With Paul McCartney honoured for a lifetime achievement, it was all quite fitting as the home of where music as many know it, began! We’re talking The Beatles of course! But the British music wasn’t as evident as I expected, or the European music more to the point... Besides one category of best European artist, all the categories leaned heavily towards the American style. Even the production itself was largely dominated by Americans! I guess for an American brand, MTV is merely targeting its main audience!
The host of the evening, one ‘I kissed a girl’ all-American Katy Perry, was like a little kids kit of fun on the stage. Between her incredulous costume changes and funky set props, she was uber seductive and coy in a lollipop and short skirt kitch kinda way.
Yet, instead of annoying me with her cheezie squeezie lines, I found myself to be looking fwd to the next little in-between act – her very own cute and cuddly Katy show!
Then there was another all-American boy - Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars - up on the red couch, interviewing all the winning artists, and while I adore the music of the band (and those epic eye candy videos for which they were recognised with Best video for Beautiful Lie) – I somehow found Jared to be weak and wimpy, and in parts annoying.
Hmmm. Well, awards galore was the theme of the evening – along with many of the 2008 hot tracks and acts being performed live on stage in Liverpool, we were treated to The Killers new track ‘Human’, Pink's ‘So What’ (awarded for most addictive track of the year) – including a pillow fight, finishing with a stage full of white feathers… and even Take That, who bless them, had performed at the first ever MTV Europe Music Awards 15 years ago!
And talking of first ones – while the Europe one was not very pan-European in reflection, one wonders if the first MTV Africa Music Awards in a couple of weeks – or the MAMAs – will hold out on true African influence – or end up satisfying a more American market?
I guess I could start to answer my own question on that one… as it is not then too surprising that Seether, one of SA’s best rock exports based now in LA, are up for a few nominations. Indeed these boys are no less patriotic or proud of their home land – and like most of us South Africans in the UK – Seether merely took the opportunity to move abroad to enhance their opportunities in a global market! And deserving of being recognised they indeed are! (Watch this space too as Seether will be in the UK early next year!)
Also up from SA are our amazing Goldfish boys, the ever-fabulous Parlotones, Freshlyground (who seem to never miss a single award nomination) and the ‘we-like-them-a-lot’ Cassette crew! On top of all the SA nominations, there are mostly Nigerian nominations – and in a wider context, many hip hop artists up for the awards on 22 Noember!
The hip hop link makes me think America immediately… and from SA there are a few key SA artists I need to explore, mostly of the hip hop Kwaito style I believe. So expect to hear more about HHP, DJ Cleo and Jozi soon!
And on closing, it was with much interest that the ‘Artist choice of the year award’ at the MTV Europe awards – went to one Lil Wayne… a US rapper, most famous in my mind (since I don’t listen much to the hip hop scene)… for the fact that he decided to sample a little piece of a track from South Africa’s beloved Karma Swanepoel (ex-Henry Ate), now well established in the States, living in LA and an up-and-coming force to reckon with on the singer songwriter scene.
Somehow I don’t think Lil Wayne knew quite what he was messing with when he nicked her chorus and twisted it into a sample! I assume the lawsuit still continues. But for Lil Wayne winning the artists choice award, and seeing him speaking as he thanked everyone and received his award, well – he looked like just a darn lovely little lad!
And so – my thinking is that Lil Wayne should get Karma involved in his fast-track to fame and share the love as freely as he felt to share the sampling!
Rock on for receiving recognition, yeah!
X
PS. And a quick mention to Miriam Makeba who is all over the news as Mama Africa, the voice of Africa who inspired many, a woman who died on Sunday at the age of 76 whilst performing in Italy!
Seems the most fitting opportunity then to acknowledge her lifetime contribution of music of the continent, at the upcoming MAMAs. Its headline stuff already! "Mama Africa celebrated with a lifetime achievement award at the MAMAs!" Rest in peace Mama Africa!
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