Friday, 29 March

MTV EMAs: BTS, Lady Gaga and Little Mix dominate distanced awards

Entertainment
BTS

BTS were the big winners at the 2020 MTV EMAs, taking home four prizes, including best song and best group.

The Korean boyband also won the "biggest fans" category for the third time, overtaking One Direction and Justin Bieber, who have each won twice.

Lady Gaga was named artist of the year, just as she did at the US equivalent of the MTV-branded show in September.

The virtual ceremony was hosted by Little Mix, minus Jesy Nelson, who had to pull out after falling ill.

The 29-year-old was also forced to miss the grand final of the BBC One talent show Little Mix: The Search on Saturday night.

Her bandmates performed new single, Sweet Melody, as a trio; and later picked up the best pop prize.

"We just wish our girl Jesy was here to receive this with us," said Leigh-Anne Pinnock. "She'd be so happy."

Singer Jade Thirlwall also poked fun at social distancing regulations, wearing a belt studded with spikes that enforced a two-metre perimetre around her at all times.

"I may borrow that when I go to the supermarket," quipped her bandmate, Perrie Edwards.

They weren't the only ones to take extra precautions: Alicia Keys performed Love Looks Better with her face completely covered by a gem-encrusted mesh mask.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis across, this year's EMAs featured filmed performances from various locations around Europe - enabling musicians to stage more spectacular performances than they'd have managed in the usual arena setting.

British punk-pop star Yungblud strapped on angel wings and flew around London's historic Roundhouse venue, while singing his hits Cotton Candy and Strawberry Lipstick.

David Guetta and Raye played on a specially-constructed stage at Budapest's Széchenyi Bath - bathed in a waterfall of lights.

Their performance marked the fact that the ceremony was originally supposed to be held in Hungary before Covid-19 struck.

Sam Smith played their new song Diamonds in an empty theatre, against a dramatic backdrop of red light and lightning strikes.

The singer, who revealed they were non-binary last year, ended their performance with a stark message about LGBT rights.

US rap star DaBaby used his performance to deliver a message about police brutality and racial justice.

As he started singing the number one hit Rockstar, the rapper was seen being arrested and slammed into the hood of a police car.

Transitioning to the song Blind, he appeared in court defending himself and wrapped up the performance giving a victorious press conference on the steps of the courtroom.

Lewis Hamilton presented the "video for good" award to H.E.R. for I Can't Breathe - which compiled footage of protests against police brutality and systemic racism from around the world, culminating with a register of the names of people who have been killed, including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

"In what's been an extremely challenging year, it's great to see that music is still a unifying force," said the Formula 1 driver, "whether it's offering hope, solidary and comfort - or powerfully standing up for what's right."

The show also included tributes to stars like Chadwick Boseman, Juice WRLD, Popsmoke and Glee actress Naya Rivera, and a montage dedicated to rock legend Eddie Van Halen - "a musician who helped build MTV in its early days".

DJ Khaled was awarded best video for Popstar, his hit with Drake and Justin Bieber; while Cardi B was named best hip hop, Coldplay won best rock, and Hayley Williams snagged the award for best alternative.

Receiving the best song award for their pop smash Dynamite, BTS thanked their fans, saying: "This means so much for us, because we really wanted to enjoy this song with our fans at this difficult time."

"We've been working hard to be a group that can touch hearts and people and give them hope through music," added RM.

The full list of winners is below.

Best Video

DJ Khaled feat. Drake – Popstar – Winner

Billie Eilish - everything i wanted

Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion - WAP

Karol G feat. Nicki Minaj - Tusa

Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande - Rain On Me

Taylor Swift - The Man

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

 

Best Artist

Lady Gaga - Winner

Dua Lipa

Harry Styles

Justin Bieber

Miley Cyrus

The Weeknd

 

Best Song

BTS – Dynamite – Winner

DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch - Rockstar

Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now

Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande - Rain On Me

Roddy Ricch - The Box

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

 

Best Collaboration

Karol G feat. Nicki Minaj – Tusa – Winner

BLACKPINK, Selena Gomez - Ice Cream

Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion - WAP

DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch - Rockstar

Justin Bieber feat. Quavo - Intentions

Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande - Rain On Me

Sam Smith, Demi Lovato - I'm Ready

 

Best Pop

Little Mix – Winner

BTS

Dua Lipa

Harry Styles

Justin Bieber

Katy Perry

Lady Gaga

 

Best Group

BTS – Winner

5 Seconds of Summer

Blackpink

Chloe x Halle

CNCO

Little Mix

 

Best New artist

Doja Cat – Winner

BENEE

DaBaby

Jack Harlow

Roddy Ricch

Yungblud

 

Biggest Fans

BTS – Winner

Ariana Grande

Blackpink

Justin Bieber

Lady Gaga

Taylor Swift

 

Best Latin

Karol G – Winner

Anuel AA

Bad Bunny

J Balvin

Maluma

Ozuna

 

Best Rock

Coldplay – Winner

Green Day

Liam Gallagher

Pearl Jam

Tame Impala

The Killers

 

Best Hip Hop

Cardi B – Winner

DaBaby

Drake

Eminem

Megan Thee Stallion

Roddy Ricch

Travis Scott

 

Best Electronic

David Guetta – Winner

Calvin Harris

Kygo

Marshmello

Martin Garrix

The Chainsmokers

 

Best Alternative

Hayley Williams – Winner

blackbear

FKA twigs

Machine Gun Kelly

The 1975

twenty one pilots

 

Video for Good

H.E.R. - I Can't Breathe – Winner

Anderson .Paak - Lockdown

David Guetta & Sia - Let's Love

Demi Lovato - I Love Me

Jorja Smith - By Any Means

Lil Baby - The Bigger Picture

 

Best Push

Yungblud – Winner

AJ Mitchell

Ashnikko

BENEE

Brockhampton

Conan Gray

Doja Cat

Georgia

Jack Harlow

Lil Tecca

Tate McRae

Wallows

 

Best Virtual Live

BTS Bang Bang Con - The Live – Winner

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

 

Source: BBC