Miley Cyrus might have been spotted at one of Amsterdam’s famed coffee shops — known for more than coffee — but she’s not the only one already getting the party started this weekend in the Dutch city for the MTV European Music Awards (EMAs) on Sunday.
As some of music’s biggest names head into town, including Eminem, Cyrus’ partner-in-crime Robin Thicke, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Jay Sean, Swizz Beats, Swedish sensations Icona Pop and Dutch pride Afrojack, organisers promised a party like never before at a pre-event press conference on Saturday.
American DJ and rapper Redfoo, one half of the hit musical duo LMFAO, who will play MC for the night at the city’s famed Ziggo Dome, warned attendees to prepare to be shocked by the night’s performances.
“It’s just going to be out of this world,” said the singer, who said he wasn’t going to let Cyrus upstage him, hinting at her controversial performance at the VMAs in August.
“I’ve got my crazy costumes this time. And remember, I have the microphone,” he joked.
Snoop Dogg “really really” likes the city
Dutch producer and DJ Afrojack refused to be coerced into revealing where he’s been taking his celebrity friends in the run-up to the main awards, despite being spotted with Snoop Dogg, who he says “really really” likes the city.
“Yea we tried some coffee and it was cool,” he teased. “It’s crazy. My manager just told me he bumped into Will Ferrell at the gym. So it’s really exciting to be here with all these people and having a party with them.”
Ferrell will be one of the evening’s presenters and will make an appearance in his Anchorman persona to promote the hit comedy sequel.
Hometown star Afrojack, who is scheduled to perform with Snoop Dogg, is also nominated for Best Electronic and Best Dutch Act.
Hit Swedish duo Icona Pop, also nominated in three categories, including Best New Nominee and Best Swedish Act, promised “a lot of crazy stuff” at their performance.
“This is our first EMAs, it’s kind of surreal but we’re just excited to be here,” Caroline Hjelt said.
Moroccan singer Ahmad Soultan is representing the Middle East, Africa and India for the second time this year in the Worldwide Act category, voting for which closed on Saturday. Soultan is up against the likes of Justin Bieber (Best Canada Act), One Direction (Best UK and Ireland Act) and Cody Simpson (Best Australian Act) in the fan-voted category.
Spotlight on Eminem
But whatever Cyrus gets up to on stage on Sunday night, one of the highlights will definitely be this year’s Global Icon recipient: Eminem.
The rapper, who earlier this month released his eighth studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, will be on hand to receive the honour.
“He is one of the most creative and unique artists of our time, a true pioneer. And with his current project already shattering records, he is the most appropriate choice for such an award,” Bruce Gillmer, co-executive producer of the EMAs and executive VP of talent and music programming/events at Viacom International Media Networks, which owns MTV, said.
This year has seen a 70 per cent jump in online fan participation, the executive added, with EMA hashtags, including #Emazing, trending over the weekend on Twitter, thanks mostly to Bieber and One Direction fans.
With an ‘out of this world’ theme, Redfoo was also asked what his official title — ‘intergalactic MC’ — meant.
“I will be giving a galactic energy, so everything I do is going to be out of this world. There will be extra-planetary gravity,” he said.
He, however, dodged questions about whether it’s the end of the road for LMFAO.
“SkyBlu is my cousin. But right now I’m doing my own thing, he’s doing his own thing. LMFAO will live forever in our videos,” he said.
And that was as specific an answer we were going to get as who exactly ended up in those coffee shops or just how much twerking Cyrus is going to be doing this time round.
