D’Mile and Bruno Mars at 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 26, 2022. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for BET)
The following is a press release from BET:
BET honored Black excellence in music, television, film, and sports across more than 20 categories at the “BET Awards” 2022. Hosted by Academy Award®-nominated and Golden Globe®-winning actor, writer, director, producer, and philanthropist Taraji P. Henson, the iconic show aired live at 8 pm ET/ PT on BET live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 26, 2022. Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak), Jazmine Sullivan, Kirk Franklin and Tems take top honors. An array of artists delivered unforgettable and sensational surprise performances, including Latto with Mariah Carey, Jack Harlow with Brandy, and Lil Wayne. Many artists also spoke out about the repeal of Roe v Wade and gun control. The night also included a star-studded tribute to Sean “Diddy” Combs who was honored with the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, making the show once again the #1 trending topic on Twitter.
The “BET Awards” 2022 celebrated the very best in entertainment and culture with performances and appearances by an inspiring lineup of artists, entertainers and cultural icons. The “BET Awards,” which has become synonymous with powerful Black artistry and social commentary, continued to spotlight and celebrate the artists and creators of tomorrow, making the ceremony one of the most news-provoking and talked-about broadcasts year after year.
The “BET AWARDS” 2022 Show Highlights Include:
Lizzo opened the show with a stunning high-energy performance of “About Damn Time” from her forthcoming album Special.
Best New Artist winner Latto delivered show-stopping performances of “It’s Givin” and “Big Energy Remix,” with a dazzling appearance by Mariah Carey singing “Sweet Fantasy.”
Jack Harlow, DJ Drama and Lil Wayne hit the stage to perform their hit “Poison”– and later shocked the crowd with a surprise appearance by Brandy to perform her “First Class” freestyle.
Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music took the stage for an uplifting gospel performance of “Kingdom” and “Melodies From Heaven.” Later in the evening, Lil Baby and Kirk Franklin won this year’s Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award. During his acceptance speech, Kirk Franklin graced the award and passed the baton to collaborator Maverick City Music as the “next generation of gospel music.”
Billy Porter brought ballroom dance culture to the main stage with a spirited dance performance featuring Dominique Jackson, Shaun Ross, Chacha Balenciaga, Shannon Balenciaga and more.
Chance the Rapper shared the stage with Joey Bada$$ for their debut performance of “The Highs & The Lows.”
Muni Long serenaded the crowd with soulful performances of “Time Machine” and “Hrs & Hrs.”
Doechii delivered a “wig-snatching” performance of her hits “Persuasive” and “Crazy.”
Fireboy DML graced the “BET Awards” stage with the very first live Afrobeats performance of “Peru.”
Ella Mai was joined by Babyface and Roddy Ricch for unforgettable performances of “DMFU,” “Keeps on Fallin,’” and “How.”
Luke Lawal Jr. was honored with the ‘Shine a Light Award’ sponsored by Walmart for his selfless efforts to give back to his community through his many ventures, including HBCU Buzz.
Diddy was honored with this year’s Lifetime Achievement BET Award, in recognition of his prolific career over the past three decades, in which he remained one of the most successful entrepreneurs and cultural icons of all time. Following a nostalgia-filled tribute from Jodeci, performing “Come & Talk to Me,” and Mary J. Blige, performing “I’m Going Down” he performed a medley of Bad Boy Records hits with an all-star line-up including Shyne, Lil Kim, Bryson Tiller, Faith Evans and Maverick City Music. After being introduced by Babyface and Kanye West, Diddy received a standing ovation as he accepted the well-deserved award. In his speech, Diddy announced he will be donating $1 million to Howard University, and an additional $1 million to Deion Sanders and Jackson State University.
Marsai Martin was awarded the Youngstar Award, given to those who have made an impact in the world of television, film, music, or sports. This was Martin’s third win in the category.
Chlöe delivered a sultry performance of her hits, including “Surprise,” “Have Mercy” and Treat Me.”
GIVĒON closed out the performances for the night with a crooning of “Heartbreak Anniversary,” “For Tonight” and “Lie Again.”
