Entertainment
Tyla Beats Out Top Nigerian Stars, Makes History With Three MTV EMA Victories
South African artist Tyla captivated the audience at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs), held in Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, by winning a record-breaking three awards in a single night.
Tyla, who has been a rising sensation on the global music scene, took home the Best Afrobeats, Best R&B, and Best African Act awards, becoming the first African artist to achieve such a milestone at the EMAs.
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Her wins were especially notable given the strong competition from renowned African and international artists, including Asake, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Rema, and Tems.
The prestigious MTV EMAs, now in their 30th year, returned to the United Kingdom for a grand celebration of music, featuring nominations from top global icons.
Tyla’s achievements underscore her growing influence as an international artist and mark a significant moment for African representation in global music.
Reacting to her groundbreaking victory, Tyla thanked her fanbase, affectionately called the “Tygers,” saying, “Thank you Tygers once again! Y’all are insane!” Her win comes on the heels of a landmark year, which also saw her being crowned Best New Artist at the BET Awards in July.
Her breakout hit, “Water,” continues to resonate worldwide, further propelling her career and establishing her as a force in Afrobeats and global pop music.
Though Tyla was notably absent from the recently announced 2025 Grammy nominations, her unprecedented success at the MTV EMAs confirms her role as one of Africa’s most promising talents and an emblem of the continent’s burgeoning music influence.
Here’s the full list of winners from the 2024 MTV EMAs:
BEST SONG
WINNER: Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”
Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things”
Beyoncé – “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM”
Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
Chappell Roan – “Good Luck, Babe!”
BEST VIDEO
WINNER: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”
Charli XCX – “360”
Eminem – “Houdini”
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
LISA ft. Rosalía – “NEW WOMAN”
BEST ARTIST
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Beyoncé
Billie Eilish
Post Malone
RAYE
Sabrina Carpenter
BEST COLLABORATION
WINNER: LISA ft. Rosalía – “NEW WOMAN”
Charli XCX & Billie Eilish – “Guess” featuring Billie Eilish
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – “Like That”
Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”
Peso Pluma, Anitta – “BELLAKEO”
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
BEST NEW
WINNER: Benson Boone
Ayra Starr
Chappell Roan
LE SSERAFIM
Teddy Swims
The Last Dinner Party
Tyla
BEST POP
WINNER: Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Charli XCX
Dua Lipa
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
BEST AFROBEATS
WINNER: Tyla
Asake
Ayra Starr
Burna Boy
Rema
Tems
BEST ROCK
WINNER: Liam Gallagher
Bon Jovi
Coldplay
Green Day
Kings of Leon
Lenny Kravitz
The Killers
BEST LATIN
WINNER: Peso Pluma
Anitta
Bad Bunny
KAROL G
Rauw Alejandro
Shakira
BEST K-POP
WINNER: Jimin
Jung Kook
LE SSERAFIM
LISA
NewJeans
Stray Kids
BEST ALTERNATIVE
WINNER: Imagine Dragons
Fontaines D.C.
Hozier
Lana Del Rey
Twenty One Pilots
YUNGBLUD
BEST ELECTRONIC
WINNER: Calvin Harris
David Guetta
Disclosure
DJ Snake
Fred Again..
Swedish House Mafia
BEST HIP-HOP
WINNER: Eminem
Central Cee
Kendrick Lamar
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Travis Scott
BEST R&B
WINNER: Tyla
Kehlani
SZA
Tinashe
Usher
Victoria Monét
BEST LIVE
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Adele
Coldplay
Doja Cat
RAYE
Travis Scott
BEST PUSH
WINNER: LE SSERAFIM
Ayra Starr
Chappell Roan
Coco Jones
Flyana Boss
Jessie Murph
Laufey
Mark Ambor
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
The Warning
Victoria Monét
BIGGEST FANS
WINNER: LISA
Anitta
Ariana Grande
Beyoncé
Billie Eilish
Chappell Roan
Charli XCX
Katy Perry
Nicki Minaj
Sabrina Carpenter
Shawn Mendes
Taylor Swift
MTV EMA 2024 BEST REGIONAL ACT NOMINEES:
BEST AFRICAN ACT
WINNER: Tyla
Asake
Ayra Starr
DBN Gogo
Diamond Platnumz
TitoM & Yuppe
BEST ASIA ACT
BINI
ILLIT
Mahalini
MASDO
Sakurazaka46
BEST AUSTRALIAN ACT
Confidence Man
CYRIL
Kylie Minogue
Sia
The Kid LAROI
Troye Sivan
BEST AUSTRIAN ACT
Bilderbuch
Christina Stürmer
Esther Graf
Money Boy
RAF Camora
Wanda
BEST BRAZILIAN ACT
Jão
Luisa Sonza
Matuê
Pabllo Vittar
Pedro Sampaio
BEST CANADIAN ACT
AR Paisley
Kaytranada
Nelly Furtado
Shawn Mendes
Tate McRae
BEST CARIBBEAN ACT
Eladio Carrión
Luar La L
Myke Towers
YovngChimi
Young Miko
BEST DUTCH ACT
Claude
Jonna Fraser
Mr. Belt & Wezol
Roxy Dekker
Son Mieux
BEST FRENCH ACT
Aya Nakamura
Dadju & Tayc
GIMS
Pierre Garnier
Slimane
Vitaa
BEST GERMAN ACT
AYLIVA
