by Thinus Ferreira
Paramount Global has abruptly cancelled the upcoming 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) that was set for 5 November in Paris, over the growing violence in the Middle East between Israel and the terrorist Hamas in Gaza, noting that "This does not feel like a moment for a global celebration".
The 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards was supposed to take place on 5 November at the Paris Nord Villepinte and would have been seen in more than 150 countries including on Paramount Global Africa's MTV (DStv 130) and MTV Base (DStv 322) TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv.
The 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards just announced its line-up earlier this week on Tuesday, highlighting performances by BTS' Jung Kook, Coi Leray, David Guetta, Manuel Turizo, Ozuna, Sabrina Carpenter, PinkPantheress Rema, Renee Rapp, The Kid Laroi, Thirty Seconds to Mars and others.
Taylor Swift had the most nominations with seven, followed by Olivia Rodrigo and SZA with six nominations each.
Asake, Burna Boy, Arya Starr, Davido and Rema were the nominees for the brand-new Best Afrobeats category, with Monde Twala, senior vice president and general manager for Paramount Africa and lead for BET International who said that 2023 marked a "historic moment for the MTV EMAs" with the introduction of the Best Afrobeats category.
In a statement late on Thursday afternoon, Paramount Global says "Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward with the 2023 MTV EMAs out of an abundance of caution for the thousands of employees, crew members, artists, fans, and partners who travel from all corners of the world to bring the show to life".
"The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music. As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration. With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning."
"We look forward to hosting the MTV EMAs again in November 2024."
The MTV EMAs has taken place annually since 1994.