11/22/2024
From K-pop gossip to the star-studded afterparty in West Hollywood, here’s what Billboard learned and overheard during the first-ever MAMA Awards ceremony in the States.
11/22/2024
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To an outside observer on Thursday, November 14, New Zealand politician Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke’s reaction on Parliament’s floor may have been a surprise. But the immediate reaction of other Members of Parliament (MPs) joining the 22-year-old, who’d ripped up a copy of a treaty bill, made it more than obvious that they knew what was coming: a haka. The bill she was holding intended to reinterpret the 184-year-old clauses in the Treaty of Waitangi, previously signed between the Crown and Indigenous Māori chiefs.
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Who Is Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke?
According to SBS News, Maipi-Clarke is New Zealand’s youngest MP since 1853, and this is not her first haka. Toward the beginning of her first speech to Parliament in December of 2023, she also performed a haka, a traditional Māori ceremonial dance involving dance-like movements, chanting and exaggerated facial expressions. With hopes of being the voice of a new generation of young voters in New Zealand, she has vowed to protect Māori rights and culture.
In two of her many areas of focus, she is a strong advocate for educating about indigenous people and addressing climate change. Inspired by her grandfather, Taitimu Maipi, a member of the Māori activist group Nga Tamatoa, she is also a grand-niece to Māori language activist Hana Te Hemara. (In a 1972 petition, spearheaded by Te Hemara and signed by 33,000 Māori and Pākehā, the document called for the introduction of Māori language and culture curriculum in schools nationwide while worldwide protests were happening regarding civil rights, women’s rights and the Vietnam war.)
Why Did Maipi-Clarke Rip Up the Bill About the Treaty of Waitangi?
For those who remember U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi tearing up the “State Of the Union” speech of 2016 President Donald Trump, this may have felt nostalgic. Pelosi’s reason for doing so? She couldn’t find one page “that didn’t have a lie on it,” she told fellow Democratic lawmakers the next day. The Dems’ response? A standing ovation.
In Maipi-Clarke’s case, the paper she was holding held more weight than a speech. Before a vote could be taken to make the bill a new law, Maipi-Clarke ripped up the controversial bill on the Parliament floor. The reinterpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi, in Māori and English, was first signed in 1840. In it, the tribes were promised broad land rights that protect their interests in return for relinquishing governance to the British. In the rewritten one, all New Zealanders would have those rights.
According to the bill’s creator David Seymour, who will become deputy prime minister next year as part of a governing coalition agreement, stated that Maori people “enjoy privileges not accorded to other New Zealanders under the nation’s founding document, the 184-year-old Treaty of Waitangi.”
Arguments made in support of the treaty were startlingly similar to the kind of rationale used in opposition to Affirmative Action. In their case, though, the goal was changing the treaty for factors such as land ownership, a touchy point that was creating racial tension between some MPs and British leaders.
US Embassy
Maipi-Clarke’s One-Day Suspension, Willie Jackson Kicked Out for Not Apologizing
There were a couple of other interesting parallels in Parliament that may have felt like a blast from the not-so-distant past in the U.S. In 2017 and 2023, South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson and Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene yelled out at former President Barack H. Obama and current President Joe Biden, accusing them of being liars during their “State Of the Union” addresses. Neither member of Congress apologized, and the SOTU continued on.
Across the country on the Parliament floor in 2024, Willie Jackson, the Labor MP and Maori leader, was ejected from the chamber after calling Seymour a liar and refusing to withdraw or apologize for his comment. But after the haka and the vocal protest against British colonization, Speaker Gerry Brownlee suspended Parliament for nearly half an hour, describing Maipi-Clarke’s behavior as “grossly disorderly, appallingly disrespectful and premeditated.” Maipi-Clarke was suspended for 24 hours.
But unlike U.S. Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who also openly protested Congressional decisions, New Zealand MPs Jackson and Maipi-Clarke were not kicked out of their roles altogether. The U.S. House of Representatives, on the other hand, specifically targeted two of three protesters while one remained unscathed.
