Amapiano, while not really making Amapiano music.
Here’s a full list of the nominees.
Best Artist
Beyoncé
Billie Eilish
Post Malone
RAYE
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
Best Collaboration
Charli xcx & Billie Eilish – Guess featuring Billie Eilish
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like That
Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile
LISA ft. Rosalía – NEW WOMAN
Peso Pluma, Anitta – BELLAKEO
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Best New
Ayra Starr
Benson Boone
Chappell Roan
LE SSERAFIM
Teddy Swims
The Last Dinner Party
Tyla
Best Pop
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Charli xcx
Dua Lipa
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
Best Afrobeats
Asake
Ayra Starr
Burna Boy
Rema
Tems
Tyla
Best Rock
Bon Jovi
Coldplay
Green Day
Kings of Leon
Lenny Kravitz
Liam Gallagher
The Killers
Best Latin
Anitta
Bad Bunny
KAROL G
Peso Pluma
Rauw Alejandro
Shakira
Best K-Pop
Jimin
Jung Kook
LE SSERAFIM
LISA
NewJeans
Stray Kids
Best Alternative
Fontaines D.C.
Hozier
Imagine Dragons
Lana Del Rey
Twenty One Pilots
YUNGBLUD
Best Electronic
Calvin Harris
David Guetta
Disclosure
DJ Snake
Fred Again..
Swedish House Mafia
Best Hip-Hop
Central Cee
Eminem
Kendrick Lamar
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Travis Scott
Best R&B
Kehlani
SZA
Tinashe
Tyla
USHER
Victoria Monét
Best Live
Adele
Coldplay
Doja Cat
RAYE
Taylor Swift
Travis Scott
Best Push
Ayra Starr
Chappell Roan
Coco Jones
Flyana Boss
Jessie Murph
Laufey
LE SSERAFIM
Mark Ambor
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
The Warning
Victoria Monét
Biggest Fans
Anitta
Ariana Grande
Beyoncé
Billie Eilish
Chappell Roan
Charli xcx
Katy Perry
LISA
Nicki Minaj
Sabrina Carpenter
Shawn Mendes
Taylor Swift
Best UK & Ireland Act
TitoM & Yuppe
Central Cee
Charli xcx
Chase & Status
Dua Lipa
Hozier
RAYE
Best African Act
Asake
Ayra Starr
Tyla
DBN Gogo
Diamond Platnumz