During the award show’s ‘In Memoriam,’ host Taraji P. Henson and the “BET Awards” took a moment to honor the countless lives lost due to senseless gun violence. The recent overturning of Roe v. Wade was an important topic of conversation throughout the night, with voices like Taraji, Latto and the cast of Tyler Perry’s Sistas encouraging the audience to fight for their freedoms and to get out and vote.
Connie Orlando, BET’s Executive Vice President, Specials, Music Programming, Music Strategy, and News oversaw the annual show, along with Jamal Noisette, VP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, who will serve as Co-Executive Producer for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay serving as Executive Producers.
The “BET Awards” 2022 was simulcast live on BET, BET Her, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Pop, TV Land, and VH1. Internationally, the show simulcast on BET Africa, BET France and will be available to watch on My5 and Sky On-Demand in the UK, as well as BET Pluto in the UK and Brazil.
Relive the “BET AWARDS” 2022 digital red carpet via the live stream powered by Bulldog DM, available now at https://twitter.com/betawards.
For more information on the “BET Awards” 2022, please visit BET.com/bet-awards.
The complete list of nominees and winners for the “BET AWARDS” 2022 are:
*=winner
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
ARI LENNOX
CHLÖE
DOJA CAT
H.E.R.
JAZMINE SULLIVAN*
MARY J. BLIGE
SUMMER WALKER
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
BLXST
CHRIS BROWN
GIVĒON
LUCKY DAYE
THE WEEKND*
WIZKID
BLEU
Best Group
SILK SONIC*
CHLÖE X HALLE
CITY GIRLS
LIL BABY & LIL DURK
MIGOS
YOUNG DOLPH & KEY GLOCK
Best Collaboration
ESSENCE WIZKID FEAT. JUSTIN BIEBER & TEMS*
EVERY CHANCE I GET DJ KHALED FEAT. LIL BABY & LIL DURK
FAMILY TIES BABY KEEM & KENDRICK LAMAR
KISS ME MORE DOJA CAT FEAT. SZA
WAY 2 SEXY DRAKE FEAT. FUTURE & YOUNG THUG
WHOLE LOTTA MONEY (REMIX) BIA FEAT. NICKI MINAJ
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
CARDI B
DOJA CAT
LATTO
MEGAN THEE STALLION*
NICKI MINAJ
SAWEETIE
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
DRAKE
FUTURE
J. COLE
JACK HARLOW
KANYE WEST
KENDRICK LAMAR*
LIL BABY
Video of the Year
FAMILY TIES BABY KEEM & KENDRICK LAMAR*
HAVE MERCY CHLÖE
KISS ME MORE DOJA CAT FEAT. SZA
PRESSURE ARI LENNOX
SMOKIN OUT THE WINDOW BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC
WAY 2 SEXY DRAKE FEAT. FUTURE & YOUNG THUG
Video Director of the Year
ANDERSON .PAAK A.K.A. DIRECTOR .PAAK*
BENNY BOOM
BEYONCÉ & DIKAYL RIMMASCH
DIRECTOR X
HYPE WILLIAMS
MISSY ELLIOTT
Best New Artist
BABY KEEM
BENNY THE BUTCHER
LATTO*
MUNI LONG
TEMS
BLEU
Album of the Year
AN EVENING WITH SILK SONIC SILK SONIC*
BACK OF MY MIND H.E.R.
CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST TYLER, THE CREATOR
CERTIFIED LOVER BOY DRAKE
DONDA KANYE WEST
HEAUX TALES, MO’ TALES: THE DELUXE JAZMINE SULLIVAN
PLANET HER DOJA CAT
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
ALL IN YOUR HANDS MARVIN SAPP
COME TO LIFE KANYE WEST
GRACE KELLY PRICE
HALLELUJAH FRED HAMMOND
HOLD US TOGETHER (HOPE MIX) H.E.R. & TAUREN WELLS
JIREH ELEVATION WORSHIP & MAVERICK CITY MUSIC
WE WIN LIL BABY X KIRK FRANKLIN*
BET Her
BEST OF ME (ORIGINALS) ALICIA KEYS
GOOD MORNING GORGEOUS MARY J. BLIGE*
HAVE MERCY CHLÖE
PRESSURE ARI LENNOX
ROSTER JAZMINE SULLIVAN
UNLOYAL SUMMER WALKER & ARI LENNOX
WOMAN DOJA CAT
Best International Act
DAVE (UK)
DINOS (FRANCE)
FALLY IPUPA (DRC)
FIREBOY DML (NIGERIA)
LITTLE SIMZ (UK)
LUDMILLA (BRAZIL)
MAJOR LEAGUE DJZ (SOUTH AFRICA)
TAYC (FRANCE)
TEMS (NIGERIA)*
Best Movie
CANDYMAN
KING RICHARD*
RESPECT
SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY
SUMMER OF SOUL
THE HARDER THEY FALL
Best Actor
ADRIAN HOLMES BEL AIR
ANTHONY ANDERSON BLACK-ISH
DAMSON IDRIS SNOWFALL
DENZEL WASHINGTON THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
FOREST WHITAKER RESPECT | GODFATHER OF HARLEM
JABARI BANKS BEL AIR
STERLING K. BROWN THIS IS US
WILL SMITH KING RICHARD*
Best Actress
AUNJANUE ELLIS KING RICHARD
COCO JONES BEL AIR
ISSA RAE INSECURE
JENNIFER HUDSON RESPECT
MARY J. BLIGE POWER BOOK II: GHOST
QUEEN LATIFAH THE EQUALIZER
QUINTA BRUNSON ABBOTT ELEMENTARY
REGINA KING THE HARDER THEY FALL
ZENDAYA EUPHORIA | SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME*
YoungStars Award
AKIRA AKBAR
DEMI SINGLETON
MARSAI MARTIN*
MILES BROWN
SANIYYA SIDNEY
Sportswoman of the Year Award
BRITTNEY GRINER
CANDACE PARKER
NAOMI OSAKA*
SERENA WILLIAMS
SHA’CARRI RICHARDSON
SIMONE BILES
Sportsman of the Year Award
AARON DONALD
BUBBA WALLACE
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO
JA MORANT
LEBRON JAMES
STEPHEN CURRY*
ABOUT BET:
BET, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA; PARAP), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African American audience. The primary BET channel is in 125 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience; BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks – BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, a growing BET festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.
ABOUT “BET AWARDS”
“BET Awards” is one of the most-watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The “BET Awards” franchise remains the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is the #1 telecast for BET every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.
ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT
Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full-service television and film production company and has played an integral role in producing many of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. JCE has a multi-year overall agreement with ViacomCBS Cable Networks. On the theatrical film side, the company also has a first look on JCE’s film development projects which could include Viacom’s film entities such as Paramount Players. The award-winning and critically acclaimed television that JCE has produced includes miniseries—The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story; scripted series—American Soul and Real Husbands of Hollywood; children’s series—Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices; award shows—BET Awards, Black Girls Rock!, BET Honors, UNCF’s An Evening of Stars, BET Hip Hop Awards, ABFF Honors and Soul Train Awards; specials—John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero, Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration, Change Together: From The March On Washington To Today, Stand Up for Heroes, Dear Mama, Amanda Seales I Be Knowin’, Def Comedy Jam 25 and Leslie Jones: Time Machine; as well as competition/game shows—Sunday Best, Hip Hop Squares, Nashville Squares and Rhythm & Flow. Jesse Collins, founder and CEO of the company, is the executive producer of all programming. He is also a co-executive producer for the iconic GRAMMY® Awards. Most recently, he was executive producer of The 2021 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show and produced The 2021 Academy Awards®. Go to jessecollinsent.com for more information on the company.
BTS at the 2021 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on November 21, 2021. (Photo courtesy of ABC)
With three prizes each, BTS, Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion were the top winners at the 2021 American Music Awards, which were presented November 21 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Cardi B was the host of the ceremony. ABC had the U.S. telecast of the show. The American Music Awards are voted for online by fans.
BTS won the American Music Awards for Artist of the Year; Favorite Pop Song (for “Butter”); and Favorite Pop Duo or Group. Doja Cat received the prizes for Collaboration of the Year (for her “Kiss Me More” duet with SZA); Favorite R&B Album (for “Planet Her”); and Favorite Female R&B Artist. Megan Thee Stallion won the awards for Favorite Trending Song (“for Body”); Favorite Hip-Hop Album (for “Good News”); and Favorite Female Hip-Hop Artist.
