Pet Shop Boys, Raye, Shawn Mendes star at MTV EMAs
Performances by global stars such as Pet Shop Boys, Busta Rhymes, Raye, Shawn Mendes and Peso Pluma lit up the 2024 MTV EMAs at Manchester’s Co-op Live.
The show, which was hosted for a third time by Rita Ora, marked the awards’ 30th anniversary and was broadcast in over 150 countries.
Featuring a set inspired by Manchester’s music heritage and warehouse party legacy, last night’s (10 November) production was the first time the event had been staged in the city.
Benson Boone opened the show in acrobatic fashion, suspended in the air playing a golden grand piano, while other performers included The Warning, Le Sserafim, Teddy Swims and Tyla.
The inaugural MTV EMA Pop Pioneer recipients, Pet Shop Boys closed the show alongside local string players the Manchester Camerata with a cover of David Bowie’s All The Young Dudes followed by West End Girls, celebrating the single’s 40th anniversary.
Taylor Swift topped the winners list, netting trophies for Best Video with Fortnight (feat. Post Malone), Best Artist, Best Live and Best US Act. Swift, who sent a video acceptance speech from her tour in the US, was followed by three-time winner Tyla, who scooped her first ever MTV EMAs for Best Afrobeats, Best R&B and Best African Act.
The show also featured an emotional tribute to the late Liam Payne from Ora, who collaborated with the former One Direction singer on the 2018 hit For You (Fifty Shades Freed).
First held in Berlin, Germany in 1994, the EMAs had most recently been staged in the UK at London’s OVO Arena Wembley in 2017.
The 2023 EMAs were cancelled last October “out of an abundance of caution” amid the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
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 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
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MTV EMAs cancelled out of ‘abundance of caution’
The 2023 MTV EMAs have been cancelled “out of an abundance of caution” amid the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
First held in Berlin, Germany in 1994, the annual awards show was due to take place in France at Paris Nord Villepinte on Sunday 5 November and broadcast live in more than 150 countries.
Around a dozen acts had been lined up to perform including Anne-Marie, David Guetta, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jung Kook, Rema, Sabrina Carpenter and The Kid Laroi. Paris last hosted the awards in 1995.
“Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward with the 2023 MTV EMAs out of an abundance of caution for the thousands of employees, crew members, artists, fans, and partners who travel from all corners of the world to bring the show to life,” says a statement from awards organiser Paramount.
“As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration”
As per the BBC, Palestinian health officials say more than 3,700 people have been killed in Gaza since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, killing more than 1,400 people. At least 260 people were killed after Hamas stormed trance music festival Supernova Sokkot as part of the coordinated offensive.
“The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music,” adds the statement. “As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration. With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning. Voting is continuing and the winning artists will receive their MTV EMA Awards.”
Paramount adds that it is looking forward to hosting the MTV EMAs again in November 2024.
France has been on its highest security alert since the fatal stabbing of a schoolteacher in the town of Arras last week.
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