May 21, 2017
With 13 prizes (including Top Artist), hip-hop artist Drake was the top winner at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, which took place May 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. ABC had the U.S. telecast at 8 p.m. Eastern Time/5 p.m. Pacific Time. Drake now holds the record for the most Billboard Music Awards won in a single year. (Adele was the previous record holder, with 12 Billboard Music Awards.) Drake and the Chainsmokers went into the ceremony with 22 nominations each. The Chainsmokers ended up winning four Billboard Music Awards. Other multiple winners included Twenty-One Pilots and Beyoncé, whowon five awards each. Wizkid and Kyla received three awards each. Desiigner, Juan Gabriel and Kenny Chesney won two awards each.
According to a press release, the Billboard Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital songs sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the reporting period of March 18, 2016 through March 16, 2017. The Billboard Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions.
Rapper/actorLudacris and actress/singer Vanessa Hudgens hosted the show. Presenters included Kate Beckinsale, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Mark Cuban, Noah Cyrus, Alexandra Daddario, DJ Khaled, Josh Duhamel, Ansel Elgort, Sara Foster, G-Eazy, Kevin Hart, Ed Helms, Prince Michael Jackson, Rachel Lindsay, Lea Michele, Olivia Munn, Rita Ora, Logan Paul, Rachel Platten, Bebe Rexha, Nicole Scherzinger, Miss America 2017 Savvy Shields, Jussie Smollett, Hailee Steinfeld, Lindsey Stirling, and Ashley Tisdale.
Performers included Camila Cabello, the Chainsmokers, Miley Cyrus, jason Derulo, Celine Dion, Drake, Florida Georgia Line, David Guetta Halsey, Sam Hunt, Imagine Dragons, John Legend, lil Wayne, Lorde, Bruno Mars, Julia Michaels, Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran and 2017 Billboard Music Awards ICON Award recipient Cher.
During her acceptance speech, Cher thanked several people. particularly her mother: “When I was young, my mom said, ‘You’re not going to be the smartest, you’re not going to be the prettiest, you’re not going to be the most talent, but you’re going to be special.”
Here is an excerpt from a Billboard Music Awards press release:
The show was filled with iconic moments, with performances and celebrations for every generation. Fresh artists like Julia Michaels and Camila Cabello won over fans with performances of their new singles, as did the legends. Giving her first award show performance in 15 years, Cher had the audience on their feet, delivering electrifying renditions of her classic hits “Believe” and “If I Could Turn Back Time.” She graciously accepted the ICON Award, presented to her by Gwen Stefani, and gave a powerful speech about her unparalleled career and how she has been able to live out her childhood dream for the past fifty-three years. Cher told the audience, “I have wanted to do what I do since I was 4 years old, and I’ve been doing this for 53 years.” Last year’s ICON Award recipient, Celine Dion, sparkled beneath an elaborate chandelier, belting out her hit single “My Heart Will Go On,” in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Titanic.
Making a very special appearance, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Biggie’s son, Christopher Wallace, on what would have been the 45th birthday of Notorious B.I.G., introduced a clip of the 1997 Billboard Music Awards when Diddy presented Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace, with the “Best R&B Album” trophy won by her late son. Following the clip, Diddy unveiled a never-before-seen trailer for his new Apple Music documentary “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story.”
Nicki Minaj, having recently just broken Aretha Franklin’s record for female artist with the most Billboard Hot 100 Hits, opened the show with an explosive 10-minute performance and was joined on stage by Lil Wayne, David Guetta, and Jason Derulo as she performed a medley of “No Frauds,” “Light My Body Up,” Swalla,” and “Regret In Your Tears.” Later in the evening, against a peaceful ocean background, Miley Cyrus performed her popular new single “Malibu” for the first time to a worldwide television audience.
Perhaps the most unique performance came from the evening’s biggest winner, Drake, who performed live from the middle of the Bellagio fountains, surrounded by the world-famous water displays and equally powerful pyrotechnics. Audiences in the arena, and on the Vegas strip, were mesmerized as he navigated the scene while rapping “Gyalchester” off his new album “More Life.”
Lorde’s intimate rendition of “Green Light” had the crowd dancing and singing along, while Halsey’s “Now or Never” performance was filled with both flower and fire power. Ed Sheeran delivered a heartfelt rendition of his new song “Castle on the Hill” from a sold-out performance in Santiago, Chile.
