Taylor Swift triumphs, winning four awards

Taylor Swift, American pop star, triumphed on Sunday, November 10, at the MTV European Music Awards, where she won four awards. The ceremony, which celebrates the big names in world music, was held 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 clip Fortnight with artist Post Malone. She was also awarded in the “best American artist” category.

In a pre-recorded message, the interpreter of Shake it off expressed his “sadness” for not being able to be present. “The fact that you won the tour, the album and the video [du clip Fortnight], It’s just incredible”she said, saluting her compatriot Post Malone. Leading the nominations – seven in total –, however, she lost to Ariana Grande in the “pop artist of the year” category.

These awards are in addition to those won throughout 2024, including a fourth Grammy in February, for album of the year, a record in the history of this award. Not to mention his gigantic “Eras” tour, the most lucrative in music history. A record year for the thirty-year-old, who was crowned the title of personality of the year by the magazine Time.

The ceremony, which gave pride of place to female artists, opened shortly after 8 p.m. (9 p.m. in France) 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 Tyla and Thai Lisa in the spotlight

South African singer Tyla, for her part, won three awards, including that of best R&B artist. The other surprise: Lisa, a Thai K-pop artist, a true global musical phenomenon. It won in two general categories including that of best collaboration, for its 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, fifteen 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 DjadjaAya 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 attacks in Israel and the war in Gaza. The organizers then felt that the moment was not “not suitable for an international festive event”.