Several artists won two awards each, such as Olivio Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Cardi B, Carrie Underwood and Gabby Barrett. (See the complete list of winners at the end of the article.) Rodrigo went into the ceremony with the most nomnations (seven), followed by The Weeknd with six nods. The Weeknd ended up winning the award for Favorite Male R&B Artist. New categories this year were Favorite Trending Song (with nominees from TikTok on the year’s most viral songs); Favorite Gospel Artist; and Favorite Latin Duo or Group.
According to a press release from ABC: “Nominees are based on key fan interactions—as reflected on the Billboard charts—including streaming, album sales, song sales and radio airplay. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partner MRC Data, and cover the time period September 25, 2020, through September 23, 2021.” The 2021 American Music Awards ceremony was produced by MRC Live & Alternative and Jesse Collins Entertainment.
The following is from an ABC press release:
Show performance highlights included:
Multiple Grammy Award winners Bruno Mars and Anderson.Paak, who just dropped their debut album as Silk Sonic, kicked off the night with an energetic opening performance of their recently released hit “Smokin Out The Window.”
It was a night of AMA debut performances, with Olivia Rodrigo taking the stage for a powerful performance of “Traitor,” the fourth single from her record-smashing album, “Sour.”
Pop megastars BTS joined legendary British band Coldplay for the world television premiere performance of “My Universe.”
Tyler, The Creator performed “Massa” off his sixth studio album, “Call Me If You Get Lost.”
This year’s new “My Hometown” segments included spectacular performances byCarrie Underwood and Jason Aldean and an epic “Battle of Boston” as iconic boy bands New Edition and New Kids On The Block shared the stage together for the very first time and had everyone on their feet.
Italian rock band and first-time AMA nominee Måneskin made their U.S. awards show debut when they performed their global No. 1 hit “Beggin.’”
Three-time AMA winner Jennifer Lopez delivered a magical performance of her newly released song “On My Way” from the soundtrack of her upcoming film “Marry Me.”
Country music star Mickey Guyton wowed audiences with her performance of her newest single “All American.”
Chlöemade her AMA performance debut from the Xfinity Stage with her debut single, “Have Mercy.”
Walker Hayes marked his AMAs debut with a fun performance of his viral song “Fancy Like.”
This year’s “AMA Song of the Soul” segment honored German singer/songwriter Zoe Wees for her powerhouse performance of “Girls Like Us.”
Five-time AMA winner Kane Brown performed his hit “One Mississippi” at Tennessee State University (TSU), a notable HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Brown also gave fans a look into his Tennessee and Georgia roots leading into his performance.
Diplo took on a special role and served as the first-ever AMAs musical curator, DJing his iconic tunes throughout the night.
Winner Highlights of the “2020 American Music Awards”:
Tonight, BTS made history at the AMAs as the first Asian group to win in the Artist of the Year category and won Favorite Pop Duo or Group and Favorite Pop Song for their record-breaking hit “Butter.” The group now has nine AMAs.
Now 34-time AMA winner Taylor Swift took home the awards for Favorite Female Pop Artist and Favorite Pop Album for her No. 1 album “Evermore.”
Following her breathtaking debut performance on the AMAs stage, Olivia Rodrigo won her first-ever AMA with New Artist of the Year.
Bad Bunnywas named Favorite Male Latin Artist at this year’s AMAs and won Favorite Latin Album for “EL ÚLTIMO TOUR DEL MUNDO.”
Kali Uchis, now first-time AMA winner, won Favorite Latin Song with her hit single “telepatía.”
Presenters included Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Anthony Ramos, Billy Porter, Brandy, JB Smoove, JoJo Siwa, Liza Koshy, Machine Gun Kelly, Marsai Martin, Madelyn Cline and Winnie Harlow.
