U2, Madonna and Christina Aguilera normally wouldn't have to nervously look over their shoulders for Rick Astley at the MTV Europe Music Awards, taking place in Liverpool and scheduled to air this November. But that was before Rickrolling, the internet trickery that surprisingly vaulted Astley to the top of the pop culture heap.
Now the phenomenon has come full circle: According to the BBC, Astley is the front-runner for the show's Best Act Ever award, the winner of which will be chosen online by fans and other culture vultures.
"It's very, very odd, isn't it?" Astley said in an audio file posted on the BBC Friday. "Pop music is bizarre."
Bizarre indeed, although par for the course in the 21st century, where the internet has taken over the music industry – and taken few prisoners in the process. Rickrolling rerouted millions of viewers from their chosen videos to Astley's 1987 hit "Never Gonna Give You Up," which during its time propelled the pop singer to the top of the charts in the UK and other countries. But even though it was a stone-cold hit single, it wasn't enough to land Astley any MTV awards. Until now.
"To be honest, I think someone's having a wind-up," Astley told the BBC. "But whatever. It's a bit of fun. I don't think I'll be buying a ticket to Liverpool."
I would, Rick. I would. The internet made you a star 20 years after your biggest hit. I couldn't even embed your video in this post, as they've all been disabled due their stunning popularity. So I have full faith that lightning may strike twice. Good luck to you, sir.
Photo: RickAstley.co.uk