The Protest Hits the Streets
Tens of thousands of Māori communities gathered outside of the Parliament doors in a hīkoi (i.e., protest) against the re-interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi and Māori rights. On Tuesday, November 19, these 35,000 protestors marched from the northern tip of New Zealand’s North Island to parliament in the capital Wellington, at the southern tip of the island. The march was also described as a “celebration of a resurging Indigenous language and identity” and a way to fight for their “tamariki, for our mokopuna” (children and grandchildren).
And unlike protests such as January 6, 2021, this has been a peaceful cross-country march without breaking into any politician’s office or private Parliament quarters. No one has reportedly had to be evacuated or threatened with hangings. At bus stops, people of all ages and races waited with Māori sovereignty flags. Some local schools opted out of reporting students as absent who participated, and the city’s mayor joined the protest.
Small Party, Big Power
Regardless of open proponents, the proposed law passed its first vote last Thursday, November 14, after it had been discussed at length for months. Even in New Zealand’s tiny parties, the political system is set up to allow them to negotiate outsized influence. But the treaty is especially alarming to those who are noticing progress made for the Māori, such as celebrating the new national holiday Matariki in 2022, one year after Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the U.S.
And while the bill has not become a law, protesters are vocal and noticing they’re more united than they were in years prior.
“It’s different to when I was a child,” a protester named Shanell Bob told Associated Press. “We’re stronger now, our tamariki are stronger now, they know who they are, they’re proud of who they are.”
The 2024 MAMA Awards have arrived!
Going into the three-day international K-pop awards ceremony taking place at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre (on Nov. 21) and the Kyoawea Dome in Osaka, Japan (Nov. 22-23), aespa is the leading nominee, racking up eight nods, including multiple recognitions in the night’s “Grand” awards like the Visa Artist of the Year, Visa Song of the Year, and Visa Album of the Year. Following the girl group is JENNIE with seven nominations, with the BLACKPINK star’s solo work earning her recognition in Grand award categories like Artist and Song of the Year.
Acts like Girls’ Generation’s TAEYEON, SEVENTEEN, (G)I-DLE, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, and RIIZE all scored multiple nods across the Grand awards as well.
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The MAMAs officially kicked off in Los Angeles on Thursday, Nov. 21, with a morning media press conference with US performers J.Y. Park and RIIZE previewing their performances. In sharing details about his Anderson .Paak collaborative performance night, Park teased a slightly impromptu performance with his “favorite drummer” where the two focused more on feeling out the performance in the moment. Meanwhile, RIIZE shared their stage invoked Michael Jackson with eldest member Shotaro teasing a dance section between himself and member Wonbin that drew inspiration from an “eclipse.”
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Who will emerge the big winners across three nights of awards, performances and more surprises? Follow along with Billboard throughout as we keep track of the winners, updating live.
Best New Male Artist82MAJORALL(H)OURSAMPERS&ONENCT WISHNOWADAYSTWS
Best New Female ArtistBABYMONSTERILLITMEOVVQWERUNISYOUNG POSSE
Best Male GroupENHYPENNCT DREAMSEVENTEENStray KidsTOMORROW X TOGETHERZEROBASEONE
Best Female Group(G)I-DLEaespaIVELE SSERAFIMNewJeansTWICE
Best Male ArtistBAEKHYUNJiminJung KookLim Young WoongTAEMIN
Best Female ArtistIUJENNIENAYEON (TWICE)TAEYEONYUQI ((G)I-DLE)
Best Dance Performance Male SoloJimin– WhoJung Kook – Standing Next to YouKEY – Pleasure ShopTAEMIN – GuiltyTAEYONG – TAP
Best Dance Performance Female SoloHWASA – NAJENNIE – You & MeNAYEON (TWICE) – ABCDSUNMI – Balloon in LoveYUQI ((G)I-DLE) – FREAK
Best Dance Performance Male GroupNCT 127 – Fact Check RIIZE – Love 119SEVENTEEN – God of MusicStray Kids – LALALALAENHYPEN – Sweet VenomTWS – plot twist