K.I.Z
Luciano
Pashanim
Shirin David
BEST INDIA ACT
Armaan Malik
Chirag Todi
Dee MC & EPR
Hanumankind
Kamakshi Khanna
Mali
BEST ITALIAN ACT
Angelina Mango
Annalisa
Ghali
Mahmood
The Kolors
BEST ISRAELI ACT
Agam Buhbut
Anna Zak
Noa Kirel
Shahar Saul
Shahar Tavoch
BEST LAT AM CENTRAL ACT
Beele
Blessd
Kapo
Manuel Turizo
Sofia Castro
BEST LAT AM NORTH ACT
Danna
El Malilla
Gabito Ballesteros
Natanael Cano
YeriMua
BEST LAT AM SOUTH ACT
Dillom
Emilia
Luck Ra
Maria Becerra
Trueno
BEST NORDIC ACT
Alesso
girl in red
Laufey
Swedish House Mafia
Zara Larsson
BEST POLISH ACT
Daria Zawiałow
Kacperczyk
Kwiat Jabłoni
Pro8l3m
Zalewski
BEST PORTUGUESE ACT
Bárbara Bandeira
Bárbara Tinoco
Dillaz
Ivandro
Slow J
BEST SPANISH ACT
Ana Mena
Belén Aguilera
Dani Fernández
Lola Indigo
Mikel Izal
BEST SWISS ACT
Benjamin Amaru
Faber
Nemo
Priya Ragu
Stress
BEST UK & IRELAND ACT
WINNER: RAYE
Central Cee
Charli XCX
Chase & Status
Dua Lipa
Hozier
BEST US ACT
Ariana Grande
Beyoncé
Kendrick Lamar
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
Entertainment
Speed Darlington Released From Kuje Prison After Court Order
Controversial Nigerian singer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington or Akpi, has been released from Kuje Prison following a court directive.
Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju disclosed this development on Tuesday, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “Speed Darlington is out of Kuje Prison.”
The singer’s release came after an Abuja court granted him bail. This decision followed intense public pressure on the Nigeria Police Force, which led to his arraignment.
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Prior to his release, Speed Darlington had petitioned Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau, DIG Dasuki Galadanchi, over his prolonged detention. He called on the DIG to comply with a court order directing his release or formal arraignment.
Justice M.S. Liman had earlier issued an order on December 23, 2024, mandating the police to charge the singer within 48 hours or release him unconditionally.
Speed Darlington’s arrest stemmed from allegations he made against Grammy Award-winning singer Burna Boy. The singer accused Burna Boy of being involved in an immoral relationship with embattled U.S. rapper and music executive Sean Combs, also known as P. Diddy.
The situation has sparked widespread discussions, with many Nigerians expressing relief at Speed Darlington’s freedom while others continue to debate the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
Entertainment
Dele Odule Reflects On His Saddest Life Moment: Losing His First Child
Veteran Nollywood actor, Dele Odule, has opened up about the most heartbreaking moment of his life, revealing it was when he lost his first child.
The 63-year-old Yoruba movie icon shared the emotional experience during an interview with his colleague, Kunle Afod, recounting how the loss deeply affected him, especially given the challenges surrounding the child’s birth.
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Odule described the tragic news as “very hard” to bear, adding that he has since come to accept it as the will of God. Despite the acceptance, the actor expressed his fervent hope never to endure such a devastating tragedy again.
He said, “The saddest moment of my life was when I was called that my first child died. It was very hard on me. It was hard because of the situation faced during the child’s birth, but no one can question God’s authority. It was so bad that I don’t pray for it anymore.”
Known for his roles in classic Yoruba films, Odule continues to share both his professional and personal experiences, endearing himself to fans and colleagues alike.
Entertainment
What Burna Boy Told Me After Giving Me $30,000 — Cubana Chief Priest’s Cousin
In early January 2025, Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy fulfilled a promise by gifting $30,000 to Bethel Okechukwu, a phone repairer from Alaba Market who had claimed to be related to socialite Cubana Chief Priest.
This act of generosity occurred amid an ongoing feud between Burna Boy and the Cubana Chief Priest.
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Following the donation, Cubana Chief Priest clarified that Bethel Okechukwu is not his brother, stating, “I have only one biological big brother & two kid sisters. They ain’t doing so bad.” He emphasized that he is not obligated to support his siblings financially and urged the public to verify such claims.
As of now, there are no credible reports indicating that Burna Boy instructed Bethel Okechukwu to take any specific actions towards Cubana Chief Priest after receiving the $30,000. The narrative appears to be centered around Burna Boy’s charitable gesture and Cubana Chief Priest’s subsequent clarification regarding his familial relationships.
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