From a poignant tribute to electric performances, there are definitely a lot of highlights from this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards.
The MTV EMAs were held at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester last November 10 celebrating the best artists around the globe.
Rita Ora, the ceremony’s host, took time during the performance to honor Liam Payne, the former member of One Direction who passed away last month at the age of 31 after falling from a balcony in Argentina. Ora and Payne worked together on the 2018 track, “For You.”
.@RitaOra remembers her friend, Liam Payne ❤️ #MTVEMAs pic.twitter.com/pmHv9dct9B
— MTV EMA (@mtvema) November 10, 2024
Despite not being in Manchester, Taylor Swift took home the most honors of the evening, winning for Best Artist, Best Live, Best U.S. Act, and Best Video for her hit song “Fortnight,” which featured Post Malone.
Tyla won three awards, including Best R&B, Best African Performer, and Best Afrobeats. Alongside writhing dancers, the South African singer had one of the night’s most memorable performances performing a two-song medley of “Push 2 Start” and “Water.”
.@Tyllaaaaaaa had the #MTVEMAs jumping with her performance of "Water" & "PUSH 2 START" 🐅 pic.twitter.com/4I7NRV4UiH
— MTV EMA (@mtvema) November 11, 2024
Nation’s girl group BINI has reached another milestone as they took home the award for Best Asia Act. They are the first Filipino artist to ever win the said category.
#BINI : BINI wins Best Asia Act at this year’s MTV EMA!✨
This honor means the world to us, seeing Filipino music shine on the global stage.
Maraming salamat po!@mtvasia @mtvema @MTV #BINI_Novemverse pic.twitter.com/ZHQ8geUssy
— BINI_PH (@BINI_ph) November 10, 2024
Benson Boone, who opened the two-hour show had an electric medley of “Slow It Down” and “Beautiful Things” playing a golden piano while being suspended midair.
Currently flipping out over @bensonboone's debut #MTVEMA performance 🤸♀️ pic.twitter.com/Gkn9HVYBty
— MTV EMA (@mtvema) November 10, 2024
K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM makes their U.K. live debut with their high energy performance of “Chasing Lightning” and “CRAZY”.
The girls are girling!! 💖 @le_sserafim just made their #MTVEMA debut and we couldn't be happier! pic.twitter.com/PsOxenrAyr
— MTV EMA (@mtvema) November 10, 2024
Other noteworthy performances include Shawn Mendes who performed his new single “Heart of Gold.” Together with a 30-piece choir, U.K. & Ireland act winner Raye performed a powerful mix of “Escapism,” “Oscar Winning Tears,” and “Body Dysmorphia.”
Absolute chills after watching @ShawnMendes' performance of "Heart of Gold" on the #MTVEMA stage ✨💛 pic.twitter.com/1dX5bFEqlF
— MTV EMA (@mtvema) November 10, 2024
https://x.com/mtvema/status/1855735457302151230
The EMA’s highest honor, the global icon award, was awarded to Busta Rhymes. Previous recipients of this award were received by artists like Queen, Eminem, Janet Jackson, U2, and Whitney Houston to name a few.
Before performing a selection of his best songs such as “Scenario,” “Put Your Hands Where The Eyes Can See,” “Do The BusABus Pt.2,” “Break Ya Neck,” and “Pass The Courvoisier,” the rapper paid homage to one of his heroes, LL Cool J, who was present at the ceremony on presenting duties.
Busta Rhymes Global Icon Recipient
Busta Rhymes Performance
Due to the volatility of world events following the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, last year’s EMAs were the first to ever be cancelled.
Here’s the full list of winners for this years MTV EMAs:
BEST SONG: Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
BEST VIDEO: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
BEST ARTIST: Taylor Swift
BEST COLLABORATION: LISA ft. Rosalía – NEW WOMAN
BEST NEW: Benson Boone
BEST POP: Ariana Grande
BEST AFROBEATS: Tyla
BEST ROCK: Liam Gallagher
BEST LATIN: Peso Pluma
BEST K-POP: Jimin
BEST ALTERNATIVE: Imagine Dragons
BEST ELECTRONIC: Calvin Harris
BEST HIP-HOP: Eminem
BEST R&B: Tyla
BEST LIVE: Taylor Swift
BEST PUSH: LE SSERAFIM
BIGGEST FANS: LISA
BEST AFRICAN ACT: Tyla
BEST ASIA ACT: BINI
BEST AUSTRALIAN ACT: Sia
BEST AUSTRIAN ACT: RAF Camora
BEST BRAZILIAN 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 U.K. & IRELAND ACT: RAYE
BEST U.S. ACT: Taylor Swift
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