Best Dance Performance Female Group(G)I-DLE – Super Ladyaespa – SupernovaILLIT – MagneticIVE – BaddieLE SSERAFIM – EASYNewJeans – How Sweet
Best Vocal Performance SoloBIBI – Bam Yang GangIU – Love wins allLEE MU JIN – EpisodeLim Young Woong – WarmthTAEYEON – To. X
Best Vocal Performance Group(G)I-DLE – FateAKMU – HeroDAVICHI – A very personal storyPLAVE – WAY 4 LUVRed Velvet – Cosmic
Best Rap & Hip-Hop PerformanceDEAN – DIE 4 YOULee Young Ji – Small girl (Feat. D.O.)Leellamarz -Boys Like Girls (Feat. Gist, Jayci yucca)RM – LOST!ZICO – SPOT! (Feat. JENNIE)
Best Band PerformanceDAY6 – Welcome to the ShowHYUKOH, Sunset Rollercoaster – Young ManLUCY – The knight who can’t die and the silk cradleN.Flying – Into YouQWER – T.B.H
Best CollaborationGroovyRoom – Yes or No (Feat. HUH YUNJIN of LE SSERAFIM, Crush)Jay Park – Taxi Blurr (feat. NATTY of KISS OF LIFE)Lee Young Ji – Small girl (Feat. D.O.)Sung Si Kyung, Naul – Even for a momentZICO – SPOT! (Feat. JENNIE)
Best OSTCrush – Love You With All My Heart (Queen of Tears OST)ECLIPSE – Sudden Shower (Lovely Runner OST)LEE CHANGSUB – Heavenly fate (A Not So Fairy tale OST)Roy Kim – Whenever, Wherever (My Demon OST)TAEYEON – Dream (Welcome to Samdal-ri OST)
Best Music Videoaespa – ArmageddonIU – Love wins allIVE – HEYAK.Will – No Sad Song For My Broken Heart (Prod. Yoonsang)SEVENTEEN – MAESTRO
Best Choreographyaespa – SupernovaILLIT – MagneticLE SSERAFIM – CRAZYNewJeans – SupernaturalRIIZE – ImpossibleTAEMIN – Guilty
Visa ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Visa SONG OF THE YEAR
Visa ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Visa FANS’ CHOICE OF THE YEAR
FANS’ CHOICE MALE / FANS’ CHOICE FEMALE
In just two months, MEOVV has leaped onto the K-pop scene by showcasing a promising range and bold artistry set to claw out a legacy all their own.
The five-member girl group is the first-ever launched by THEBLACKLABEL, the agency founded by legendary producer Teddy with over 25 years in crafting K-pop classics by the likes of BIGBANG, 2NE1, PSY and BLACKPINK, that now houses top talent like Rosé, Taeyang, Jeon Somi and more. The excitement around MEOVV’s debut translated into a record deal with Columbia Records, millions of views on the group’s intriguing, fashion-forward teaser visuals, and bold debut single “MEOW” roaring onto Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart at No. 10 in September.
Despite the ultra-polished visuals and Teddy’s guiding hand, MEOVV balances raw confidence and relatability as seen in their two new singles: the energetic anthem “BODY” and emotionally charged “TOXIC.” The songs establish the five-piece’s immense range of potential, effortlessly transitioning from a fierce, pump-up track to a throbbing, electro-pop midtempo with universal emotional resonance.
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See latest videos, charts and news
MEOVV members Sooin, Gawon, Anna, Narin and Ella’s impressive multilingual abilities — able to communicate in English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish — are matched by an undeniable warmth and relatability. Speaking with Billboard from Seoul during an evening Zoom call, the members spoke mostly in English but flowed seamlessly between languages, exuding a genuine camaraderie that belied their relatively short time as a group. Even with just months under their belts as a team, the group spoke about the pride they had in their music (especially as “TOXIC” was co-written by Gawon and Narin) and hoping to be a place of comfort for fans (emphasizing how they want to be relatable and authentic).
Trending on Billboard
As MEOVV continue to prowl forward on their journey together, get to know the K-Pop Rookie of the Month for November 2024 as they share details about how they formed, advice from BLACKPINK, their inner cats and more.
MEOVV just debuted in September with two new singles in November. How have these past couple of weeks and months been for you?
GAWON: Wow. Super hectic, but very exciting.
ELLA: Where we came out with our debut only about a month ago, we got to see a lot about how we kind of are on stage in front of people so it was really a good learning period of time to see what we could do better, what we could maybe work on or keep doing. It was like a good time to learn and grow. And now we’re ready for our next release.
