Taylor Swift, Tyla and Sabrina Carpenter were among the big winners at the 2024 MTV EMAs, which also included a poignant tribute to Liam Payne, almost one month on from the singer’s death in Argentina.
“I just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us. We lost him recently, and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world, and I think a lot of yours at home and everybody in here tonight,” said the show’s host Rita Ora, who duetted with the former One Direction vocalist on 2018’s “For You (Fifty Shades Freed).”
“He had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could,” said a tearful Ora. “He brought so much joy to every room he walked into, and he left such a mark on this world,” said the visibly moved host.
The EMAs show, which was staged at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, on Sunday (Nov. 10), also featured a brief video tribute to Payne.
Swift, who was not present in Manchester, won the most awards on the night, taking home prizes for best artist, best live, best U.S. act and best video for her Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone.
“I have to say thank you so much to Post Malone for being the most amazing co-star possible,” said Swift in a video acceptance speech.
Just behind Swift with three awards was Tyla, who took home trophies for best Afrobeats, best R&B and best African act. The South African singer, who was honored with a global impact award at Billboard’s R&B No. 1s event in New York earlier this year, also delivered one of the night’s standout performances, flanked by writhing dancers for a lively two-song medley of “Push 2 Start” and “Water.”
“I can’t believe it,” said Tyla accepting the best afrobeats prize from LL Cool J. “Literally, all the nominees are insane. They have taken Afrobeats so far and I’m so inspired [by them]… Afrobeats has opened so many doors to African music, so thank you so much to everybody.”
Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande, who both did not attend the show, won best song for “Espresso” and the award best pop, respectively. Billie Eilish and Charli xcx, who were also absent, failed to win in any of the five categories they were each nominated.
Benson Boone opened the two-hour show, which was being held in the U.K. for the first time since 2017, with an impassioned energetic run through “Slow It Down” and “Beautiful Things” that began with the 22-year-old suspended in the air as he played a golden grand piano. Later in the evening, Boone collected his first EMA award in the form of the best new act title.
Making their U.K. live debut, K-pop band LE SSERAFIM delivered an energetic performance of “Chasing Lightning” and “CRAZY”, the title track from their latest EP, which topped Billboard’s Top Album Sales in September.
The five-piece pop group, who made their Coachella debut this year, were rewarded for their efforts with the best push award, one of three prizes they were nominated for in the lead up to Sunday’s show.
Other memorable performances included Shawn Mendes playing his new single “Heart of Gold,” Mexican trio The Warning with a raucous, pyrotechnic-accompanied rendition of “Automatic Sun” and Best U.K. and Ireland act winner Raye, joined by a 30-piece choir for a stirring medley of “Escapism, “Tears” and “Body Dysmorphia.”
Meanwhile, best Latin recipient Peso Pluma was joined by Estevan Plazola for a rousing performance of their hit single collaboration “Hollywood.”
Busta Rhymes won the global icon award, EMAs top honor, previously received by Queen, Eminem, Janet Jackson, U2 and Whitney Houston, among others.
“Thirty-four years of professionally recording, this is the first time I’m getting an award from MTV. It feels fucking incredible,” said Rhymes collecting the icon trophy from British rapper Little Simz.
The Brooklyn-born rapper went on to play glowing tribute to “one of my heroes” LL Cool J, who was at the ceremony on presenting duties, before performing a collection of his greatest hits, including “Scenario,” “Put Your Hands Where The Eyes Can See,” “Do The BusABus Pt.2,” “Break Ya Neck” and “Pass The Courvoisier”.
“LL Cool J was the template that I followed,” said Rhymes in an eight-minute long acceptance speech that also saw him thank his mum and Public Enemy’s Chuck D for supporting him at the start of his career.
“I learned how to become the embodiment of Busta Rhymes because I love to bust lines for real and I love hip-hop for real,” he told the audience.
“Busta Rhymes is a true creative visionary who has made a massive impact on the musical landscape and pop culture,” Bruce Gillmer, the event’s executive producer and president of music and chief content officer for music at MTV parent company Paramount+, told Billboard in the run up to Sunday’s ceremony.
The show also contained a succession of playful references to the musical heritage of host city of Manchester with the Hacienda night club’s famous yellow and black striped branding and the distinctive opening riff of New Order’s “Blue Monday” recurring motifs throughout the evening.
