Britney Spears Takes Europe by Storm as Four Time Winner At the 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards

Business Wire, Nov 12, 1999

DUBLIN, Ireland & Santa Monica, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)-- Nov. 11, 1999--

Bono Receives the Free Your Mind Award

From Mick Jagger in His Home Country

Britney Spears was without a doubt the overall winner at the 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) held tonight at the Point, Dublin. The young pop star swept the Awards, winning in each of the four categories in which she was nominated; Best Female, Best Pop, Best Breakthrough Artist, and Best Song for her smash hit and first single, 'Baby One More Time'. She also wowed the crowd, performing a medley of her hit singles. The show will be broadcast to a potential worldwide audience of one billion people via MTV's international channels as well as terrestrial networks in 15 countries. MTV's global network reaches 300 million households in 83 territories. The 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards will air on MTV in the U.S. on Saturday, November 20 at 7:00PM (ET/PT).

In keeping with MTVs pro-social stance, Bono was awarded the Free Your Mind Award. Mick Jagger made the presentation, which recognises the superstar's commitment to helping others and his position as a positive role model to youth around the world. (see below for further details)

Local band Boyzone, fronted by show host Ronan Keating, had reason to celebrate as they won the award for Best Album for their top selling release "By Request" as well as being voted Best MTV UK & Ireland Act. The show's theme combines the rich musical heritage of Ireland with the hip, contemporary atmosphere that host city Dublin provides as the setting.

The complete list of winners is as follows:

- Best Dance: Fat Boy Slim - Best Hip Hop: Eminem - Best Rock: The Offspring - Best Nordic Act: Lene Marlin - Best R&B: Whitney Houston - Best Group: The Backstreet Boys

(accepting via satellite) - Best German Act: Xavier Naidoo - Best Male : Will Smith - Best Italian Act: Elio e le Storie Tese - Best Video: Blur for "Coffee and Tea" (directed

by Nick Goldsmith, Garth Jennings and

Dominic Leung of Hammer and Tongs) - Free Your Mind Award Bono

The evening's performances highlighted the diversity of music featured on the show including hip hop, pop, rock, R&B, electronic music, soul, folk, and punk. Some highlights included Puff Daddy's moving rendition of "My Best Friend" in a dramatic setting with a full gospel choir; Irish favourites, The Corrs, performing their new single, "Radio", with a full string section featuring local musicians; Iggy Pop stage diving into the audience (packed with ardent fans in the general admission area) during his rendition of "Lust for Life"; and Marilyn Manson closing the show with an electrifying performance of "Rock is Dead", dressed in nothing but a G-string, and covered in black and red body paint. Manson commented that his costume represented being "burned from the depths of hell".

Other performances of the night included Mariah Carey ("Heartbreaker"), Underworld ("Push Upstairs"), Britney Spears medley ("...Baby One More Time - You Drive Me Crazy"), The Offspring ("The Kids Aren't Alright"), Jamiroquai ("King for a Day"), Whitney Houston ("Get it Back"/"My Love is Your Love"), The Cardigans ("Erase/Rewind"), Ligabue ("L'Odore Del Sesso").

B*Witched and Westlife kicked off the night's party during The Countdown Show filmed live outside the Point prior to the EMAs.

Guest Presenters included: Alicia Silverstone, Brett Anderson, The Edge, Pierce Brosnan and Denise Richards, Carmen Electra, Christina Aguilera, Damon Albarn, Missy Elliott, Des'ree, Eternal, 5ive, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Mick Jagger, Gerri Halliwell, Iggy Pop, Jovanotti, Armand van Helden, Mary J. Bilge, Sasha, Steps, TQ and The Jukka Brothers.

"Tonight's 'Europe Music Awards' reflects MTV's success as the only TV network providing localised services with an international perspective," commented Bill Roedy, President of MTV/VH1 International. "The awards celebrate the viewers' musical tastes from Europe, while the show is a massive, multi-cultural music experience with performances by top European and international acts."

Free Your Mind Award presented to Bono:

The Free Your Mind Award was presented to Bono by Mick Jagger, along with an intimate and moving video message from United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan who said, "You have taught young people that they do have the power to change the world. And you have reminded world leaders that working for a better world is their first duty. Above all you have taught us never to forget the poor."

The Free Your Mind Award acknowledges and recognizes Bono's commitment to causes that range from and include Live Aid, Amnesty International, and NetAid.

The Free Your Mind Award is based upon the ideals of MTV's global "Free Your Mind" campaign which aims to highlight humanitarian issues and encourage freedom from all kinds of intolerance and prejudice. The award is intended for any individual or organisation which exemplifies the ideals of MTV's campaign. Bono is the first individual to receive this award and is donating the (Pounds) 10,000 award to Concern, an organisation committed to helping the world's poorest people.