MTV EMAs: Taylor Swift wins big, tribute to Liam Payne
The 2024 MTV EMAs took place in Manchester, England, where Taylor Swift emerged as the big winner of the night. Swift received multiple awards including best artist, best U.S. act, best live act, and best video for her song “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone. Despite being on tour, Swift expressed her gratitude to her fans through a video message.
The show kicked off with Benson Boone captivating the audience with a performance of his hits “Beautiful Things” and “Slow it Down” while suspended in the air on a grand piano. Boone also clinched the award for best new act. South African rising star Tyla also had a successful night, winning three awards for best afrobeats, best R&B, and best African act. Tyla delivered a high-energy performance of her songs “Water” and “Push 2 Start” at the Co-op Live in Manchester.
Hosted by Rita Ora for the third time, the show paid tribute to the late Liam Payne, former member of One Direction, who tragically passed away recently. Ora shared fond memories of Payne and urged the audience to remember his kindness and impact on the world.
Legendary hip-hop artist Busta Rhymes received the EMAs global icon award from British rapper Little Simz. Rhymes, in his 34 years of music career, received his first award from MTV and treated the audience to a medley of his greatest hits.
Additional award winners included Shawn Mendes for best Canadian act, Sabrina Carpenter for best song with “Espresso,” Ariana Grande for best pop act, and Eminem for best hip hop act. The iconic duo Pet Shop Boys received the Pop Pioneers Award for their contribution to pop music and closed the show with a special performance.
The night also featured performances from various artists including K-Pop group Le Sserafim, Mexican artist Peso Pluma, English singer Raye, Mendes, Teddy Swims, and the Warning. Presenters included LL Cool J, Gavin Rossdale, Neneh Cherry, Mabel, and actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Lucien Laviscount.
Overall, the 2024 MTV EMAs in Manchester was a night filled with memorable performances, heartfelt tributes, and well-deserved recognition for talented artists across various genres.
