Wizkid and Tems were nominated for the category following the success of ‘Essence’, their collaborative project.
The pair were nominated for the category alongside Amaarae, Diamond Platnumz, and Focalistic.
Justin Bieber, the Canadian singer, snagged eight nominations — the highest — followed by Doja Cat and Lil Nas X who got six nods each.
This year’s edition of the awards will take place on November 14 at the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna in Hungary, and would be broadcast live on MTV channels in 180 countries.
Reacting to her nomination, Tems said: “I’m extremely excited to be nominated for the Best African Act at the MTV EMAs. The last few years have been crazy and I am just grateful to God for all the blessings so far.
“I am honoured to be a part of the amazing voices from our continent who are breaking barriers and redefining music globally.”
Below is the complete list of nominees for the 2021 MTV EMA:
BEST AFRICAN ACT
Tems
Wizkid
Amaarae
Diamond Platnumz
Focalistic
BEST ARTIST
Doja Cat
Ed Sheeran
Justin Bieber
Lady Gaga
Lil Nas X
The Weeknd
BEST POP
BTS
Doja Cat
Dua Lipa
Ed Sheeran
Justin Bieber
Olivia Rodrigo
BEST SONG
Doja Cat ft. SZA – Kiss Me More
Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits
Justin Bieber – Peaches ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
Lil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers License
The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber – STAY
BEST VIDEO
Doja Cat ft. SZA – Kiss Me More
Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits
Justin Bieber – Peaches ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
Lil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
Normani ft. Cardi B – Wild Side
Taylor Swift – willow
BEST COLLABORATION
Black Eyed Peas, Shakira – GIRL LIKE ME
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – Leave the Door Open
Doja Cat ft. SZA – Kiss Me More
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – INDUSTRY BABY
The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber – STAY
The Weeknd & Ariana Grande – Save Your Tears (Remix)
BEST NEW
Giveon
Griff
Olivia Rodrigo
Rauw Alejandro
Saweetie
The Kid LAROI
BEST ELECTRONIC
Calvin Harris
David Guetta
Joel Corry
Marshmello
Skrillex
Swedish House Mafia
BEST ROCK
Coldplay
Foo Fighters
Imagine Dragons
Kings Of Leon
Måneskin
The Killers
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Halsey
Lorde
Machine Gun Kelly
Twenty One Pilots
WILLOW
YUNGBLUD
BEST LATIN
Bad Bunny
J. Balvin
Maluma
Rauw Alejandro
Rosalía
Shakira
BEST HIP-HOP
Cardi B
DJ Khaled
Drake
Kanye West
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
BEST K-POP
BTS
LISA
Monsta X
NCT 127
ROSÉ
TWICE
BEST GROUP
BTS
Imagine Dragons
Jonas Brothers
Little Mix
Måneskin
Silk Sonic
BEST PUSH
24KGoldn
Fousheé
girl in red
Griff
JC Stewart
JXDN
Latto
Madison Beer
Olivia Rodrigo
Remi Wolf
SAINt JHN
The Kid LAROI
BIGGEST FANS
Ariana Grande
BLACKPINK
BTS
Justin Bieber
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift
VIDEO FOR GOOD
Billie Eilish – Your Power
Demi Lovato – Dancing With The Devil
girl in red – Serotonin
H.E.R. – Fight For You
Harry Styles – Treat People With Kindness
Lil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
Best US Act (BEST LOCAL ACT*)
Ariana Grande
Doja Cat
Lil Nas X
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift