One of the biggest global annual music events celebrating the hottest artists from around the world, the 2014 MTV EMA was punctuated with outrageous, unexpected moments, once-in-a-lifetime collaborations and rousing performances that will undoubtedly go down in history. This year’s show transformed Glasgow’s SSE Hydro into an unforgettable time-travelling extravaganza, catapulting viewers through memories of the most outlandish moments in the MTV EMA’s 20-year history. The 2014 MTV EMA broadcasted live to MTV channels worldwide from the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Monday, 10 November at 2am (TH/WIB) and 3am (SG/MY/PH)*.
The show kicked-off by transporting viewers back to 1994, where a young Nicki Minaj watched the first-ever MTV EMA from her bedroom before traveling into the future, making a grand entrance into the 2014 MTV EMA in a frilled ball gown and sequined bra . “Her Royal Minajesty” truly commandeered the evening, taking home the award for Best Hip Hop, and even giving the audience a show-stopping, jaw-dropping blend of her biggest hits including ‘Super Bass’, ‘Anaconda’ and a global debut performance of her new track ‘Bed of Lies’, which featured a surprise appearance by Skylar Grey. The host also made it rain, telling the Glasgow crowd, “it’s my round!” before showering them with enough “Minaj money” for 1,000 free drinks.
[pullquote]The World’s Hottest Pop, Rock And Hip Hop Superstars Take Over Glasgow For The 20Th Anniversary MTV EMA. Hip Hop Queen Nicki Minaj Reigns Supreme As Host; One Direction Takes Home Three Mtv Emas, Ariana Grande, Katy Perry And 5 Seconds Of Summer Win Two Awards Each.[/pullquote]
One of the greatest rock bands of all time, U2 took to the MTV EMA stage for a fourth time with a poignant, understated rendition of ‘Every Breaking Wave’, accompanied by a strings section. Alicia Keys serenaded the crowd from the nearby viewing party at the O2 Academy Glasgow, with an inspired performance of her Best Song with a Message-nominated track ‘We Are Here’ being beamed into the SSE Hydro and to MTV EMA viewers the world over. Best Song and Best Female winner Ariana Grande flew over the audience in a perspex bubble chair, treating fans to a Barbarella-esque medley of her smash hits ‘Problem’ and ‘Break Free’, and Ed Sheeran brought his chart-topping track ‘Thinking Out Loud’ to life, lighting up the stage with an elaborate music box.
Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne made his triumphant return to MTV to accept this year’s Global Icon Award. In a surprise closing performance, Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil joined guitar legend Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators to pay tribute to Ozzy with an epic rendition of his classic hit ‘Crazy Train’.
Electro-pop songstress Kiesza teleported from Glasgow’s Royal Exchange Square into the arena via a classic red phone booth to perform her track ‘Hideaway’ surrounded by popping dancers. British songstress Charli XCX set the arena ablaze with a glam-rock / punk rendition of her hits ‘Boom Clap’ and ‘Break The Rules’, and UK rock duo Royal Blood rocked the house, playing ‘Figure It Out’ in front of a two-storey wall of screaming fans in the middle of the auditorium. Best World Stage winner Enrique Iglesias called on the crowd to be part of his medley of ‘Freak’ and ‘Bailando’, with thousands of fans donning xylobands to light up the floor of the SSE Hydro.
True to form, madness prevailed. Katy Perry revealed an unusual obsession with Minaj’s “pillows”, and the show further honoured the host’s rear with a “butt putt” mini-golf green in the middle of the arena. Redfoo took to the stage dressed in a kilt to present the award for Best Pop to One Direction, having earlier revealed he was going commando on the MTV EMA red carpet, which was chosen by fans via social media with the hashtag #UnderFoosKiltEMA. In another nod to the heritage of the 2014 host city, David Hasselhoff dressed up in blue face paint to become “BraveHoff”.
Before closing out the evening, Queen Nicki announced that the 2015 MTV EMA will take place in Milan, Italy at the Mediolanum Forum on Sunday, 25 October 2015. Italy and the city of Milan will serve as the official location for Expo 2015, the Universal Exhibition, and the MTV EMA will close out a year of international events taking place in Milan.
2014 MTV EMA Winners:
· Best Song Ariana Grande Problem ft Iggy Azalea
· Best Pop One Direction
· Best Female Ariana Grande
· Best Male Justin Bieber
· Best Live One Direction
· Best New 5 Seconds of Summer
· Best Video Katy Perry Dark Horse ft Juicy J
· Best Rock Linkin Park
· Best Alternative Thirty Seconds To Mars
· Best Hip Hop Nicki Minaj
· Best Electronic Calvin Harris
· Biggest Fans One Direction
· Best Look Katy Perry
· Best PUSH 5 Seconds of Summer
· Best World Stage Enrique Iglesias MTV World Stage Isle of MTV Malta
· Worldwide Act Bibi Zhou
· Global Icon Ozzy Osbourne
The 2014 MTV EMA sponsored by essence, Europe’s No.1 cosmetics brand** and Someone Like Me, a global sex education campaign partnership between Durex and MTV Staying Alive Foundation, will air across MTV’s global network of more than 60 channels reaching more than half a billion households around the world as well as through syndication. In addition, its convergent programming and content will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV’s more than 200 digital media properties around the world. The 2014 MTV EMA broadcasted live to MTV channels worldwide from the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Monday, 10 November at 2am (TH/WIB) and 3am (SG/MY/PH)*.
The MTV EMA – one of the biggest global music events of the year – recognizes artists from around the world and across genres, and brings together music fans everywhere for a one-of-a-kind experience in the weeks leading up to and at the show. Bruce Gillmer and Richard Godfrey are Executive Producers for the 2014 MTV EMA. The 2014 MTV EMA marks the first time that the show will be held in Glasgow, Scotland and has received support from Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and EventScotland. Follow @MTVEMA and check #MTVEMA on Twitter and find us on Instagram or Facebook.