Ah, jeez--an awards show, the MTV EMAs, but also a celebration of freedom, see, because Reagan/Gorbachev/the power of music tore down the Berlin Wall twenty years ago so that Bono could branch out into rap, and New York Mayor (?!) Jay-Z could talk about fixed elections in Iran and genocide in Rwanda athwart the Brandenburg Gate. But the walls of mercenary capitalism remain very much intact, right Berliner Kurier?

A free gift to the people of Berlin to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall? That's what you think. Only 10,000 fans will be lucky enough to be there. Partitions have been set up blocking the view of the Brandenburg Gate and the entire area is cordoned off. Only holders of the coveted tickets are allowed in. Everyone else will be turned away. The fans are furious. A new wall has been constructed to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall. Is that someone's idea of a bad joke?

More than you know, local Berlin newspaper! More than you know.

Jay-Z x U2 "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (Germany) [Rap Radar]
Beyonce Wins Big At MTV EMAs In Berlin [Billboard]