What Is 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards

Overview

The 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards celebrated the most influential artists and musical achievements of the year, bringing together international stars for a night of performances and accolades. Held in London, the event highlighted global pop culture and the rising influence of digital platforms in shaping music trends.

The show emphasized fan engagement, with winners determined primarily through online voting. This year’s event also marked a shift toward inclusivity, recognizing artists from diverse regions and genres, from Latin pop to K-pop.

• November 12, 2017 was the official date of the ceremony, broadcast live from Wembley Arena to over 180 countries.
• London served as host city, marking the first time since 2011 that the EMAs returned to the UK capital.
• Rita Ora hosted the event, becoming the first woman to host the EMAs three times, having previously hosted in 2015 and 2016.
• Ed Sheeran was the top nominee and winner, taking home four awards including Best Artist and Best Song for "Shape of You".
• Shawn Mendes won two major awards—Best Pop and Best Live Act—and delivered a standout performance of "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back".

How It Works

The MTV Europe Music Awards operate through a hybrid model of fan voting and industry input, with the majority of categories decided by public ballot via the MTV website and app.

• Public Voting: Fans could vote online for their favorite artists across 15 categories, with over 200 million votes cast globally in 2017.
• Eligibility Period: Nominated artists released music between September 2016 and September 2017, ensuring relevance to the current music cycle.
• Regional Categories: Awards like Best UK & Ireland Act and Best Latin highlighted regional talent, with winners such as Stormzy and J Balvin.
• Global Categories: Major awards such as Best Artist and Best Song were open to international contenders, emphasizing global reach.
• Host Selection:Rita Ora, a British pop star, was chosen for her charisma and previous hosting experience, enhancing the UK’s representation.
• Performance Curation: Acts were selected based on chart performance and cultural impact, including Post Malone and Camila Cabello.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 EMAs compared closely with prior years in format but introduced stronger digital engagement and broader genre representation.

The table shows a shift toward solo pop and singer-songwriter dominance, replacing the group-oriented wins of previous years. Ed Sheeran’s 2017 sweep reflected his global chart dominance, while Shawn Mendes’ rise signaled a new generation of pop artists. The decline of boy bands in favor of individual performers marked a broader trend in music consumption.

Why It Matters

The 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards were significant for reinforcing fan-driven recognition in the digital age and spotlighting diverse musical voices across regions and genres.

• Ed Sheeran’s four wins solidified his status as a global music leader following the success of his ÷ (Divide) album.
• Camila Cabello’s solo debut performance marked her breakout after leaving Fifth Harmony, drawing over 5 million social media mentions.
• Increased regional representation included awards for Best African Act and Best Central European Act, expanding the EMAs’ global footprint.
• MTV’s digital voting platform recorded a 30% increase in engagement compared to 2016, driven by mobile app usage.
• Post Malone’s performance of "Congratulations" highlighted hip-hop’s growing influence in mainstream European music culture.
• Shawn Mendes’ Best Live Act win emphasized the importance of touring and stage presence in artist popularity.

The 2017 EMAs not only celebrated musical excellence but also reflected how fan interaction and digital platforms are reshaping award shows. As music becomes more accessible worldwide, events like the EMAs continue to evolve, balancing star power with inclusivity and real-time audience input.