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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.

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“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.

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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, they are insane. They have taken Afrobeats so far and I’m so honored to be winning this award… Afrobeats has opened so many doors for African music, so thank you so much to Afrobeats.”

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, “Oscar Winning 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. And 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 a lengthy eight-minute-long acceptance speech that also saw him thank his mother 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 rhymes 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 winnersGlobal Icon Award Busta RhymesMTV EMA Pop Pioneers AwardPet Shop BoysBest SongAriana Grande – we can’t be friends (wait for your love)Benson Boone – Beautiful ThingsBeyoncé – TEXAS HOLD ‘EMBillie Eilish – BIRDS OF A FEATHERChappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!WINNER: Sabrina Carpenter – EspressoBest VideoAriana Grande – we can’t be friends (wait for your love)Charli xcx – 360Eminem – HoudiniKendrick Lamar – Not Like UsLISA ft. Rosalía – NEW WOMANWINNER: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – FortnightBest ArtistBeyoncéBillie EilishPost MaloneRAYESabrina CarpenterWINNER: Taylor SwiftBest CollaborationCharli xcx & Billie Eilish – Guess featuring Billie EilishFuture, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like ThatLady Gaga, Bruno Mars – Die With A SmileWINNER: LISA ft. Rosalía – NEW WOMANPeso Pluma, Anitta – BELLAKEOTaylor Swift ft. Post Malone – FortnightBest NewAyra StarrWINNER: Benson BooneChappell RoanLE SSERAFIMTeddy SwimsThe Last Dinner PartyTylaBest PopWINNER: Ariana GrandeBillie EilishCamila CabelloCharli xcxDua LipaSabrina CarpenterTaylor SwiftBest AfrobeatsAsakeAyra StarrBurna BoyRemaTemsWINNER: TylaBest RockBon JoviColdplayGreen DayKings of LeonLenny KravitzWINNER: Liam GallagherThe KillersBest LatinAnittaBad BunnyKAROL GWINNER: Peso PlumaRauw AlejandroShakiraBest K-PopWINNER: JiminJung KookLE SSERAFIMLISANewJeansStray KidsBest AlternativeFontaines D.C.HozierWINNER: Imagine DragonsLana Del ReyTwenty One PilotsYUNGBLUDBest ElectronicWINNER: Calvin HarrisDavid GuettaDisclosureDJ SnakeFred Again..Swedish House MafiaBest Hip-HopCentral CeeWINNER: EminemKendrick LamarMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajTravis ScottBest R&BKehlaniSZATinasheWINNER: TylaUSHERVictoria MonétBest LiveAdeleColdplayDoja CatRAYEWINNER: Taylor SwiftTravis ScottBest PushAyra StarrChappell RoanCoco JonesFlyana BossJessie MurphLaufeyWINNER: LE SSERAFIMMark AmborShaboozeyTeddy SwimsThe WarningVictoria MonétBiggest FansAnittaAriana GrandeBeyoncéBillie EilishChappell RoanCharli xcxKaty PerryWINNER: LISANicki MinajSabrina CarpenterShawn MendesTaylor SwiftFull list of 2024 MTV EMA Worldwide WinnersBest African Act – TylaBest Asia Act – BINIBest Australian Act – SiaBest Austrian Act – RAF CamoraBest Brasilian Act – Pabllo VittarBest Canadian Act – Shawn MendesBest Caribbean Act – Young MikoBest Dutch Act – Roxy DekkerBest French Act – Pierre GarnierBest German Act – AylivaBest India Act – MaliBest Israeli Act – Noa KirelBest Italian Act – AnnalisaBest Lat Am Central Act – Manuel TurizoBest Lat Am North Act – YerimuaBest Lat Am South Act – DillomBest Nordic Act – Zara LarssonBest Polish Act – Daria ZawiałowBest Portuguese Act – Bárbara BandeiraBest Spanish Act – Lola IndigoBest Swiss Act – NemoBest UK & Ireland Act – RayeBest US Act – Taylor Swift