Little Simz presented hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes with the Global Icon Award at tonight’s 2024 MTV EMAs – watch footage below.
The awards ceremony went down at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on Sunday night (November 10). Rhymes was the recipient of the prestigious Global Icon award, which has previously been won by the likes of Queen, Eminem, Liam Gallagher, U2 and Whitney Houston.
During his acceptance speech at the ceremony, Busta revealed that he had never been to the Europe Music Awards before. “I ain’t gonna lie, MTV EMAs, this is my first time here,” he said as he took to the stage. “34 years of professional recording, this is the first time I’m getting an award from MTV, and it feels fucking incredible, yo.”
Celebrating OUR #MTVEMAs Global Icon, @BustaRhymes!! pic.twitter.com/KNZ6KPsdPL
— MTV (@MTV) November 10, 2024
In his lengthy speech, he also thanked LL Cool J for his influence on early hip-hop culture and for being his inspiration, crediting him for being the template for his earliest rhymes, and also took the time to thank his mother, who he described as his “best friend and hero”.
The rapper also referenced the as-yet-unreleased song he has made with Simz herself, who he thanked for “feeding my soul”, revealed he has a new album called ‘Dragon Season’ dropping on November 29, and then proceeded to play a medley of his best-known songs. Check out footage and reaction from the night below.
Don’t worry, we’re already celebrating Dragon Season at the #MTVEMAs! 🐉 @BustaRhymes
— MTV EMA (@mtvema) November 10, 2024
Accepting the Global Icon award from Little Simz, Busta Rhymes says this is his first EMAs. @CityLifeManc @MENnewsdesk #MTVEMAs pic.twitter.com/MfgTArYrd4
— Adam Maidment (@AdamMaidment) November 10, 2024
The acceptance speech by Busta for the Global Icon is so genuine man 🥺. he even included Little Simz when he was expressing his gratitude #MTVEMAs
— 𝕞𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕝𝕖 🎀 (@mabumdluliii) November 10, 2024
Busta Rhymes promised a performance and he has certainly delivered one. Proving he earned his Global Icon award. @CityLifeManc @MENnewsdesk #MTVEMAs pic.twitter.com/GshswH9yQM
— Adam Maidment (@AdamMaidment) November 10, 2024
Pretending I didn’t just lose my breathe trying to keep up with @BustaRhymes doing the “Look At Me Now” rap #MTVEMAs
— MTV EMA (@mtvema) November 10, 2024
Busta rhymes wants a Jedward collab pic.twitter.com/5rNir29jfO
— JEDWARD (@planetjedward) November 10, 2024
Busta first revealed that he was working on the collaboration last December. Speaking about women in rap music today, he said: “Right now, there is a huge female presence that has been really good for the culture. There has been an incredible and significant amount of dope women MCs that haven’t got the proper shine they deserved over the years. That imbalance, I was never a fan of it – I love women’s presence being as strong as it is right now. My immediate favourites are Scar Lip, Coi Leray, Bia and Little Simz.”
“I am actually in the process of doing some shit with Simz; I’m definitely looking forward to that.”
Simz, meanwhile, recently appeared on the Coldplay single ‘We Pray’, Sampha’s ‘Satellite Business 2.0’ and on Wretch 32’s comeback track ‘Black And British’.
She also joined forces with the Tate Modern in August by curating an evening of late night sessions of music, workshops and conversations.
The MTV EMAs were hosted by Rita Ora for a record-breaking third time, and featured live performances from Benson Boone, RAYE, Shawn Mendes, Teddy Swims, The Warning, LE SSERAFIM, Peso Pluma, Tyla, Busta Rhymes and Pet Shop Boys.
