Tyla

South African star Tyla, celebrated for her viral hit Water, took home both the Best R&B and Best Afrobeats awards at the MTV EMAs.

These wins marked a major step in her rise, following her recognition as one of the BBC's Sounds of 2024. Tyla also made sure to pay tribute to her inspirations.

On the red carpet, she stunned in a vintage Roberto Cavalli dress featuring a turquoise zebra print. This exact dress was previously worn by US rapper Eve at the 2000 Soul Train Awards.

R&B legend Aaliyah also donned a canary yellow version at the 2000 MTV Awards, where she won Best Female Video for Try Again.

That ceremony took place less than a year before Aaliyah’s tragic passing, and Tyla, now at 22, is the same age Aaliyah was at that time.

Meanwhile, the event organizers paid homage to the city, framing the stage with the black-and-yellow stripes of Factory Records and playing New Order’s Blue Monday each time nominees were announced.

But the night’s focus extended worldwide, spotlighting artists from Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and the U.S.

Taylor Swift predictably won in two of the biggest categories, Best Artist and Video of the Year. She appeared via video, opting instead to watch her boyfriend, American football player Travis Kelce, lead the Kansas City Chiefs to victory against the Denver Broncos.

The decision to honour rap legend Busta Rhymes with a Global Icon Award wasn’t as random as it seemed. Before mastering his signature rapid-fire delivery, an 11-year-old Rhymes spent two summers in Morecambe with his Aunt Velma.

"I went to karate school, and we illegally went into nightclubs to make a little money break-dancing," he shared. "I remember Boy George was cool, Wham was cool," he continued.

"But our favorite was Benny Hill. Benny Hill is still our favorite to this day. I don’t think anybody has ever been as funny or as charismatic as Benny Hill."

Reflecting on those youthful days in Morecambe, he pondered, "You can never foresee something like that. When we first got involved with hip-hop, we didn’t do it for any of the accolades. We just did it because we loved it." He concluded with, "But with that being said, tonight is a dream come true."

In honor of the award, Rhymes delivered a nine-minute acceptance speech, expressing gratitude to everyone from his mother to an art teacher he’d met backstage.

"I’ve never got an award from MTV before. Thirty-four years of professionally recording, and this is the first time I’m getting an award from MTV. It feels incredible."

Source: By BBC.