First up, Mr. Carter b.k.a. Jay-Z took the stage for another performance of his Billboard Hot 100 #3 single, “Empire State of Mind”, at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards Thursday evening in Berlin, Germany. Alicia Keys was not able to make the performance so Roc Nation signee, Bridget Kelly, substituted. Jay also won the award for Best Urban Artist.

We love the song but we do not want to see this performed at another award show again and unfortunately we think it will be at the 2009 AMA’s. If you didn’t know any better you’d think Bridget Kelly was Alicia but we already became used when she substituted at Jay’s 9/11 concert. Overall, the performance was sufficient but with artists like Jay, the music has to be great because there are no theatrics or elaborate choreography to make up for anything.

Speaking of “Empire State of Mind” it was announced earlier today that Alicia Keys will record Part II for her upcoming album, The Element of Freedom.

Beyoncé took to the stage for her first televised live performance of “Sweet Dreams.” She also won the award of Best Song for “Halo.”

WOW! We swear Ms. Knowles-Carter can walk out with her vagina exposed and she would not receive as much flack as other pop female artists, or maybe she would. Her whole image has just become more and more sexy over the years.

Back to the performance; it was short and the ending came too soon but other than that it was an amazing 3 minute performance. Her vocals were flawless, the choreography was on point, the back-up dancers were in sync… the whole performance was an overall winner. We also like the use of red; one of our favorite colors.