Can you tell us how MEOVV formed and what it was like when the five of you came together?
NARIN: We all come from different backgrounds and have lived very different lives. So when we first met at THEBLACKLABEL, we were like complete strangers. But I think we also had that strong connection to each other since we all love music — we have a strong, shared passion for music, shared vision, common interests and everything. I think it was very natural for us to connect to each other and really become a team.
GAWON: Yeah, I think that just brought us together. And then one day we just found ourselves recording “MEOW,” filming videos, preparing, and rehearsing. SOOIN unnie and I knew each other from a few years back and then we reunited at THEBLACKLABEL and it was like, “Oh my God, what the heck, you’re here!”
NARIN: And I think when we first started recording our first debut song, “MEOW,” we all have so different voices and it’s very unique, but when recording, it was all just like becoming one song.
GAWON: And I think we started to feel like, “Oh, this makes so much sense.” Like, when we were also in the studio, we just sonically made sense. At that time, we didn’t really like, know each other on a deeper, deeper level so I think through those kind of processes and preparing for our debut, we got to know each other and we bonded over that. I think it just felt right. Yeah, it felt right.
You are the first group from THEBLACKLABEL, millions of people have viewed just your trailer teasers, the “MEOW” music video earned over 30 million views. Did you feel pressure to live up to any expectations?
ELLA: I think there definitely was times of pressure, but I think it was mostly, like, excitement — we were excited to finally put out music now. But when there were moments of pressure, I think we channeled it well into working hard.
GAWON: Yeah and when there were moments of pressure, it was mostly just excitement. Like, “Yeah! We’re gonna debut! Yeah!” I think we were able to turn that into motivation and just fuel for the fire that we had while preparing to be out in the world.
MEOVV is the newest girl group produced by Teddy, a legendary producer. Were you Teddy fans or fans of any of the artists he worked with in the past?
SOOIN: We were all definitely fans.
GAWON: I came from the States, but I was still surrounded by his music growing up. It’s just everywhere.
NARIN: And his music is just so iconic.
GAWON: With the legacy that he created in music, we’re just so excited to be able to continue that as MEOVV. I love everyone and everyone he worked with — even 1TYM!
K-pop fans may have knew ELLA’s background and being close with the BLACKPINK members. How did you get to know them?
ELLA: It just came naturally because when I first came to THEBLACKLABEL, I met them when I was really young, just one time in the studio when they were working. Then while we were preparing for our debut, we got a lot of tips and advice from them so they’re really supportive. It’s kind of crazy thinking like, “Oh, I met them kind of doing what we’re doing now.”
GAWON: It really puts things into perspective. They’re so sweet and give such such great advice.
ELLA: They’ve been doing this for so long — it’s like, what better person to get advice from than them? They know it best.
In September, “MEOW” debuted at No. 10 on the World Digital Song Sales chart. Did you see the news?
NARIN: I definitely remember the moment when GAWON unnie found it out and then she told us — I think we were in the elevator, yeah —
GAWON: I was just scrolling and I was like, “Huh? What?”
ELLA: We didn’t believe her at first!
NARIN: We said, “What do you mean Billboard? What do you mean?” And then we all started cheering.
ALL: Yay, Billboard! [Cheering and laughing]
Let’s discuss the new singles “TOXIC” and “BODY.” What do these songs mean to MEOVV?
GAWON: Well these two new releases are very different from “MEOW.” The two songs are very contrasting to each other. But at the same time, they’re able to simultaneously compliment each other in a way where it just balances everything out.
NARIN: “TOXIC” is very emotional and very honest; it’s more vulnerable. We’re also more emotionally attached to this one because we wrote the lyrics. It’s been a minute since we wrote, but GAWON and I were in the studio and they just put on a random song, which was just the beat and maybe melodies for the chorus on “TOXIC.”
GAWON: Yeah, melodies for the chorus and a theme of “toxic.” This song is about being toxic and then, um, he [Teddy] left us in the studio. He was like, “Oh, I have to go do something. You guys do whatever you want with it. Have fun.” [Laughs]
NARIN: I love how the emotions that we had while writing lyrics are now for everyone to share with us.
