DIVINE, When Chai Met Toast, Mali, Tsumyoki and Dee MC Lead MTV EMA Best India Act Nominees

MTV Europe Music Awards have announced their Best India Act nominees up for public voting, with hip-hop star DIVINE, pop singer-songwriter Mali, indie-folk band When Chai Met Toast, Goa-based hip-hop artist Tsumyoki and rapper Dee MC making the cut. The MTV EMAs, which takes place in Paris this year, will announce winners on November 5th, with a live broadcast on MTV in more than 150 countries.

The Best India Act category, which was instated in 2012, sees DIVINE come up for his fourth nomination and his second potential win. He was first nominated for Best India Act jointly with rapper and singer-songwriter Raja Kumari in 2018 for their song “City Slums,” and returned to earn a place in the category in 2020, 2021 (which he won) and this year.

Everyone else is pretty much a first-time nominee among Indian artists this year, with Mali, Dee MC, Tsumyoki and When Chai Met Toast gaining recognition for having a busy year touring and promoting formidable new music. The MTV EMA Best India Act winner in 2022 was pop star Armaan Malik, who edged out nominees including Raja Kumari, Badshah, DJ-producer Gurbax and electronic-pop duo Zephyrtone. Voting for the Best India Act this year remains open until October 31st at 23:59 CET, which is November 1st, 4:29 AM IST.

Including India, there are a number of country-wise award categories at the EMAs. The broader Best Asia Act category, for example, includes nominees such as Japan’s BE:FIRST, Thai artist BRIGHT, Philippines singer Moira, Indonesia’s Tiara Andini and South Korean act TREASURE.

The MTV EMA 2023 also marks the inaugural Best Afrobeats award category. Nominees include hitmakers such as Asake, Aya Nakamura, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Davido and Rema. Big international artists nominated at the MTV EMAs include Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA and Taylor Swift.

Vote for the Best India Act at MTV EMA 2023 here.