The following is the complete list of winners and nominees for the 2021 American Music Awards:
*=winner
ARTIST OF THE YEAR Ariana Grande BTS* Drake Olivia Rodrigo Taylor Swift The Weeknd
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR 24kGoldn Giveon Masked Wolf Olivia Rodrigo* The Kid LAROI
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR 24kGoldn ft. iann dior “Mood” Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez “DÁKITI” Chris Brown & Young Thug “Go Crazy” Doja Cat ft. SZA “Kiss Me More”* Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar & Giveon “Peaches”
FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak) “Leave The Door Open” Cardi B “Up” Lil Nas X “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”* Olivia Rodrigo “drivers license” The Weeknd “Save Your Tears”
FAVORITE MALE POP ARTIST Drake Ed Sheeran* Justin Bieber Lil Nas X The Weeknd
FAVORITE FEMALE POP ARTIST Ariana Grande Doja Cat Dua Lipa Olivia Rodrigo Taylor Swift*
FAVORITE POP DUO OR GROUP AJR BTS* Glass Animals Maroon 5 Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak)
FAVORITE POP ALBUM Ariana Grande “Positions” Dua Lipa “Future Nostalgia” Olivia Rodrigo “SOUR” Taylor Swift “evermore”* The Kid LAROI “F*CK LOVE”
FAVORITE POP SONG BTS “Butter”* Doja Cat ft. SZA “Kiss Me More” Dua Lipa “Levitating” Olivia Rodrigo “drivers license” The Weeknd & Ariana Grande “Save Your Tears (Remix)”
FAVORITE MALE COUNTRY ARTIST Chris Stapleton Jason Aldean Luke Bryan* Luke Combs Morgan Wallen
FAVORITE FEMALE COUNTRY ARTIST Carrie Underwood* Gabby Barrett Kacey Musgraves Maren Morris Miranda Lambert
FAVORITE COUNTRY DUO OR GROUP Dan + Shay* Florida Georgia Line Lady A Old Dominion Zac Brown Band
FAVORITE COUNTRY ALBUM Chris Stapleton “Starting Over” Gabby Barrett “Goldmine”* Lee Brice “Hey World” Luke Bryan “Born Here Live Here Die Here” Morgan Wallen “Dangerous: The Double Album”
FAVORITE COUNTRY SONG Chris Stapleton “Starting Over” Chris Young & Kane Brown “Famous Friends” Gabby Barrett “The Good Ones”* Luke Combs “Forever After All” Walker Hayes “Fancy Like”
FAVORITE MALE HIP-HOP ARTIST Drake* Lil Baby Moneybagg Yo Polo G Pop Smoke
FAVORITE FEMALE HIP-HOP ARTIST Cardi B Coi Leray Erica Banks Megan Thee Stallion* Saweetie
FAVORITE HIP-HOP ALBUM Drake “Certified Lover Boy” Juice WRLD “Legends Never Die” Megan Thee Stallion “Good News”* Pop Smoke “Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon” Rod Wave “SoulFly”
FAVORITE HIP-HOP SONG Cardi B “Up”* Internet Money ft. Gunna, Don Toliver & NAV “Lemonade” Lil Tjay ft. 6LACK “Calling My Phone” Polo G “RAPSTAR” Pop Smoke “What You Know Bout Love”
FAVORITE MALE R&B ARTIST Chris Brown Giveon Tank The Weeknd* Usher
FAVORITE R&B ALBUM Doja Cat “Planet Her”* Giveon “When It’s All Said And Done… Take Time” H.E.R. “Back of My Mind” Jazmine Sullivan “Heaux Tales” Queen Naija “missunderstood”
FAVORITE R&B SONG Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak) “Leave The Door Open”* Chris Brown & Young Thug “Go Crazy” Giveon “Heartbreak Anniversary” H.E.R. “Damage” Jazmine Sullivan “Pick Up Your Feelings”
FAVORITE MALE LATIN ARTIST Bad Bunny* J Balvin Maluma Ozuna Rauw Alejandro
FAVORITE FEMALE LATIN ARTIST Becky G* Kali Uchis KAROL G Natti Natasha ROSALÍA
FAVORITE LATIN DUO OR GROUP Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga* Calibre 50 Eslabon Armado La Arrolladora Banda El Limón De Rene Camacho Los Dos Carnales
FAVORITE LATIN ALBUM Bad Bunny “EL ÚLTIMO TOUR DEL MUNDO”* Kali Uchis “Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios)” KAROL G “KG0516” Maluma “PAPI JUANCHO” Rauw Alejandro “Afrodisíaco”
FAVORITE LATIN SONG Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez “DÁKITI” Bad Bunny x ROSALÍA “LA NOCHE DE ANOCHE” Farruko “Pepas” Kali Uchis “telepatía”* Maluma & The Weeknd “Hawái (Remix)”
FAVORITE ROCK ARTIST AJR All Time Low Foo Fighters Glass Animals Machine Gun Kelly*
FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL ARTIST CAIN Carrie Underwood* Elevation Worship Lauren Daigle Zach Williams
FAVORITE GOSPEL ARTIST Kanye West* Kirk Franklin Koryn Hawthorne Maverick City Music Tasha Cobbs Leonard
FAVORITE DANCE/ELECTRONIC ARTIST David Guetta ILLENIUM Marshmello* Regard Tiësto
BET Networks today announced the nominees for the 2018 Soul Train Awards across 12 different categories. The annual celebration will recognize the best in Soul, R&B and Hip-Hop from legends to the next generation. Filming on November 17 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, BET presents: 2018 Soul Train Awards will air on BET and BET HER on November 25 at 8PM ET.
