Eminem, U2 Deliver Dramatic Performances At 2017 MTV EMAs
Eminem, U2 and The Killers all put in dramatic performances at the 2017 MTV European Music Awards. Eminem opened the EMAs ceremony at London’s Wembley Arena with a performance of ‘Walk On Water,’ his new single featuring Beyoncé on Sunday night, 12 November. Over the piano-laden backing, Eminem, clad in a fitted black hoodie, ruminates about his fans’ lofty expectations.
“It’s the curse of the standard/That the first of the Mathers discs set/Always in search of the verse that I haven’t spit yet/Will this step just be another misstep,” he raps in front of a snowy mountainous background. Despite performing the song minus Beyoncé, Skylar Grey filled her shoes admirably, as she sang the hook and played the piano.
Moments later, the seasoned Detroit MC won the EMAs award for Best Hip Hop Artist, which was presented by Prophets Of Rage artists Chuck D, Tom Morello and B-Real. The honour appeared to even surprise the recipient.
During his subsequent acceptance speech, Eminem mentioned he didn’t understand how he could nab the award without releasing an album since 2013’s The Marshall Mathers LP 2, but assured the audience that one was “coming.” He also acknowledged the Hip Hop royalty standing behind him, referring to the Public Enemy frontman and Cypress Hill MC as “gods.”
“First off, I want to start off … I’m not really sure how I got this because I haven’t had an album out in a few years,” he says. “I got one comin’ though. But yo, just before I forget, I wanna thank the fans and I wanna thank MTV. I also wanna thank Chuck D and B-Real for so much inspiration and they’re one of the reasons I’m even able to be here right now. These guys are like gods to me, man.”
Eminem’s ninth studio album, Revival, is expected to be officially announced shortly.
Elsewhere, U2 accepted the Global Icon award at the 2017 MTV EMAs and as part of the festivities, delivered a special performance of a new song from their forthcoming album, Songs of Experience.
Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. tore through the dramatic “Get Out Of Your Own Way” before a crowd of diehards that packed London’s Trafalgar Square on the Saturday night. The performance was added to today’s EMAs broadcast, giving fans a glimpse of the outdoor show the previous evening.
The full set also included key hits from U2’s back catalogue such as ‘One,’ ‘Pride (In The Name Of Love),” and ‘Beautiful Day.’ Additionally, they performed ‘You’re the Best Thing About Me’, the recent single from their new album, Songs Of Experience which is due out on 1 December.
The Killers also turned in a memorable performance. The band’s new single ‘The Man’ came to life, with frontman Brandon Flowers sounding on-point and confident, backed by a trio of female vocalists to add to the song’s flashy choruses. The disco-influenced track comes from the Killers’ 2017 album Wonderful Wonderful, released back on 22 September on on Island Records.
The winners of the individual 2017 EMAs are as follows:
Global Icon: U2
Best Hip-Hop: Eminem
Best Song: Shawn Mendes – ‘There’s Nothin’ Holdin’ Me Back’
Best Artist: Shawn Mendes
Best New: Dua Lipa
Best Pop: Camila Cabello
Best Video: Kendrick Lamar – ‘Humble’
Best Live: Ed Sheeran
Best Electronic: David Guetta
Best Look: Zayn
Best Alternative: Thirty Seconds To Mars
Best Rock: Coldplay
Best Push: Hailee Steinfeld
Best World Stage: The Chainsmokers – Live From Isle Of MTV Malta 2017
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