Never thought we’d hear ourselves saying it, but tonight we’re totally going to watch the MTV Europe Music Awards. Or at least, like, a little bit. Lisbon’s kuduro/batida talents Buraka Som Sistema will accept their award for Best Portuguese Act this evening, so we talked to João Barbosa aka Lil’ John, on the line from his hotel room in sunny Liverpool.

For a group who’ve literally broken musical borders, playing shows in Angola and helping to bring the Angolan kuduro movement to world renown, the EMAs might be a strange fit. It’s a ceremony that’s better known for paying tribute to the kings and queens of American pop music. For instance, Eminem has won more awards there than anyone. There are only a few exceptions to this dominance of the MTV mothership, French electro-bangers Justice scooped a few categories in ’07. But, then again, that’s a whole ‘nother story.

Buraka Som Sistema were nominated last year as well, for an award titled New Sounds Of Europe. They came eight. Of their success this year, decided by popular vote, João says “To be honest, it’s strange. There are 20 winners, bands who are big in their countries. It’s like Eurovision or something.” For sure, Buraka Som Sistema is the only name on the list of European acts we’ve ever heard of. But even though João compares it to the schmaltzy euro pop song contest, being awarded at a high media coverage event where Kanye West and Beyoncé are tipped to perform, is something pretty decent to have on the resumé.

The Portuguese acts who’ve won this category in the past have been “mostly very dark rock and heavy metal bands,” says João. But when I express surprise that there’s a big heavy metal scene in Portugal, he laughs. “No… they’re just really good at motivating their fan base, I guess.” He explains that the Buraka nomination was good timing. Their album Black Diamond came out with a lot of promo locally, that coincided with the award nominations.

Still, as much as João might be downplaying their success, there’s a sense of a shift in the acceptance of kuduro beats in Portugal, even since their performances at this year’s summer festivals like Sónar and Glastonbury. When asked in June 08 about ‘lusophonia’, the idea of a worldwide network of music connected via the Portuguese-African diaspora, they shrugged it off as an academic construct. “It’s a dream – a beautiful dream”, Kalaf Ângelo said softly. João added that the local music industry hadn’t offered much support to back up this whole lusophonia concept. Remind João of this comment now, and he says (with a measure of reserve in his voice, but also of hopefulness), “It’s changing. Things are starting to happen.”

Tonight they’ll be watching the ceremony from a different building to the big-name pop stars, a special compound for what the MTV honchos have titled “original artists”, a tag João pokes fun of. Still, in a week of historic nominations, Portugal’s music industry are tonight forced to pay attention to a group whose music combines Angolan, Cuban and Portuguese influences. And that’s no small thing.

Now that they’re taking pride of place for being truly original, what’s next? Touring with Gwen Stefani? In a typical response, João says firmly and quickly “No.” Then, after pausing for a split second, he deadpans, “Kanye West.”

BONUS: On The Floor! - Buraka Som Sistema (Enchufada, Lisbon, Portugal)

Headphone Highlights coming very soon.