2018 breakout star, H.E.R. ties with last year’s top winner, Bruno Mars, for the most nods, leading the nominations with six each. H.E.R.’s nominations include Song of the Year, Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, Album/Mixtape of the Year, Best Collaboration Performance, Video of the Year and The Ashford and Simpson Songwriters Award. Bruno’s nominations include Best R&B/Soul Male, Song of the Year, Best Dance Performance, Best Collaboration Performance, The Ashford and Simpson Songwriters Award, Video of the Year for “Finesse.”
Other nominees include SZA, who garnered five nods, Ella Mai, Daniel Caesar, and Cardi B each garnered four nods for this year’s awards.
Known for being the iconic best friend duo on the 90’s hit show Martin, real life best friends Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold are sure to bring the fun at this year’s awards.
Four-time Grammy Award-winning, singer-songwriter, artist, director/producer, holistic healer, activist, and mother Erykah Badu, is set to receive the Legend Award. No stranger to the Soul Train Awards stage, serving as the 2017 host of the awards, Badu’s career has roots deeply planted in soul. The New York Times described Badu’s groundbreaking debut, 1997’s “Baduizm,” as “traditional soul vocals, staccato hip-hop rhythms and laid-back jazzy grooves.” Yet, hindsight reveals that Badu’s debut was more than just an album, it was the introduction of a new lifestyle. In her career spanning over two decades, Badu has continued to use her platform as an altar. By incorporating instruments such as tuning forks, crystal singing bowls, and gem stones and more into her music, she has created a wave of healing energy throughout the planet. But her true instrument is the ‘intent’ with which she sings.
The fourth annual Lady of Soul Award will be presented to multi-platinum Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, and record producer Faith Evans. With a music career spanning over two decades, Faith has released eight studio albums, with over 18 million albums sold and spawning over 30 singles. Faith has also performed on 20+ soundtracks and a host of guest appearances during her career. Faith Evans is a seven-time Grammy nominee; winning Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1998 for “I’ll Be Missing You,” an homage to her late husband and hip-hop legend Notorious B.I.G.
BET Presents: 2018 Soul Train Awards will feature an exciting lineup of unforgettable performances and viewers can expect special appearances by some of the brightest stars in entertainment. The event annually showcases Soul Train’s impact on the history of music and dance from the ’70s to today.
BET Presents: 2018 Soul Train Awards is produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment. Executive Producers of the network telecast are as follows: Connie Orlando from BET and Jesse Collins from Jesse Collins Entertainment.
For show information, please visit BET.com/SoulTrain, the official site for BET Presents: 2018 Soul Train Awards.
The complete list of nominees for BET Presents: 2018 Soul Train Awards are:
Best New Artist
Daniel Caesar
Jorja Smith
Kali Uchis
Leon Thomas
Normani
Queen Naija
Soul Train Certified Award
Ashanti
Jorja Smith
Ledisi
Lenny Kravitz
Major.
Tami
Best R&B/Soul Female Award
Beyoncé
Ella Mai
H.E.R.
