Comic band Gorillaz, fronted by Blur’s Damon Albarn, picked up six nominations on Tuesday for the eagerly anticipated 2001 MTV Europe Music Awards. The virtual band led the field, scoring more nods than both Eminem and Robbie Williams, and will take on Destiny’s Child, Limp Bizkit, REM and U2 for Best Group honours when the awards air live from Frankfurt on November 8.
Comedian Ali G, aka Sacha Baron Cohen, announced the nominees and has taken over hosting duties for the annual bash. “I is very honoured to be hosting these awards for MTV, which I believe is the bestest channel in the whole world, obviously,” he joked. “Well, apart from the Fantasy Channel and Channel X.”
“I is looking forward to the awards and all da beautiful ladies I going to come across,” he said, referring to artists including Janet Jackson, adding that he’d gladly take any of them home. “Don’t be surprised if in nine months time there is a Destiny’s grandchild,” he quipped cheekily.
The glitzy ceremony will feature performances from “some of the greatest artists in the world,” said the comedian, adding, tongue in cheek, “and Craig David”. R&B trio Destiny’s Child, who scored four nods including Best Song for their hit Survivor, are scheduled to take to the stage, as are Janet Jackson, Depeche Mode and Thank You singer Dido. More acts will likely be confirmed in the coming weeks.
No word on whether Gorillaz will make an appearance. The cartoon band, represented on screen by Jamie Hewlett’s animated characters, is composed of a series of diverse artists including DJ Dan “The Automator” Nakamura, Buena Vista Social Club’s Ibrahim Ferrer and Tina Weymouth of the Talking Heads. The virtual troupe is up for Best Song for their smash Clint Eastwood and the newly added Web Award.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
