Canadian singer, The Weeknd has emerged at the biggest winner at 2021 Billboard Music Awards at Microsoft Theatre on Sunday evening with a epic 10 wins and the final award of the night for Top Artist.
Since 1990, Billboard, a publication covering the music business and popularity chart, has been giving out awards annually.
The finalists are based on album and digital songs sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring, and social engagement. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners.
The ceremony was being hosted by injured Nick Jonas, who was making his debut at the helm. He was nominated for the top award alongside late rappers Juice WRLD, Pop Smoke, Drake and Taylor Swift.
The 28-year-old singer and actor was soldiering through his hosting job despite recently injury his ribs while filming a new stunt-based show for NBC, which is also broadcasting the Billboard Awards.
Producer DJ Khaled opened the show with singer-songwriter H.E.R. and rap group Migos, performing their collaboration We Going Crazy.
Doja Cat and SZA were also among the early performers with their song Kiss Me More.
Pop Smoke won five awards including top new artist while BTS, K-pop band, and Bad Bunny earned four apiece.
Drake, who holds the title for most Billboard Music Award wins of all time, received the Artist of the Decade Award, while Pink was honoured with the icon award.
It was a triumphant win for The Weeknd, who had recently been snubbed by the Grammy Awards after his album ‘After Hours’ didn’t receive a single nomination.
Since that kerfuffle, he’s decided to boycott the ceremony, and even after Grammys eliminated some of its secret committees that determine the nominees he kept up his boycott.
Read Also: Grammys Scrap Controversial ‘Secret’ Nomination Committees Following Criticism, Rigging Allegations
The Weeknd is now in fifth place on the all-time BBMA winners list, behind Drake (29), Taylor Swift (25), Justin Bieber (21) and Garth Brooks (20).
Receiving his award, the artist said;
What a night it’s been. I want to take this opportunity to thank my parents. I love you guys so much. I am the man I am today because of you, so thank you, and thank you to my fans, of course. I do not take this for granted.
American actor, Lil Rel Howery presented the first award of the night for Top Hot 100 Artist, which also went to The Weeknd.
Meanwhile, the “Starboy” singer shocked many fans after he stepped out at 2021 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday rocking a black suit – the first one he has worn on a red carpet in more than a year.
The 31-year-old superstar has since January 2020 been rocking a sparkling red suit and bandage on his face to every appearance.
The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, the. joked that he was happy to be done wearing the red suit he’s worn in almost all of his music videos and performances in the wake of After Hours.
Meanwhile, BTS was the next winner of the night for Top Selling Song with its hit single Dynamite.
The K-pop group were featured virtually from Seoul and accepted their award saying;
Thank you for the top-selling song award, which is amazing and huge it’s really an honor to be the winner of such a significant title. We want to share some fresh energy with everyone through Dynamite. We think with this award, we achieved that goal.
Top Country Female Artist went to Gabby Barrett, who had already won Top Country Song for her single I Hope and was clearly emotional.
Alicia Keys put on a show-stopping performance with a medley from her debut album, Songs In A Minor.
Also, Master Of None star, Lena Waithe presenting the award for Top Latin Artist to Bad Bunny, who had already won several trophies.
Up next, Drake was honored with the prestigious Artist of the Decade Award with his friends and family presenting.
Once he came out on stage, Drake brought a surprise guest: his son Adonis, three.
After admitting that the video was full of braggadocio, he thanked his ‘beautiful family‘ and held his son aloft.
‘I want to dedicate this award to you,’ he said as Adonis started crying from all the attention. Drake gave him a quick kiss before they shuffled off the stage.