Mariah Carey
SZA
Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
Bruno Mars
Childish Gambino
Daniel Caesar
John Legend
Khalid
Tank
Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Andra Day
Kirk Franklin
Lecrae
Snoop Dogg
Tori Kelly
Rhythm & Bars Award (Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year)
Cardi B featuring Bad Bunny & J Balvin, “I Like It”
Childish Cambino, “This Is America”
DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Quavo, “No Brainer”
Drake, “In My Feelings”
The Carters, “Apes**t”
Song of the Year
Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B, “Finesse” (Remix)
Ella Mai, “Boo’d Up”
H.E.R., “Every Kind of Way”
SZA, “The Weekend”
The Internet, “Come Over”
Album/Mixtape of the Year
Chole x Halle, “The Kids Are Alright”
Chris Brown, “Heartbreak on a Full Moon”
H.E.R., “H.E.R.”
Leon Bridges, “Good Thing”
Miguel, “War & Leisure”
The Internet, “Hive Mind”
The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award
“Finesse” (Remix) – Written by Gene Hernandez, Belcalis Almanzar, Chris Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Ray McCullough, Klenord Raphale, Jeremy Reeves, James Yip, Ray Romulus (Performed by Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B)
“Summertime Magic” – Written by Donald Glover, Ludwig Goransson (Performed by Childish Gambino)
“Best Part” – Written by Ashton Simmonds, H.E.R., Riley Bell, Matthew Burnett, Jordan Evans (Performed by Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R.)
“Boo’d Up” – Written by Ella Howell, Dijon McFarlane, Joelle James, Larrance Dopson (Performed by Ella Mai)
“Focus” – Written by H.E.R., Darhyl Camper, Justin Love (Performed by H.E.R.)
“Broken Clocks” – Written by Solana Rowe, Cody Fayne, Aadam Feeney, Ashton Simmonds, Thomas Beesley (Performed by SZA)
Best Dance Performance
Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B, “Finesse” (Remix)
Chris Brown, “Tempo”
Ciara, “Level Up”
HoodCelebrityy, “Walking Trophy”
Janet Jackson featuring Daddy Yankee, “Made for Now”
Best Collaboration Performance
Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B, “Finesse” (Remix)
Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R., “Best Part”
John Legend featuring BloodPop, “A Good Night”
Khalid, 6lack, Ty Dolla $IGN, “OTW”
SZA featuring Kendrick Lamar, “Doves in the Wind”
Video of the Year
Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B, “Finesse” (Remix)
Ella Mai, “Boo’d Up”
H.E.R., “Avenue”
SZA, “Broken Clocks”
The Internet, “Come Over”
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks – BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.
About Soul Train Holdings
Soul Train Holdings, LLC was formed in May 2008 and is owned by InterMedia Partners and a partnership between Magic Johnson Enterprises and Ron Burkle’s investment firm, The Yucaipa Companies. The iconic franchise and catalog consists of more than 1,100 episodes and 40 specials from Don Cornelius Productions, Inc. Soul Train is the longest running, first-run, nationally syndicated music program in television history. During its 35-year run, the show featured lasting innovations such as the Soul Train line and the legendary sign off “Love, Peace and Soul.” At the heart of the show was Don Cornelius, the dancers and influential artists such as James Brown, Al Green, Ike & Tina Turner, Hall & Oates, Donna Summer, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Prince, Run D.M.C. and Destiny’s Child.
About the Orleans Arena
The Orleans Arena, a Boyd Gaming facility located just west of the Las Vegas Strip, is one of the nation’s leading multi-purpose sports and entertainment facilities and the 2014 recipient of the Venue Excellence Award from the International Association of Venue Managers. In addition, the Orleans Arena is one of only a handful of arenas in the United States to achieve LEED Gold Certification and is part of the largest company in Nevada to achieve SHARP Certification for commitments to safe venue operations. According to Venues Today magazine, the Orleans Arena, which hosts more than 200 events each year, consistently ranks in the Top 10 for ticket sales in the United States and internationally among venues of similar size. These events include nationally touring concerts, NCAA basketball conference tournaments, family shows, motorsports and other unique events. For more information, call 702-365-7469 or visit www.OrleansArena.com. Stay connected to the Orleans Arena on Facebook (www.facebook.com/orleansarena) and on Twitter (@orleansarena).
