Wizkid struck gold at this year’s MTV EMAs, earning not one but two trophies at the global music spectacular. The Nigerian star was honoured with trophies for Best African Act and Worldwide Act, topped only by Justin Bieber, who took home three trophies: Best Song, Best Fans and Best Canadian Act, and matching Lady Gaga who won trophies for Best Female and Best Look.
Worlds collided in a spectacle of music and stunning visuals on the 2016 MTV EMAs stage, featuring epic performances that took over Rotterdam and aired live around the world on 6 November.
Host Bebe Rexha kicked off the global music celebration, crashing through the ceiling to start the party, followed by superstar Bruno Mars who delivered an upbeat performance of his smash single 24K Magic, lighting up the stage with his dance moves.
Global phenomenon Green Day also returned to the EMAs stage with a vengeance, honoured with the night’s prestigious milestone award, Global Icon. After an explosive performance of Bang Bang, the group closed the show just days ahead of the US election with American Idiot.
Wizkid was one of six artists from around the globe who were named as Worldwide Act winners; his fellow honourees were Shawn Mendes (Canada), Zara Larsson (Sweden), Maluma (Columbia), GOT7 (Korea) and Troye Sivan (Australia).
2016 MTV EMA WINNERS
BEST SONG
Justin Bieber - Sorry
BEST VIDEO
The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk - Starboy
BEST FEMALE
Lady Gaga
BEST MALE
Shawn Mendes
BEST AFRICAN ACT
Wizkid
WORLDWIDE ACT
Troye Sivan - Australia
Shawn Mendes – Canada
Maluma – Columbia
GOT7 – Korea
Wizkid - Nigeria
Zara Larsson – Sweden
BEST LIVE
Twenty One Pilots
BEST NEW
Zara Larsson
BEST POP
Fifth Harmony
BEST ROCK
Coldplay
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Twenty One Pilots
BEST HIP HOP
Drake
BEST ELECTRONIC
Martin Garrix
BEST PUSH
DNCE
BIGGEST FANS
Justin Bieber
BEST LOOK
Lady Gaga
GLOBAL ICON AWARD
Green Day
BEST WORLD STAGE
Martin Garrix - Isle of MTV, Malta (2015)
Multiplatinum R&B stunner The Weeknd made his EMA stage debut with the first global performance of his smash single Starboy. The performance began in a star-filled dome, which opened to reveal the singer.
Host Bebe Rexha slayed her hosting duties while bringing the live debut of her new single I’ve Got U to the EMAs stage. Earlier in the show, she teamed with friend and the world’s no. 1 DJ Martin Garrix for a stirring duet of In The Name of Love with a full string orchestra.
Best Push winners DNCE brought the party by performing Cake by the Ocean and Body Moves on a floating platform over the audience, complete with crowd surfers on inflatable donuts, cakes and pizza.
Best Male winner Shawn Mendes wowed the crowd as he emerged from a holographic pyramid, while playing piano for a moving rendition of his hit Mercy.
Best New Act recipient Zara Larsson shook the arena with a fierce medley of her massive hits, Lush Life and Ain’t My Fault.
Lukas Graham commanded the stage with a passionate medley of their hits against a glittering backdrop of stars, culminating in a full-on orchestra for their smash ballad 7 Years.
OneRepublic wowed the audience by performing their new track Let’s Hurt Tonight as rain poured down from the stage, soaking the band while they serenaded fans.
Hometown hero and EMA Music Week Ambassador Afrojack rocked the house with his smash hits Gone and Hey.
The official international sponsor of the 2016 MTV EMAs is Évos headphones and regional sponsor is Smirnoff.
IOL adapted from press release