The MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) announced the cancellation of their 2023 event on October 19, 2023, due to the ongoing conflict between the State of Israel and Palestine.
In a press release, the organizers cited concerns for the safety of employees, crew members, artists, fans, and partners who would have traveled from around the world to participate in the event.
The statement read, “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 EMAs, known for celebrating global music, recognized that the current situation in Israel and Gaza was not conducive to a global celebration, considering the devastating events and lives lost.
The organizers expressed their intention to host the MTV EMAs again in November 2024.
The 2023 EMAs were originally scheduled to take place in Paris on November 5, 2023, with the inaugural Afrobeats category.
Nigerian artists Asake, Arya Starr, Burna Boy, Davido, and Rema, as well as Malian-born French singer Aya Nakamura, were nominated for the Afrobeats award.
The EMAs are now expected to return in 2024 at the Paris Nord Villepinte in France.