Local band Blossoms, from the nearby town of Stockport, also made a cameo joking with host Ora as she served champagne in a bar style setting, while one of the show’s more surreal moments featured Ora chatting with Happy Mondays’ founder members Shaun Ryder and Bez with the latter in characteristically uncontrollable, highly spirited form.
In addition to marking the 30th anniversary of MTV’s EMAs, which first took place in Berlin in 1994, Sunday’s show was the first EMAs since 2022 after last year’s event in Paris was cancelled due to global security reasons in connection with the Israel-Hamas war.
Pet Shop Boys were joined by members of the Manchester Camerata orchestra (wearing the band’s iconic cone hats) to close the show with a stirring cover of David Bowie’s “All The Young Dudes” followed by the band’s debut hit “West End Girls,” first released in 1984.
Full list of 2024 MTV EMA nominees and winners
Global Icon Award
Busta Rhymes
MTV EMA Pop Pioneers Award
Pet Shop Boys
Best Song
Ariana Grande – we can’t be friends (wait for your love)
Benson Boone – Beautiful Things
Beyoncé – TEXAS HOLD ‘EM
Billie Eilish – BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
WINNER: Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Best Video
Ariana Grande – we can’t be friends (wait for your love)
Charli xcx – 360
Eminem – Houdini
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
LISA ft. Rosalía – NEW WOMAN
WINNER: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Best Artist
Beyoncé
Billie Eilish
Post Malone
RAYE
Sabrina Carpenter
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Best Collaboration
Charli xcx & Billie Eilish – Guess featuring Billie Eilish
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like That
Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile
WINNER: LISA ft. Rosalía – NEW WOMAN
Peso Pluma, Anitta – BELLAKEO
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Best New
Ayra Starr
WINNER: Benson Boone
Chappell Roan
LE SSERAFIM
Teddy Swims
The Last Dinner Party
Tyla
Best Pop
WINNER: Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Charli xcx
Dua Lipa
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
Best Afrobeats
Asake
Ayra Starr
Burna Boy
Rema
Tems
WINNER: Tyla
Best Rock
Bon Jovi
Coldplay
Green Day
Kings of Leon
Lenny Kravitz
WINNER: Liam Gallagher
The Killers
Best Latin
Anitta
Bad Bunny
KAROL G
WINNER: Peso Pluma
Rauw Alejandro
Shakira
Best K-Pop
WINNER: Jimin
Jung Kook
LE SSERAFIM
LISA
NewJeans
Stray Kids
Best Alternative
Fontaines D.C.
Hozier
WINNER: Imagine Dragons
Lana Del Rey
Twenty One Pilots
YUNGBLUD
Best Electronic
WINNER: Calvin Harris
David Guetta
Disclosure
DJ Snake
Fred Again..
Swedish House Mafia
Best Hip-Hop
Central Cee
WINNER: Eminem
Kendrick Lamar
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Travis Scott
Best R&B
Kehlani
SZA
Tinashe
WINNER: Tyla
USHER
Victoria Monét
Best Live
Adele
Coldplay
Doja Cat
RAYE
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Travis Scott
Best Push
Ayra Starr
Chappell Roan
Coco Jones
Flyana Boss
Jessie Murph
Laufey
WINNER: LE SSERAFIM
Mark Ambor
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
The Warning
Victoria Monét
Biggest Fans
Anitta
Ariana Grande
Beyoncé
Billie Eilish
Chappell Roan
Charli xcx
Katy Perry
WINNER: LISA
Nicki Minaj
Sabrina Carpenter
Shawn Mendes
Taylor Swift
Full list of 2024 MTV EMA Worldwide Winners
Best African Act – Tyla
Best Asia Act – BINI
Best Australian Act – Sia
Best Austrian Act – RAF Camora
Best Brasilian Act – Pabllo Vittar
Best Canadian Act – Shawn Mendes
Best Caribbean Act – Young Miko
Best Dutch Act – Roxy Dekker
Best French Act – Pierre Garnier
Best German Act – Ayliva
Best India Act – Mali
Best Israeli Act – Noa Kirel
Best Italian Act – Annalisa
Best Lat Am Central Act – Manuel Turizo
Best Lat Am North Act – Yerimua
Best Lat Am South Act – Dillom
Best Nordic Act – Zara Larsson
Best Polish Act – Daria Zawiałow
Best Portuguese Act – Bárbara Bandeira
Best Spanish Act – Lola Indigo
Best Swiss Act – Nemo
Best UK & Ireland Act – Raye
Best US Act – Taylor Swift