Imagine Dragons delivered touching remarks in memory of the late Soundgarden and Audioslave Frontman Chris Cornell, before giving a powerful performance of their new song, “Believer.” Fellow rock artists, and multi-nominees, The Chainsmokers also took to the stage to perform their hit “Young.”
Country music was also well represented throughout the evening, with Sam Hunt giving a stunning performance of “Body Like a Back Road” and Florida Georgia Line being joined by John Legend for a unique melding of their songs “Surefire” and “H.O.L.Y.”
The final performance of the evening came from Bruno Mars, who gave a sultry delivery of his single “Versace on the Floor” from the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam.
Here is the complete list of nominees and winners of the 2017 Billboard Music Awards:
Top Artist:
Adele
Beyoncé
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake***
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top New Artist:
Alessia Cara
Desiigner
Lil Uzi Vert
Lukas Graham
Zayn***
Billboard Chart Achievement Award Presented by Xfinity (Fan Voted Category):
Luke Bryan
The Chainsmokers
Nicki Minaj
Twenty One Pilots***
The Weeknd
Top Male Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake***
Future
Shawn Mendes
The Weeknd
Top Female Artist:
Adele
Beyoncé***
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Sia
Top Duo/Group:
The Chainsmokers
Coldplay
Florida Georgia Line
Guns N’ Roses
Twenty One Pilots***
Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Beyoncé
Drake***
Prince
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top Hot 100 Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Drake***
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top Song Sales Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Drake***
Prince
Justin Timberlake
Twenty One Pilots
Top Radio Songs Artist:
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots***
Top Streaming Songs Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Desiigner
Drake***
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
Top Social Artist (Fan Voted Category):
Justin Bieber
BTS***
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes
Top Touring Artist:
Justin Bieber
Beyoncé***
Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Top R&B Artist:
Beyoncé***
Bruno Mars
Frank Ocean
Rihanna
The Weeknd
Top R&B Tour:
Beyoncé***
Lionel Richie
Rihanna
Top Rap Artist:
J. Cole
Desiigner
Drake***
Future
Rae Sremmurd
Top Rap Tour:
Drake***
Future
Kanye West
Top Country Artist:
Florida Georgia Line
Blake Shelton***
Keith Urban
Chris Stapleton
Jason Aldean
Top Country Tour:
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney***
Dixie Chicks
Top Rock Artist:
Coldplay
The Lumineers
Metallica
Twenty One Pilots***
X Ambassadors
Top Rock Tour:
Coldplay***
Guns N’ Roses
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Top Latin Artist:
J Balvin
Juan Gabriel***
Los Plebes Del Rancho De Ariel Camacho
Maluma
Nicky Jam
Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
The Chainsmokers***
Calvin Harris
Major Lazer
DJ Snake
Lindsey Stirling
Top Christian Artist:
Lauren Daigle***
Hillsong Worship
Hillary Scott & The Scott Family
Skillet
Chris Tomlin
Top Gospel Artist:
Jekalyn Carr
Kirk Franklin***
Travis Greene
Tamela Mann
Hezekiah Walker
ALBUM AWARDS
Top Billboard 200 Album:
Beyoncé “Lemonade”
Drake “Views”***
Rihanna “Anti”
Twenty One Pilots “Blurryface”
The Weeknd “Starboy”
Top Soundtrack/Cast Album:
“Hamilton: An American Musical”***
“Moana”
“Purple Rain”
“Suicide Squad: The Album”
“Trolls”
Top R&B Album:
Beyoncé “Lemonade”***
Bruno Mars “24K Magic”
Frank Ocean “Blonde”
Rihanna “Anti”
The Weeknd “Starboy”
Top Rap Album:
J. Cole “4 Your Eyez Only”
Drake “Views”***
Kevin Gates “Islah”
DJ Khaled “Major Key”
A Tribe Called Quest “We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service”
Top Country Album:
Jason Aldean “They Don’t Know”
Florida Georgia Line “Dig Your Roots”
Blake Shelton “If I’m Honest”
Chris Stapleton “Traveller”***
Keith Urban “Ripcord”
Top Rock Album:
The Lumineers “Cleopatra”
Metallica “Hardwired…To Self-Destruct”***
Radiohead “A Moon Shaped Pool”
Red Hot Chili Peppers “The Getaway”
Twenty One Pilots “Blurryface”
Top Latin Album:
J Balvin “Energia”
CNCO “Primera Cita”
Juan Gabriel “Los Dúo 2”***
Juan Gabriel “Vestido De Etiqueta: Por Eduardo Magallanes”
Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho “Recuerden Mi Estilo”
Top Dance/Electronic Album:
The Chainsmokers “Bouquet (EP)”
The Chainsmokers “Collage (EP)”
Flume “Skin”
Kygo “Cloud Nine”
Lindsey Stirling “Brave Enough”***
Top Christian Album:
Casting Crowns “The Very Next Thing”
