Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage has become the first Nigerian female artist to win the MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMAs) in the Best African Act category.
The Afro-pop singer snatched the record-breaking award at the 2018 MTV EMAs held on Sunday at the Bilbao Exhibition Center, Bilbao, Spain with several music stars across the world in attendance.
The African act category, in 2005, was infused into the MTV EMA to enhance musical alliances across borders, and promote cultural integrations.
Until Tiwa’s win, three Nigerians had taken the award home including 2Baba in 2005, D’banj in 2007 and 2012; and Davido in 2017.
In 2018, Tiwa was nominated alongside fellow Nigerian act, David Adeleke, aka Davido; South Africa’s Distruction Boyz and Shekinah; Kenya’s Nyashinski and Fally Ipupa from the DRC.
Celebrating the award, Tiwa took to her Instagram page @tiwasavage to dedicate the win to African women and aspiring young girls.
She said, “Almighty God, you are so faithful. My savage soldiers did it for me.
“You have stuck with me through the roller coasters. Thank you. To my amazing team, this is just the beginning. African women, this is for us.
“I have been through a lot but I have kept my head up and weathered the storm because I know some little girl somewhere is dreaming like I did,” Tiwa said.
She signed a recording contract with Mavin Records in 2012 and currently has a songwriting deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
The mother of one also signed a management and publishing deal with Roc Nation in June 2016.
However, the biggest winner at the awards night was the Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello.
She scooped four awards, winning “Best Song,” “Best Artist,” “Best Video” and “Best U.S. Act” in a show that featured a stellar performance from Janet Jackson.
Cabello, 21, who already led the pack at the MTV Video Music Awards in August, urged her fans in the United States to vote in the 2018 midterm elections as she walked the red carpet in the northern Spanish city of Bilbao, Reuters reported.
The singer, who rose to fame as a member of the girl group “Fifth Harmony,” formed on the U.S. edition of the X-Factor, said she relished being seen as a role model.
“I feel like the message for me has always been just like do what makes you happy, even if it’s scary, it’s worth it to take the risk because your happiness is your responsibility,” Cabello said.
“That’s always been my message and I talk about it a lot but I feel like it’s a good message. And yes, very important, go vote!” she said.
Jackson, who received a “Global Icon” award, sang hits of her 40-year career over four stages and surrounded by African drummers, flame torches, firebreathers and more than 20 dancers.
The show took place at Bilbao’s exhibition centre and was hosted by Hailee Steinfeld, who performed “Back to Life,” a song that will feature on the soundtrack of her forthcoming movie Bumblebee.
One of the hits of the night was Spanish Flamenco-inspired artist Rosalia singing “Malamente” after rolling on stage in a gigantic truck.
Five-time winners of MTV Europe Music Awards, English rock band Muse also made a splash by performing “Pressure” from Bilbao’s world-famous soccer stadium San Mames.
Other notable performances included Bebe Rexha singing “I’m a Mess” while in a bathtub surrounded by nurses and 100 dancers and Halsey performing “Without Me” surrounded by rainfall.
The show was opened by Nicki Minaj with her new hit “Good Form,” followed by her collaboration with Little Mix “Woman Like Me.” Minaj also received the awards for “Best Look” and “Best Hip-Hop.”
American D.J. Marshmello, who won “Best Electronic,” closed out the night alongside Anne-Marie with their hit “FRIENDS” and alongside Bastille with “Happier.” The performance was also among the public as hundreds of Marshmello inflated balls flooded the venue for the finale.
Other winners included Dua Lipa, who took the “Best Pop,” Shawn Mendes who won “Best Live” and 5 Seconds of Summer who received “Best Rock.”
Here’s the full list of 2018 MTV EMA winners:
BEST ARTIST
Camila Cabello
BEST VIDEO
Camila Cabello – “Havana” ft. Young Thug
BEST SONG
Camila Cabello – “Havana” ft. Young Thug
BEST POP
Dua Lipa
BEST NEW
Cardi B
BEST LOOK
Nicki Minaj
BEST HIP-HOP
Nicki Minaj
BEST LIVE
Shawn Mendes
BEST ROCK
5 Seconds of Summer
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Panic! At The Disco
BEST ELECTRONIC
Marshmello
BIGGEST FANS
BTS
BEST WORLD STAGE
Alessia Cara, MTV Spotlight at Hyperplay, Singapore 2018
BEST PUSH
Grace VanderWaal (December 2017)
BEST US ACT (WORLDWIDE ACT*)
Camila Cabello
*Source: NAN
