The 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards highlighted a diverse roster of global artists, recognizing innovation and impact across regions. From genre breakthroughs to high-profile collaborations, the nominees and winners reflected the year’s most resonant sounds and stories.
Below is a focused overview of key categories, major nominees, and the artists who claimed the Moonman trophy at the 2018 ceremony.
| Category | Nominees | Winner | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Song | Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug — Havana, Post Malone & 21 Savage — Rockstar, Cardi B ft. Bad Bunny & J Balvin — I Like It, Dua Lipa — New Rules, DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller — Wild Thoughts | Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug — Havana | International |
| Best Video | Taylor Swift — Look What You Made Me Do, Cardi B — Bodak Yellow, Kendrick Lamar — Humble, The Carters — Summer, ZAYN ft. Sia — Dusk Till Dawn | Taylor Swift — Look What You Made Me Do | International |
| Best Female | Camila Cabello, Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift | Camila Cabello | International |
| Best Male | Drake, Ed Sheeran, Post Malone, Shawn Mendes, The Weeknd | Post Malone | United States |
| Best Push | Bazzi, Hailee Steinfeld, Kiana Ledé, Rita Ora, Sigrid | Bazzi | United States |
| Best Rock | The 1975, Fall Out Boy, Green Day, Imagine Dragons, Thirty Seconds to Mars | Thirty Seconds to Mars | United States |
Best Song Nominees And Genre Impact
Best Song nominees at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards represented pop, Latin crossover, and hip-hop influence. The categories highlighted how streaming and radio synergy shaped mainstream preferences during the year.
Camila Cabello’s Havana set a benchmark for Latin-pop appeal, while tracks like Rockstar and I Like It underscored the growing presence of bilingual collaborations on global charts.
Best Video Visuals And Narrative Trends
Best Video nominees demonstrated how storytelling, production design, and choreography defined the year’s visual language. Swift’s Look What You Made Me Drove a conversation around narrative-driven pop spectacles.
Meanwhile, music videos from artists like Kendrick Lamar and Cardi B balanced bold aesthetics with culturally specific references that resonated across audiences.
Genre And Regional Recognition
The 2018 ceremony emphasized regional momentum across Europe and beyond, with categories such as Best Push and regional acts shaping worldwide conversations. Bazzi’s win signaled emerging artists who leveraged streaming platforms to build dedicated fanbases.
Rock and alternative genres also gained visibility through confident performances and cross-demographic reach, showing that diverse tastes were central to the event’s identity.
Artist Performance Highlights And Stage Moments
Live performances at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards became a focal point, with many artists delivering high-energy sets that translated well to global broadcast. These moments frequently translated into social media spikes and on-demand engagement in the days following the show.
Strong stage presence and memorable visuals helped nominees maintain momentum in the competitive awards cycle.
Key Takeaways And Industry Influence
- Latin crossover tracks achieved mainstream dominance, reshaping global pop trends.
- Visual storytelling in music videos became a decisive factor in audience engagement.
- Streaming performance directly correlated with awards momentum and nomination volume.
- Genre diversity strengthened the ceremony’s appeal across regions and demographics.
- Live stage presence remained a critical component of post-awards visibility.
FAQ
Reader questions
Which artist received the most nominations at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards?
While specific nomination counts varied by source, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, and Taylor Swift were among the most frequently nominated artists across multiple categories that year.
Who won Best Female at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards?
Camila Cabello won the Best Female award at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards.
Which video won Best Video at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards?
Taylor Swift’s Look What You Made Me Do won Best Video at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards.
Which artist won Best Push in 208 MTV Europe Music Awards?
Bazzi won the Best Push award at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards.