Grammy snub The Weeknd, BTS sweep 2021 Billboard Music Awards
What's the story
The 2021 Billboard Music Awards aired live on NBC from LA. Hosted by Nick Jonas, accompanied by wife Priyanka Chopra as a presenter, the award ceremony celebrated some of the biggest hitmakers of the year. The Weeknd, BTS and Drake were some of the biggest winners of the night. The night also witnessed breathtaking performances, fun collaborations, and some exciting pop culture moments.
The Weeknd
10 wins of 16 nods for R&B genius The Weeknd
It was a night to remember (after no Grammy nods) for The Weeknd at the Billboard Music Awards. Nominated for an impressive 16 awards, he ended up winning Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Male Artist, Top R&B Album, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Radio Song, and Top R&B Song.
Drake
Most with BBMAs: Drake won Artist of the Decade Award
Fellow Canadian artist, who has also been snubbed by Grammys on multiple occasions, Drake, took home the Top Streaming Songs Artist award. The global hitmaker also received the Artist of the Decade Award at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. Drake accepted the prestigious award alongside his 3-year-old son, Adonis. To note, he has received the most Billboard Music Awards ever, with 29 wins.
Twitter Post
Drake brings son Adonis to accept Artist of the Decade
ARTIST. OF. THE DECADE. 🏆 #DrakeDecade #BBMAs@Drake pic.twitter.com/fgMFt1OpIZ
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 24, 2021
Honors
Big honors for Taylor Swift, Pink and Trae Tha Truth
Exile singer Taylor Swift won the Top Female Artist and the Top Billboard 200 Artist award. Punk pop star Pink got the honorary Icon Award, previously awarded to the likes of Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and more. Rapper-activist Trae Tha Truth received the second annual Change Maker Award. "Another day, another blessing," he said, while accepting the award.
Pop Smoke
Four posthumous awards for rapper Pop Smoke
Late rapper and face of Brooklyn drill, Pop Smoke, won five Billboard Music Awards. To recall, the artist, whose real name is Bashar Barakah Jackson, was shot and killed during a home invasion last year. At the BBMAs, he won the Top New Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist, and Top Rap Album award (Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon).
BTS
BTS wins Top Social Artist fifth time in a row
BTS won their fifth consecutive award in the Top Social Artist category, where fans have a direct say. Justin Bieber still holds the record of most wins in this branch. The hit septet also won two more awards, including Top Duo/Group and Top Song Sales Artist. The global sensation also performed their peppy new single Butter from Seoul, South Korea at the award ceremony.
More awards
Bad Bunny swept Latin awards, DaBaby won 2/11 nods
Bad Bunny won Top Latin Artist, Top Latin Male Artist, Top Latin Album, Top Latin Song at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. DaBaby, who got 11 nominations, took home just two awards: Top Rap Song and Top Streaming Song for ROCKSTAR ft. Roddy Ricch. Rapper-rockstar Machine Gun Kelly won Top Rock Artist and Top Rock Album awards for his album Tickets to My Downfall.
More winners
Top Gospel Artist award went to Kanye West
Kanye West won the Top Gospel Artist and Top Gospel Song award for Wash Us In The Blood feat. Travis Scott. Carrie Underwood won the Top Christian Album award for My Gift. Lady Gaga won the Top Dance/Electronic Artist and Top Dance/Electronic album for Chromatica. Meanwhile, top Country singer Morgan Wallen, who wasn't permitted to attend the event, won three, including Top Country Album.