Commanding a set inspired by Manchester’s music heritage – and its warehouse party legacy – third time host Rita Ora, dazzled fans with several outfit changes and during the show invited global audiences into “Rita’s Bar”, set in a balcony overlooking thousands of fans. [MANCHESTER DISTRO ONLY] Happy Mondays legends Shaun and Bez even popped in for a chat.
Within the show was a heartfelt moment in remembrance of Liam Payne, with personal words from Rita.
Along with Tyla, performers Benson Boone and LE SSERAFIM also accepted their first MTV EMAs. Benson Boone took home “Best New”, whilst LE SSERAFIM won “Best Push”. After winning “Best New” in 2023, Peso Pluma continued his MTV EMAs winning streak with a “Best Latin” win tonight.
“Best Song” went to Sabrina Carpenter for her massive hit “Espresso”, whilst other winners included Ariana Grande (“Best Pop”), Calvin Harris (“Best Electronic”), Imagine Dragons (“Best Alternative”), Eminem (“Best Hip-Hop”), Jimin (“Best K-Pop) plus LISA and Rosalía (“Best Collaboration”). Fittingly for the host city, Manchester legend Liam Gallagher was crowned “Best Rock”. See the full MTV EMAs winners list, including regional winners, further down.
Benson Boone opened the show in acrobatic fashion, suspended in the air playing a golden grand piano whilst serenading the crowd with his hits “Slow It Down” and “Beautiful Things”.
Bringing her latest track “Push 2 Start” to the MTV EMAs stage, Tyla appeared in glimmering body paint, flanked by dancers and a car, before getting the crowd singing along with her smash hit “Water”.
Band of sisters The Warning performed a pyro-fuelled rendition of their single “Automatic Sun”. The Mexican trio rocked the stage with fiery vocals and flaming visuals to match.
“Best UK & Ireland Act” winner RAYE mesmerised the audience with her spine-tingling vocals and undeniable stage presence, flanked by sweeping drapes, her name in lights, a 30-strong choir and a 13-piece live band.
In an intimate performance, Shawn Mendes and his live band lit up the entire set with bright, dramatic lighting, highlighting his raw, heartfelt vocals. Shawn also won “Best Canadian Act”.
Hip-hop institution Busta Rhymes received the 2024 MTV EMAs Global Icon Award from British rapper Little Simz. The groundbreaking hip-hop legend also took over the entire venue with a troupe of high-energy, dragon head-wearing dancers, and a giant dragon visual, for a mega medley performance showcasing his world-class skills with “Scenario”, “Put Your Hands Where The Eyes Can See”, “I Know What You Want”, “Do The BusABus Pt.2”, “Break Ya Neck”, “Look At Me Now”, “Touch It” and “Pass The Courvoisier”.
K-Pop force LE SSERAFIM staged a thunderstorm as the backdrop to their track “Chasing Lightning”, followed by “CRAZY”, in a performance led by unparalleled dance skills atop a set of stairs.
Peso Pluma’s performance of his single “Hollywood” featured a surprise appearance from his collaborator on the track, Estevan Plazola. The pair were backed by an 8-piece band – uniquely without a drummer – and a distressed, Hollywood sign-style set piece spelling “PP”.
Closing out the show, the inaugural 2024 MTV EMA Pop Pioneer recipients Pet Shop Boys produced a visual spectacle alongside local string players the Manchester Camerata, who all sported the band’s iconic cone hats. Surrounded by glittering light, the duo once again pushed the boundaries of visual artistry in their signature style with a cover of David Bowie’s “All The Young Dudes” followed by their anthem “West End Girls”, a momentous celebration of the single’s 40th anniversary.
Full List of 2024 MTV EMA Winners
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
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 Zawialow
BEST PORTUGUESE ACT
Bárbara Bandeira
BEST SPANISH ACT
Lola Indigo
BEST SWISS ACT
Nemo
BEST UK & IRELAND ACT
RAYE
BEST US ACT
Taylor Swift
