B Side, Music
MTV EMAs 2023 Canceled Due to Ongoing Israel-Palestine Conflict
The 2023 MTV EMAs was particularly significant, as it was set to be the first time the maiden Afrobeats category would be awarded.
- Melony Akpoghene
- ●19th October 2023
The organizers of the MTV EMAs officially declared the cancellation of the 2023 edition.This stands as the show’s first cancellation since its debut in 1994.
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The decision was made out of respect for the thousands of lives already lost in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Plus, there was a need to prioritize the safety of the numerous individuals involved, including employees, crew members, artists, fans, and partners who would have traveled from different parts of the world to make the event possible.
A statement to Sky from a Paramount spokesperson confirms, “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 of 2024.”
France, the intended host of the event, has its share of security concerns. A high school teacher’s stabbing and several bomb threats across the country’s airports put the nation on high alert, influencing decisions regarding events like the MTV EMAs.
The 2023 MTV EMAs was particularly significant, as it was set to be the first time the maiden Afrobeats category would be awarded. This brought heightened anticipation, with talented Nigerian artists, including Asake, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Davido, and Rema, competing for this award alongside the French singer, Aya Nakamura.
Although the 2023 MTV EMAs won’t take place this year as scheduled, voting is continued and the winning artists will receive their awards. We eagerly await its return in 2024 at the Paris Nord Villepinte in France with the hope for a more secure atmosphere.
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