This is Why Wizkid lost African award - MTV

Organisers of the MTV EMAs have blamed human error for  awarding Nigeria’s Wizkid  the ‘Best African Act’ award last month. The award has now been given to  Tanzania’s Ali Kiba, meaning Wizkid now retains only the “Best Worldwide Act” award The stripping of Wizkid of the African award provoked  a social media outcry, but  MTV explained: 

‘Both Wizkid and Alikiba are great artistes and deserving winners at the MTV EMAs and we congratulate them wholeheartedly on their achievements.  We apologise for any confusion but we are pleased to recognise the achievements of both these artists on this global platform.’  

‘Worldwide Act’ winners, including Wizkid, were selected by an international committee of MTV music executives to recognise current artists who are rising to have a wider geographic appeal beyond their local regions. The winners were chosen based on a range of criteria including international MTV video play, radio airplay, streams, and sales across multiple territories and regions. The winner of the ‘Best African Act’ award was selected by fans via votes on MTVEMA.com. 

Ali Kiba has also commented on winning the award saying, 

‘Thanks to MTV for this huge honour – it’s very exciting to be recognized at the MTV EMAs and I am delighted to bring home the award to my fans in Tanzania and East Africa.  Thank you to my family and management.’

REVISED 2016 MTV EMA FULL LIST OF WINNERS

 BEST SONG

 Justin Bieber – Sorry 

BEST VIDEO  

The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk – Starboy 

BEST FEMALE

 Lady Gaga 

BEST MALE 

Shawn Mendes       

  

BEST AFRICAN ACT

 Ali Kiba 

WORLDWIDE ACT

 Wizkid – Nigeria 

BEST LIVE      

  Twenty One Pilots 

BEST NEW 

Zara Larsson 

BEST POP

 Fifth Harmony 

BEST ROCK

 Coldplay 

BEST ALTERNATIVE 

Twenty One Pilots 

BEST HIP HOP 

Drake 

BEST ELECTRONIC

 Martin Garrix 

BEST PUSH DNCE BIGGEST FANS

 Justin Bieber 

BEST LOOK 

Lady Gaga 

GLOBAL ICON AWARD 

Green Day 

BEST WORLD STAGE 

Martin Garrix – Isle of MTV, Malta