2004 EMAs – IT'S TONIGHT!

The 2004 MTV Europe Music Awards takes place tonight in Rome and it's going to be massive.

Rehearsals are still taking place; massive shiny bits of set-design are being erected; the red carpet's being hoovered; and tonight's host Xzibit is doing press-ups.

Some of tonight's performers and presenters are currently being massaged, fed and Red Bulled through their hangovers after getting into the party spirit last night.

Italian designer Fendi threw a bash at one of Rome's hottest clubs, attended by various EMAs stars including Usher (he loves his lager), Naomi Campbell (spotted winking at an MTV Base producer called Dillon), and N.E.R.D (Pharrell was wearing a hat. No really, he was!).

Beastie Boys and Franz Ferdinand, both performers at tonight's ceremony, were also out on the town, playing secret warm-up gigs in tiny venues. Kanye West was among the fellow EMAs stars in attendance " he went to both gigs and may or may not have had a carbonara in the middle.

So in just a few hours, it all kicks-off. It's getting exciting

Tune-in to the 2004 MTV Europe Music Awards on MTV UK tonight (November 18) at 8pm. You can also watch the EMAs live online at mtv.co.uk/ema.

The 2004 MTV Europe Music Awards are sponsored by Replay Blue Jeans, L'Oreal Paris Studio Line, Hewlett Packard and Foot Locker.

DL