Lauren Daigle “How Can It Be”***
Joey + Rory “Hymns”
Hillary Scott & The Scott Family “Love Remains”
Skillet “Unleashed”
Top Gospel Album:
Tamela Mann “One Way”***
Kirk Franklin “Losing My Religion”
Travis Greene “The Hill”
Tasha Cobbs “One Place: Live”
Hezekiah Walker “Better: Azusa – The Next Generation 2”
SONG AWARDS
Top Hot 100 Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”***
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”
Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”
Twenty One Pilots “Heathens”
Top Selling Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”
Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”***
Twenty One Pilots “Heathens”
Top Radio Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”
Sia Featuring Sean Paul “Cheap Thrills”
Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”***
Top Streaming Song (Audio):
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”***
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty “Broccoli”
Rihanna “Needed Me”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
Top Streaming Song (Video):
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
Desiigner “Panda”***
Zay Hilfigerrr & Zayion McCall “JuJu On That Beat (TZ Anthem)”
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane “Black Beatles”
Twenty One Pilots “Heathens”
Top Collaboration:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”***
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”
Sia Featuring Sean Paul “Cheap Thrills”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
Top R&B Song:
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”***
Bruno Mars “24K Magic”
Rihanna “Needed Me”
Rihanna Featuring Drake “Work”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
Top R&B Collaboration:
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”***
PARTYNEXTDOOR Featuring Drake “Come And See Me”
Rihanna Featuring Drake “Work”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “I Feel It Coming”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
Top Rap Song:
Desiigner “Panda”***
Drake “Fake Love”
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty “Broccoli”
Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert “Bad And Boujee”
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane “Black Beatles”
Top Rap Collaboration:
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty “Broccoli”
Zay Hilfigerrr & Zayion McCall “JuJu On That Beat (TZ Anthem)”
Machine Gun Kelly & Camila Cabello “Bad Things”
Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert “Bad and Boujee”
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane “Black Beatles”***
Top Country Song:
Kenny Chesney Featuring P!NK “Setting The World On Fire”
Florida Georgia Line “H.O.L.Y.”***
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw “May We All”
Little Big Town “Better Man”
Keith Urban “Blue Ain’t Your Color”
Top Country Collaboration:
Dierks Bentley Featuring Elle King “Different For Girls”
Kenny Chesney Featuring P!NK “Setting The World On Fire”**
Eric Church Featuring Rhiannon Giddens “Kill A Word”
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw “May We All”
Chris Young Featuring Vince Gill “Sober Saturday Night”
Top Rock Song:
Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa & Imagine Dragons with Logic & Ty Dolla $ign Feat. X Ambassadors “Sucker For Pain”
Twenty One Pilots “Heathens”***
Twenty One Pilots “Ride”
Twenty One Pilots “Stressed Out”
X Ambassadors “Unsteady”
Top Latin Song:
Daddy Yankee “Shaky Shaky”
Enrique Iglesias Featuring Wisin “Duele El Corazon”
Nicky Jam “Hasta El Amanecer”***
Shakira Featuring Maluma “Chantaje”
Carlos Vives & Shakira “La Bicicleta”
Top Dance/Electronic Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”***
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Calvin Harris Featuring Rihanna “This Is What You Came For”
Major Lazer Featuring Justin Bieber & MØ “Cold Water”
DJ Snake Featuring Justin Bieber “Let Me Love You”
Top Christian Song:
Lauren Daigle “Trust In You”
Hillary Scott & The Scott Family “Thy Will”***
Skillet “Feel Invincible”
Ryan Stevenson Featuring GabeReal “Eye Of The Storm”
Zach Williams “Chain Breaker”
Top Gospel Song:
Jekalyn Carr “You’re Bigger”
Tasha Cobbs Featuring Kierra Sheard “Put A Praise On It”
Kirk Franklin “Wanna Be Happy?”
Travis Greene “Made A Way”***
Hezekiah Walker “Better”
2017 Billboard Music Awards Photo Highlights
Vanessa Hudgens Fashion at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards
Co-host Vanessa Hudgens changed her outfits several times during the show. Here’s a roundup of her different looks.