GAWON: It shines in the music video too, it’s just a lot of shared emotions. It’s kind of like a full circle moment. We love “TOXIC.”
Would it be safe to say “TOXIC” is everyone’s favorite single over “BODY”?
NARIN: Oh, that’s very tricky because “BODY” feels like one of our members now — it’s like our friend. It’s always there in the practice room…
ELLA: It’s always there…
GAWON: …in the car. It’s this kind of energy that we just hold with us everywhere we go. Especially moments before stage, we’re like, “Let’s go, let’s go!”
How was shooting the music videos?
GAWON: Oh my god, it’s so special…both videos for each of the songs hold a very special place in our heart because It was very natural; it was very pure. Like us in our purest forms [for “TOXIC”].
ELLA: It wasn’t even like a music video shoot. It was just like, “Oh, it was like a hangout moment” and they were just capturing the moment. And then with “BODY” it’s just like, we just had so much fun; we just had so much fun having a party. We were bonding after that.
ANNA: There was a scene [in “TOXIC”] where we were just like running around the street, just playing like little girls, Everyone was watching us. Actually. It wasn’t like a set, It was just [outside] on the street and when the light green, It was like, “Let’s just go!” and then we started running, jumping, lying down. It was really nice.
ELLA: It wasn’t a [traditional music video] set, we were outside and when recording started, it was like, “Let’s just go!” and we started running, jumping, lying down.
What messages do you want to share with “TOXIC” and “BODY”?
NARIN: They’re both about our raw emotions and our authenticity.
GAWON: They’re very honest so I feel like people could look forward to that and we hope that a lot of people can resonate with both songs in these different aspects of being confident but also at the same time being able to be more vulnerable about your true emotions and your experiences.
ELLA: I hope that when people watch the music video, they’re entertained by watching us and our sort of vulnerability and emotion, but they are also like they also can kind of find that with themselves.
GAWON: Yeah, I hope they see themselves in us.
As a fun question about your concept, I’d love to know what kind of cat your members identify with one another.
ELLA: Starting with GAWON unnie, she’s such a big cat — like a leopard.
SOOIN: Or a cheetah! She has long legs too, she’s big and tall.
ELLA: And she likes cheetah print so it’s your vibe.
NARIN: And Anna Jang?
ELLA: She’s like a kitten!
NARIN: You’re like a little, white English Shorthair; that’s what you are!
ELLA: But it has to be a baby,
SOOIN: A small, shy baby, kitten.
ANNA: I agree with that. [Laughs]
NARIN: I feel like SOOIN needs blue eyes, because she loves blue, she’s obsessed with blue…
SOOIN: I love blue. [Shows blue accessories, notebook and blue phone case]
ELLA: So, a Siamese cat with blue eyes.
SOOIN: I like it.
ELLA: And for NARIN, I think you’re not a regular cat but from The Aristocats animation, what’s the one with the pink bow’s name? Marie from The Aristocats, yeah.
GAWON: She is so Marie.
NARIN: Thanks, I like that.
GAWON: You know what you are, ELLA? You are Puss in Boots — like a tabby cat.
NARIN: With the smirk.
ELLA: Yeah, I like the orange ones — that’s my personality too. I like it.
Thank you for the very satisfying answers across the board. To wrap up, looking at MEOVV overall, what are your goals and dreams as a group?
ELLA: I just hope that people will get inspired listening to our music and maybe discover more about themselves and their emotions.
GAWON: Being able to connect with more people through our music, I just want people to feel something when they see us. Whatever emotion that may be, just to share experiences and feelings together. In terms of goals, I think we just want to establish MEOVV further and just create our identity and while also keeping our own individuality.
What else should we look forward to, or do you want to share with fans now?
SOOIN: We have so many songs that we’re working on and we picked the best out of the best for this release. So, it’s just only a bit of what they’re about to show to the world. We hope that people are looking forward to us in the future!
ANNA: This time, our songs are really good so I want to show a better performance while preparing for it. In the future, I hope I can show it to the fans around the world soon.
GAWON: One last thing I would like to say is that we’ll just thank you for your continued support — all the fans and everyone who is tuning into our music.
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