Music News South Africa

2021 MTV EMAs: South Africa's Focalistic bags nomination

MTV has announced nominations for the 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMAs) with Amapiano star Focalistic securing a nomination in the Best African Act category.
Source: Supplied
Source: Supplied


The Ke Star hitmaker will compete for the Best African Act award against Nigerian superstars Wizkid and Tems, Ghanaian Songstress Amaarae of Sad Girlz Luv Money fame and Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz.

Globally, Justin Bieber is the frontrunner with eight nominations. Bieber’s nods include Best Artist, Best Pop as well as two Best Song nominations for his global hits Peaches featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon and Stay with The Kid Laroi.

British global superstar Ed Sheeran and EMA newcomers Olivia Rodrigo and The Kid Laroi follow closely with five nominations each, including Best Pop and Best Song for Sheeran and Rodrigo. The above artists’ nominations also include Best Local Act for each of their respective home countries.


The 2021 MTV EMAs will take place at the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna in Hungary on Sunday, 14 November and broadcast live on MTV channels in 180 countries. The awards will air locally on MTV Africa (DStv Channel 130) and MTV Base (DSTV Channel 322).

Voting is now open at mtvema.com until Wednesday, 10 November at 11:59pm Central European Time.

Here is the complete list of the 2021 MTV EMA Nominees:

Best African Act

Amaarae
Diamond Platnumz
Focalistic
Tems
Wizkid

Best Artist

Doja Cat
Ed Sheeran
Justin Bieber
Lady Gaga
Lil Nas X
The Weeknd

Best Pop

BTS
Doja Cat
Dua Lipa
Ed Sheeran
Justin Bieber
Olivia Rodrigo

Best Song

Doja Cat ft. SZA - Kiss Me More
Ed Sheeran - Bad Habits
Justin Bieber - Peaches ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License
The Kid Laroi, Justin Bieber – Stay

Best Video

Doja Cat ft. SZA - Kiss Me More
Ed Sheeran - Bad Habits
Justin Bieber - Peaches ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
Normani ft. Cardi B - Wild Side
Taylor Swift - willow

Best Collaboration

Black Eyed Peas, Shakira - Girl Like Me
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic - Leave the Door Open
Doja Cat ft. SZA - Kiss Me More
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow - Industry Baby
The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber – Stay
The Weeknd and Ariana Grande - Save Your Tears (Remix)

Best New

Giveon
Griff
Olivia Rodrigo
Rauw Alejandro
Saweetie
The Kid Laroi

Best Electronic

Calvin Harris
David Guetta
Joel Corry
Marshmello
Skrillex
Swedish House Mafia

Best Rock

Coldplay
Foo Fighters
Imagine Dragons
Kings Of Leon
Måneskin
The Killers

Best Alternative

Halsey
Lorde
Machine Gun Kelly
Twenty One Pilots
Willow
Yungblud

Best Latin

Bad Bunny
J. Balvin
Maluma
Rauw Alejandro
Rosalía
Shakira

Best Hip Hop

Cardi B
DJ Khaled
Drake
Kanye West
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj

Best K-Pop

BTS
LISA
Monsta X
NCT 127
Rose
Twice

Best Group

BTS
Imagine Dragons
Jonas Brothers
Little Mix
Måneskin
Silk Sonic

Best Push

24KGoldn
Fousheé
girl in red
Griff
JC Stewart
JXDN
Latto
Madison Beer
Olivia Rodrigo
Remi Wolf
SAINt JHN
The Kid Laroi

Biggest Fans

Ariana Grande
Blackpink
BTS
Justin Bieber
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift

Video for Good

Billie Eilish - Your Power
Demi Lovato - Dancing With The Devil
girl in red – Serotonin
H.E.R. - Fight For You
Harry Styles - Treat People With Kindness
Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me By Your Name)

Best US Act (Best Local Act)

Ariana Grande
Doja Cat
Lil Nas X
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift

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