Wizkid bags two awards at the MTV EMAs 2016 edition

The highly sought after artist was winner of the Best African Act and Best Worldwide Act awards. Other top winners at this prestigious event were Justin Bieber, who took home three trophies, and Lady Gaga, who won trophies, same number as Wizkid’s haul.

Wizkid, who was unable to travel to Rotterdam to collect his award, thanked his fans and MTV Base in a video message.

The ‘Ojuelegba’ singer was one of six artists from around the globe who were named as Worldwide Act winners. Others are Shawn Mendes (Canada), Zara Larsson (Sweden), Maluma (Columbia), GOT7 (Korea) and Troye Sivan (Australia). In the Best African Act, the Nigerian artist competed against African artists such as South Africa’s Black Coffee, Alikiba from Tanzania and his fellow countryman Olamide.

Basking in the glory of his increasing worldwide appeal, Wizkid has, this year, made appearances at different awards. This recent triumph comes just two weeks after Wizkid won three awards at the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) 2016 in Johannesburg. Prior to the event, Wizkid topped the list with three nominations in the Best Male, Best Collaboration and Personality of the Year categories. Other artists who received multiple nominations include Cassper Nyovest, AKA and Sauti Sol.

In late October, he won the second Best African Act trophy at the MOBO Awards.

His music has earned him respect and fame on the regional and international scene, prompting collaborations with some of the world’s biggest artists such as Drake, Chris Brown and R.Kelly.  

Now in its 23rd edition, this was the third time the awards has taken place in the Netherlands, and the second time Rotterdam has been the host city. The awards were held in the same venue as the 1997 MTV EMAs. The first edition of this event ceremony was held in 1994 in Berlin, Germany.

MTV EMA is an event presented by MTV Networks Europe, which honors musicians and performers. Since 2007, the winners have been chosen by the viewers and fans via the event’s website.

The event was originally regarded as a substitute of the MTV Video Music Awards because the winners and presenters were US artists. MTV EMAs are held every year in a different country and are mostly hosted in the UK.

The 2016 MTV EMA, in partnership with Évos headphones and Smirnoff, was broadcasted live across Africa on MTV and MTV Base on Sunday 6 November.