BTS, Ed Sheeran win big at MTV European Music Awards

Korean pop sensation BTS and British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran were the big winners at the 2021 MTV European Music Awards. BTS won the most awards, including Best Pop, Best Group, Best K-Pop and Biggest Fans, but were not on hand to collect the awards. Sheeran, who was present, won Best Artist and Best Song for Bad Habits.

Italian rock band and 2021 winners of the Eurovision Song Contest Maneskin won Best Rock.

After the usual round of thanks during their acceptance speech, lead singer Damiano David said: “We also want to say that people usually told us that we were not going to make it with our music – well, I guess you were wrong.” Show host and performer Saweetie won Best New, Nicki Minaj won Best Hip-Hop and Olivia Rodrigo Best Push.

Colombian singer Maluma who won Best Latin, said: “Colombia is not Pablo Escobar anymore – Colombia is Maluma, baby.” Yungblud won the award for Best Alternative.

“I would like to say that this award is a tribute to individualism – this is an award for the 13-year-old boy from the north of England who was absolutely terrified to be who he was,” the musician said.

The Best Collaboration award went to Doja Cat ft. SZA for Kiss Me More, while David Guetta won Best Electronic and Billie Eilish was honoured with the Video for Good award. Among the regional local act categories, Taylor Swift won for the US and Little Mix for the UK and Ireland. Justin Bieber, who was the frontrunner with eight nominations, didn’t win any awards.

After a virtual 2020, the event was live from the Papp Laszlo Budapest Sportarena in Hungary and aired on MTV in 180 countries.

One of the highlights of Saweetie’s hosting routine was interacting with Squid Game-inspired soldiers in hot pink suits and MTV-branded masks. She also performed a medley of her hits, including Best Friend, Tap In and OUT OUT.

Kim Petras made EMAs history as the first trans artist to perform at the show. — IANS