Blackpink’s Lisa performs SaWaDiKa at MTV Video Music Awards for the first time — Rolling Stone

In Los Angeles, Blackpink member Lisa performed her new single SaWaDiKa live for the first time at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. The performance at the Peacock Theater was built around the boxing theme from the song’s music video, Rolling Stone reports.

Boxing theme on stage

During the performance, the singer and rapper delivered intense choreography and rode across the stage on a moving platform, which she later climbed onto. Rolling Stone described the staging as a combination of a boxing match and a nightclub.

The track, released at the beginning of the month, marked Lisa’s return to a rap sound. The song was produced by Tom Bridges, who has worked with Katseye and John Summit, as well as the songwriting duo Ojivolta.

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Award and upcoming projects

At the ceremony, Lisa received the first award of the evening in the Best Pop category. During her speech, she burst into tears and said that the dreams she had late at night had brought her to this stage.

SaWaDiKa offers a first look at the upcoming EP Press Play, scheduled for release on October 23 via LLOUD Co./RCA Records. The world premiere of the documentary Always Lalisa is set to take place on October 12. Later in the fall, the artist will begin her Viva La Lisa residency in Las Vegas: shows at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace are scheduled for November 13, 14, 27 and 28.