South Africa and K-Pop
The ceremony, which gave pride of place to female artists, opened shortly after 9 p.m. (Paris time) with the impressive performance of the 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.
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.
And the French?
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 and who therefore won the title of best French artist.
« You named me best French artist, it’s just crazy. We’ve been on an incredible adventure for a year now, and I hope this is just the beginning “, reacted the singer in a video published on MTV France’s social networks.
On November 1, Pierre Garnier had already won the prize for French-speaking Revelation of the Year and the prize for French-speaking Song of the Year for his title “Celles qu’on été” at the 2024 edition of the NRJ Music Awards.
The 2023 ceremony, which was to be held near Paris, was canceled due to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, with the organizers believing that the time was not ” not suitable for an international festive event ».
