The inaugural YouTube awards have been broadcast, with Arcade Fire, Eminem and M.I.A. putting in eye catching performances.
Launched earlier this year, the YouTube Awards are both inevitable and controversial. As Flying Lotus sagely pointed out in the build up to the event, it "seems like the YouTube music awards are pretty much the same as the VMAs. I don't really see the point."
Well, the event rolled into (virtual) town last night night (November 3rd) and, in spite of the controversy, it managed to be a bold, outspoken show. Arcade Fire provided a performance of 'Afterlife' while Eminem delivered a stark, simple set.
Tyler, The Creator and Earl Sweatshirt both went in for the DIY approach, providing a slow motion vision of a mosh pit unfolding. M.I.A. blasted through 'Come Walk With Me' with strobe lights and an intense dance routine, while Spike Jonze sat in the director's chair.
There were, though, a few moments which jarred. Arcade Fire's Win Butler spoofed Kanye West, interrupting a squad of Miley Cyrus fans as they claimed the Phenomenon awards – you can know doubt guess how that one turned out…
Watch Arcade Fire performing 'Afterlife' below. (via FACT)
Full list of winners:
Video of the Year:
Epic Rap Battles of History – “Barack Obama vs Mitt Romney”
Demi Lovato – “Heart Attack”
Girls’ Generation - “I Got a Boy” (winner)
Justin Bieber (feat. Nicki Minaj) – “Beauty and a Beat”
Lady Gaga - “Applause”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (feat. Mary Lambert) – “Same Love”
Miley Cyrus – “We Can’t Stop”
One Direction - “Best Song Ever”
PSY - “Gentleman”
Selena Gomez - “Come & Get It”
Artist of the Year:
Eminem (winner)
Epic Rap Battles
Justin Bieber
Katy Perry
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Nicki Minaj
One Direction
PSY
Rihanna
Taylor Swift
Response of the Year:
Boyce Avenue (feat. Fifth Harmony) - Mirrors
Jayesslee - Gangnam Style
Lindsey Stirling and Pentatonix - Radioactive (winner)
ThePianoGuys - “Titanium / Pavane
Walk Off the Earth (feat. KRNFX) – I Knew You Were Trouble
YouTube Phenomenon:
Diamonds
Gangnam Style
Harlem Shake
I Knew You Were Trouble (winner)
Thrift Shop
YouTube Breakthrough:
Kendrick Lamar
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (winner)
Naughty Boy
Passenger
Rudimental
Innovation of the Year:
Anamanaguchi - ENDLESS FANTASY
Atoms for Peace - Ingenue
Bat for Lashes - Lilies
DeStorm - See Me Standing (winner)
Toro y Moi – Say That
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