VMAs 2024: Burna Boy, Ayra Starr Lose Out as Taylor Swift Wins Big
The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), held in New York on Wednesday night, saw several standout performances and notable wins, but it was Taylor Swift who emerged as the night’s biggest winner. Hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, the event opened with an energetic performance by Eminem, who was joined by Jelly Roll.
Despite high expectations, Nigerian artists Burna Boy and Ayra Starr missed out on winning in their categories. Both were nominated for the Best Afrobeats award, with Burna Boy competing for his song “City Boys” and Ayra Starr for her collaboration with Giveon, “Last Heartbreak Song.” The award ultimately went to Tyla for her hit “Water.”
Taylor Swift took home the coveted Video of the Year award for her song “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone, and was also named Artist of the Year. Her collaboration with Post Malone also won Best Collaboration, and she secured the Best Pop award, making her the most awarded artist of the night.
Other winners included Eminem, who won Best Hip-Hop for “Houdini,” and Sabrina Carpenter, who took home Song of the Year for “Espresso.” Chappell Roan won Best New Artist, while Anitta claimed Best Latin for “Mil Veces.”
The VMAs featured performances from a diverse array of artists, including Camila Cabello, Chappell Roan, GloRilla, Rauw Alejandro, Lenny Kravitz, and Sabrina Carpenter, adding to the excitement of the night.
While Burna Boy and Ayra Starr did not secure wins, their nominations marked another milestone for Afrobeats’ growing influence on the global music stage, showcasing the genre’s continued prominence in international music awards.
The full list of winners reflects a night of celebration and recognition for some of the most influential names in the music industry.
