What Is 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards

Overview

The 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards celebrated the year's most influential artists, performances, and trends in global music. Held on November 4, 2018, the event marked its 25th anniversary edition and returned to Spain for the first time since 2007.

Located in Bilbao at the Bizkaia Arena, the show featured high-energy performances and surprise collaborations. Hosted by British pop star Rita Ora for the second year in a row, the ceremony emphasized fan engagement and international representation across genres.

• November 4, 2018 was the official date of the ceremony, making it one of the final major music award shows of the year.
• The Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao, Spain, hosted the event, drawing over 10,000 attendees and thousands more online viewers.
• Rita Ora became the first female artist to host the EMAs two years consecutively, bringing energetic transitions and personal flair.
• Fan voting determined all winners via MTV’s official website and social media platforms, reinforcing audience participation in the results.
• The 2018 show celebrated its 25th anniversary, featuring retrospectives and tributes to past iconic EMA moments.

How It Works

The MTV Europe Music Awards operate on a unique model combining fan influence, global reach, and genre diversity. Unlike juried award shows, the EMAs emphasize public opinion and digital engagement.

• Fan Voting: All categories are decided by public votes submitted online and through social media platforms during a designated window.
• Global Categories: Awards like Best UK Act and Best Asia Act ensure regional representation beyond U.S.-centric music markets.
• Eligibility Window: Artists are considered based on work released between September 2017 and September 2018, covering key albums and singles.
• Host Selection: The host is typically a high-profile pop artist with strong international appeal, such as Rita Ora in 2017 and 2018.
• Performance Lineup: Acts are chosen based on chart success, popularity, and promotional value, often debuting new songs live.
• Genre Categories: Awards span Best Pop, Best Rock, Best Hip-Hop, and others, reflecting current industry segmentation.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key aspects of the 2018 EMAs to the 2017 and 2019 editions:

The 2018 edition expanded to 20 award categories, up from 18 in 2017, adding more regional and genre-specific honors. This reflected MTV’s push to include diverse music scenes and increase fan interaction through digital tools.

Why It Matters

The 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards had a significant cultural and industry impact, highlighting the growing power of fan-driven recognition in music. By centering public voting and global inclusivity, the EMAs distinguished themselves from traditional award shows.

• Camila Cabello won Best Artist and Best Song, cementing her breakout solo success after leaving Fifth Harmony.
• Post Malone took home three awards, proving his crossover appeal in pop, hip-hop, and rock-influenced music.
• The ceremony featured a tribute to Aretha Franklin, honoring her legacy with a live performance by CeCe Winans.
• Performers included Madonna, Little Mix, and G-Eazy, showcasing a broad spectrum of musical styles.
• Viewership reached over 45 million across 180 countries, demonstrating the event’s global reach.
• The show highlighted LGBTQ+ inclusion, with artists like Years & Years advocating for equality during their acceptance speech.

Overall, the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards reinforced the shift toward audience-driven accolades and international artist recognition, setting a precedent for future ceremonies.