Machine Gun Kelly Wins Top Prize at 2013 mtvU WOODIE AWARDS

mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network, tonight named Machine Gun Kelly, Earl Sweatshirt, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Weeknd, Kimbra, A-Trak, Mark Foster, Danny Brown, Belmont University's The Lonely Biscuits, and KSUA 91.5 FM from the University of Alaska Fairbanks winners of the "2013 mtvU Woodie Awards," honoring the artists who are infiltrating the music landscape. Tegan and Sara surprised co-host of the show Machine Gun Kelly, who took home the "Breaking Woodie" award just one year ago, with the night's biggest honor - "Woodie of the Year." This year, the "Breaking Woodie" went to best emerging artist Earl Sweatshirt. In addition to performing a spirited rendition of "Thrift Shop," one of MTV's 2013 "Artists to Watch," Macklemore & Ryan Lewis won the first-ever "Branching Out Woodie," which recognizes artists who found creative ways to reach fans via social media, for hosting a concert for fans live on YouTube. The Weeknd won the "FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) Woodie," which goes to the artist who hosted the biggest "can't miss" performance or cultural moment, Danny Brown snagged the "Best Video Woodie," and the "Tag Team Woodie" went to Kimbra, Mark Foster and A-Trak for their collaboration on "Warrior."

"As many dark times that we've had, the fans have always shown me the light and I'm ready to take on the world with them. No quote can describe my gratitude. F*cking thank you! Lace up." said Machine Gun Kelly.

"'Warrior' is the first time that I worked with either Mark Foster or Kimbra," said A-Trak. "We worked on the song in something like a dozen cities, I'm so thankful to the fans for giving us this award and also a huge shout out to the video directors Daniels. Thanks!"

"I'm happy to win this Woodie because this is one the fans pick and that's what matters most!" said Danny Brown.

MTV and mtvU will air the half-hour "2013 mtvU Woodie Awards Special" on Sunday, March 17 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, showcasing some of the best "Woodie Awards" performances by Tegan and Sara, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Zedd, and twenty one pilots, in addition to celebrating the night's winners. Hosted by Tegan and Sara and Machine Gun Kelly, the special will also feature appearances from fun., Paramore, Mac Miller, Ed Sheeran, Kat Graham, A$AP Rocky, Fall Out Boy and more sharing their love for the night's nominees.

Twin sister indie pop sensations Tegan and Sara kicked off the memorable Austin night with a rousing set, which included crowd favorites "Bodywork" and "Closer." Next, the infectious energy of twenty one pilots spread throughout the audience, as the band back-flipped off their instruments and surfed through the crowd while performing their set. Not to be outdone, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis kept spirits high with their chart-topping hit "Thrift Shop," just before surprise guest Schoolboy Q joined them for "White Walls." The show was officially closed by German EDM producer/DJ/songwriter Zedd. Amid a hypnotic stream of smoke, lights and lasers, Zedd kept the crowd moving with a jam-packed set including hits "Fall Into the Sky," "Spectrum" and "Clarity," the title track off his debut album, which reached #1 on the iTunes Dance Chart.

The marathon day of music began at 2:00 p.m. locally with a set from The Lonely Biscuits, the winner of the first-ever Chevrolet Sonic College Artist Woodie Award. It continued with a host of live performances by up-and-coming artists during the "Woodie Awards Festival" including HAIM, Jake Bugg, Atlas Genius, Alt-J, Timeflies and on the MTV Jams stage, Trinidad Jame$, Pusha T Travi$ Scott and Joey Bada$$. The festival crowd also went wild when surprise guest, rapper T.I., who took the stage with Travi$ Scott.

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