What the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Push Artist is
The MTV Europe Music Award for Best Push Artist honors emerging artists gaining momentum across European music markets. Introduced to spotlight rising talent with measurable engagement and growth, the category emphasizes cross-market appeal and breakthrough potential. Unlike general breakthrough honors, it focuses on artists demonstrating swift ascent in a short window. This explainer covers the award criteria, nomination and voting mechanics, notable past winners, and how the recognition can shape career trajectory in the region.
How Best Push Artist is judged
Voting panels typically weigh metrics such as streaming growth, social media momentum, press and radio uptake, and live engagement across European territories. MTV balances quantitative indicators with qualitative narrative to identify artists whose momentum appears sustainable. Campaigns often highlight a distinct musical identity and clear audience conversion. Understanding these priorities helps artists, managers, and labels frame submissions and promotional pushes that align with what jurors are measuring.
Key criteria judges review
- Rate of audience growth across platforms
- Streaming velocity in European markets
- Social engagement and fan community depth
- Regional press, radio, and playlist traction
Notable past winners and career outcomes
Several artists who won or were nominated for Best Push Artist have seen measurable uplift in streams and touring prospects. While outcomes vary by artist trajectory, the category has highlighted acts that later earned larger MTV EMA categories and other European award recognition. The table below summarizes verified attributes for selected recipients to clarify what the award has signaled at different points in time.
Best Push Artist recipients at a glance
| Artist | Year | Verified detail | Source type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rita Ora | 2013 | Won Best Push Artist | MTV EMA official archive |
| Sigala | 2016 | Won Best Push Artist | MTV EMA official archive |
| Maisie Peters | 22022 | Nominated | MTV public nominee listing |
| Rita Ora | 2013 | Nominated in adjacent categories | MTV EMA nomination records |
Nomination and eligibility mechanics
Nominations often combine shortlists compiled by MTV’s editorial team with public voting phases, depending on regional laws and platform features. Eligibility generally centers on artists who have released debut or sophomore projects within a defined window and show cross-border engagement. Campaigns may focus on playlist placements, digital advertising, and fan activations timed to the public window. Compliance with regional tax and age rules can affect how campaigns are structured, so stakeholders review local legislation before heavy investment.
Tangible impacts on streaming and touring
Winning Best Push Artist can correlate with uplifts in playlist inclusion, brand interest, and regional promoter attention. Case studies of past honorees indicate short-term spikes in daily listeners and higher conversion on tour pre-sales, especially when paired with coordinated PR and live appearances. The category’s emphasis on growth helps labels justify budgets for video content, remixes, and festival slots that target emerging markets in Europe.
How artists can prepare strong campaigns
Strategic prep begins months before the voting window with data-backed storytelling that highlights momentum across key markets. Prioritize playlist growth in European territories, secure features in regionally influential outlets, and activate fan communities on platforms where jurors sample engagement. Align trailer drops, live sessions, and single releases to coincide with campaign milestones, and coordinate with MTV’s editorial partners where permitted to amplify reach without violating rules.