See full list of winners below:
Top Artist
Drake
Juice WRLD
Pop Smoke
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd — WINNER
Top New Artist
Gabby Barrett
Doja Cat
Jack Harlow
Pop Smoke — WINNER
Rod Wave
Top Male Artist
Drake
Juice WRLD
Lil Baby
Pop Smoke
The Weeknd — WINNER
Top Female Artist
Billie Eilish
Ariana Grande
Dua Lipa
Megan Thee Stallion
Taylor Swift — WINNER
Top Duo/Group
AC/DC
AJR
BTS — WINNER
Dan + Shay
Maroon 5
Drake
Juice WRLD
Pop Smoke
Post Malone
Taylor Swift — WINNER
Top Hot 100 Artist
DaBaby
Drake
Dua Lipa
Pop Smoke
The Weeknd — WINNER
Top Streaming Songs Artist
DaBaby
Drake — WINNER
Lil Baby
Pop Smoke
The Weeknd
Top Song Sales Artist
Justin Bieber
BTS — WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion
Morgan Wallen
The Weeknd
Top Radio Songs Artist
Justin Bieber
Lewis Capaldi
Dua Lipa
Harry Styles
The Weeknd — WINNER
Top Social Artist (Fan Voted)
BLACKPINK
BTS — WINNER
Ariana Grande
SB19
Seventeen
Top R&B Artist
Jhené Aiko
Justin Bieber
Chris Brown
Doja Cat
The Weeknd — WINNER
Top R&B Male Artist
Justin Bieber
Chris Brown
The Weeknd — WINNER
Top R&B Female Artist
Jhené Aiko
Doja Cat — WINNER
SZA
Top Rap Artist
DaBaby
Drake
Juice WRLD
Lil Baby
Pop Smoke — WINNER
Top Rap Male Artist
Juice WRLD
Lil Baby
Pop Smoke — WINNER
Top Rap Female Artist
Cardi B
Megan Thee Stallion — WINNER
Saweetie
Top Country Artist
Gabby Barrett
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen — WINNER
Top Country Male Artist
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen — WINNER
Top Country Female Artist
Gabby Barrett — WINNER
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood
Top Country Duo/Group
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line — WINNER
Maddie & Tae
Top Rock Artist
AC/DC
AJR
Five Finger Death Punch
Machine Gun Kelly — WINNER
twenty one pilots
Top Latin Artist
Anuel AA
Bad Bunny — WINNER
J Balvin
Maluma
Ozuna
Top Latin Male Artist
Bad Bunny — WINNER
J Balvin
Ozuna
Top Latin Female Artist
Becky G
Karol G — WINNER
Rosalía
Top Latin Duo/Group
Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
Eslabón Armado — WINNER
Los Dos Carnales
Top Dance/Electronic Artist
The Chainsmokers
Kygo
Lady Gaga — WINNER
Marshmello
Surf Mesa
Top Christian Artist
Casting Crowns
Elevation Worship — WINNER
for KING & COUNTRY
Carrie Underwood
Zach Williams
Top Gospel Artist
Kirk Franklin
Koryn Hawthorne
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Maverick City Music
Kanye West — WINNER
Top Billboard 200 Album
Juice WRLD, Legends Never Die
Lil Baby, My Turn
Pop Smoke, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon — WINNER
Taylor Swift, folklore
The Weeknd, After Hours
Top R&B Album
Jhené Aiko, Chilombo
Chris Brown & Young Thug, Slime & B
Doja Cat, Hot Pink
Kehlani, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t
The Weeknd, After Hours — WINNER
Top Rap Album
DaBaby, Blame It On Baby
Juice WRLD, Legends Never Die
Lil Baby, My Turn
Lil Uzi Vert, Eternal Atake
Pop Smoke, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon — WINNER
Top Country Album
Gabby Barrett, Goldmine
Sam Hunt, Southside
Chris Stapleton, Starting Over
Carrie Underwood, My Gift
Morgan Wallen, Dangerous: The Double Album — WINNER
Top Rock Album
AC/DC, Power Up
Miley Cyrus, Plastic Hearts
Glass Animals, Dreamland
Machine Gun Kelly, Tickets to My Downfall — WINNER
Bruce Springsteen, Letter to You
Top Latin Album
Anuel AA, Emmanuel
Bad Bunny, El Último Tour Del Mundo
Bad Bunny, Las que no iban a salir
Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG — WINNER
J Balvin, Colores
Top Dance/Electronic Album
DJ Snake, Carte Blanche
Gryffin, Gravity
Kygo, Golden Hour
Lady Gaga, Chromatica — WINNER
Kylie Minogue, Disco
Top Christian Album
Bethel Music, Peace
Elevation Worship, Grave Into Gardens
Carrie Underwood, My Gift — WINNER
We The Kingdom, Holy Water
Zach Williams, Rescue Story
Top Gospel Album
Koryn Hawthorne, I AM
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Royalty: Live at the Ryman
Maverick City Music, Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 1 — WINNER
Maverick City Music, Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 2
Kierra Sheard, Kierra
Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar
24kGoldn ft. iann dior, “Mood”
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth, “I Hope”
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “ROCKSTAR”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights” — WINNER
Top Streaming Song
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “ROCKSTAR” — WINNER
Future ft. Drake, “Life Is Good”
Jack Harlow ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez, & Lil Wayne, “WHATS POPPIN”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”
Top Selling Song
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth, “I Hope”
BTS, “Dynamite” — WINNER
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé, “Savage”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”
Top Radio Song
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth, “I Hope”
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now”
Harry Styles, “Adore You”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights” — WINNER
Top Collaboration (Fan Voted)
24kGoldn ft. iann dior, “Mood”
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth, “I Hope” — WINNER
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “ROCKSTAR”
Jack Harlow ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez, & Lil Wayne, “WHATS POPPIN”
Top R&B Song
Jhené Aiko ft. H.E.R., “B.S.”
Justin Bieber ft. Quavo, “Intentions”
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
Doja Cat, “Say So”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights” — WINNER
Top Rap Song
24kGoldn ft. iann dior, “Mood”
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “ROCKSTAR” — WINNER
Jack Harlow ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez, & Lil Wayne, “WHATS POPPIN”
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé, “Savage”
Top Country Song
Jason Aldean, “Got What I Got”
Gabby Barrett, “I Hope” — WINNER
Lee Brice, “One of Them Girls”
Morgan Wallen, “Chasin’ You”
Morgan Wallen, “More Than My Hometown”
Top Rock Song
AJR, “Bang!” — WINNER
All Time Low ft. blackbear, “Monsters”
Glass Animals, “Heat Waves”
Machine Gun Kelly ft. blackbear, “my ex’s best friend”
twenty one pilots, “Level of Concern”
Top Latin Song
Bad Bunny, “Yo Perreo Sola”
Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “Dákiti” — WINNER
Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin, “RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)”
Maluma & The Weeknd, “Hawái”
Ozuna x Karol G x Myke Towers, “Caramelo”
Top Dance/Electronic Song
Lady Gaga, “Stupid Love”
Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande, “Rain on Me”
SAINt JHN, “Roses (Imanbek Remix)” — WINNER
Surf Mesa ft. Emilee, “ily (i love you baby)”
Topic & A7S, “Breaking Me”
Top Christian Song
Elevation Worship ft. Brandon Lake, “Graves Into Gardens” — WINNER
for KING & COUNTRY, Kirk Franklin & Tori Kelly, “TOGETHER”
Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, & Elevation Worship, “The Blessing (Live)”
Tauren Wells ft. Jenn Johnson, “Famous For (I Believe)”
Zach Williams & Dolly Parton, “There Was Jesus”
Top Gospel Song
Koryn Hawthorne, “Speak To Me”
Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music, “Movin’ On”
Marvin Sapp, “Thank You For It All”
Tye Tribbett, “We Gon’ Be Alright”
Kanye West ft. Travis Scott, “Wash Us In The Blood” — WINNER