About Jesse Collins Entertainment
Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full service television and film production company founded by entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins. For more than a decade, Collins has played an integral role in producing some of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. Collins has produced ground-breaking and award winning television programming including the BET Awards, the Grammy Awards, Soul Train Awards, BET Honors, UNCF An Evening of Stars, ABFF Awards and the BET Hip Hop Awards. Collins was an executive producer of the hit TV series “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” starring Kevin Hart; the critically-acclaimed “The New Edition Story,” a biopic on the boy band that aired as a three-part mini-series on BET in January 2017; and posted record ratings for the network and attracted nearly 30 million viewers. He is also the executive producer of VH1 shows “Dear Mama” and “Hip Hop Squares” with Ice Cube. He has appeared on the cover of Vibe magazine and has been featured in numerous publications including Ebony magazine. JCE recent debut “The Bobby Brown Story” aired on BET on September 4 and 5, 2018 drawing over 13MM total viewers in its premiere week.
Taylor Swift at the 2018 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on October 9, 2018. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)
Camila Cabello at the 2018 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on October 9, 2018. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)
Shawn Mendes at the 2018 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on October 9, 2018. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)
Migos at the 2018 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on October 9, 2018. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)
Cardi B at the 2018 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on October 9, 2018. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for dcp via ABC/AMA2018)
Post Malone at the 2018 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on October 9, 2018. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)
With four prizes, including Artist of the Year, Taylor Swift was the top winner at the 2018 American Music Awards, which were presented on October 9 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Camila Cabello, a former member of Fifth Harmony, also won four American Music Awards, including New Artist of the Year. Cabello was an opening act for Swift on Swift’s “Reputation” tour. Tracee Ellis Ross hosted the American Music Awards show for the second year in a row. The awards are voted for online by the public.
Swift now has 23 American Music Awards, the most ever won by a female artist. The previous record holder was Whitney Houston, who won 21 American Music Awards.
At the 2018 ceremony, Swift also did her first award-show performance in more than two years. She opened the 2018 American Music Awards with “I Did Something Bad.” Swift was one of several people on the show, including Ross and presenter Billy Eichner, who urged people to vote in their upcoming political elections.
With eight nominations each, Cardi B and Drake were the top nominees for the 2018 American Music Awards, but Drake (who did not attend the ceremony) did not win any of the prizes. Cardi B won three American Music Awards, and so did Kane Brown. Post Malone won two American Music Awards.
Other performers on the show included Twenty One Pilots (“Jumpsuit”), Carrie Underwood (“Spinning Bottles”), Cabello (“Consequences”), Mariah Carey (who sang the live world premiere of “With You”), Dua Lipa (who did a medley of “One Kiss” and “Electricity”), Jennifer Lopez (“Limitless”) and Ella Mai (“Boo’d Up”). Imagine Dragons had been announced as performers several weeks before the ceremony, but the band’s appearance was canceled with no explanation.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” stars Rami Malek, Joseph Mazzello and Gwilym Lee introduced Panic! At the Disco, which performed Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” from a concert in Brisbane, Australia.
There were also several on-stage collaborations. Cardi B featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin performed their hit song “I Like It” on television for the first time. Benny Blanco joined forces with Halsey and Khalid for their hit “Eastside.” Ciara featuring Missy Elliott did a medley of “Level Up” and “Dose.” Post Malone was joined by Ty Dolla $ign for their hit “Psycho” after Malone performed “Better Now.” Shawn Mendes paired with Zedd for “Lost in Japan.” Gladys Knight, Ledisi, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin and CeCe Winans closed out the show did a special tribute to Aretha Franklin, who died of pancreatic cancer on August 16, 2018.
Other presenters included Kelsea Ballerini, Tyra Banks, Kane Brown, Chloe x Halle, Macaulay Culkin, Lauren Daigle, Sara Gilbert, Kathryn Hahn, Amber Heard, Vanessa Hudgens, Taran Killam, Leighton Meester, Heidi Klum, Liza Koshy, Lenny Kravitz, Normani, Rita Ora, Busy Philipps, Bebe Rexha, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Evan Ross, Ashlee Simpson-Ross, John Stamos, Amandla Stenberg, The Chainsmokers and Constance Wu.
YouTube Music was the presenting sponsor of the 2018 American Music Awards. Capital One Savor Card and Subaru of America, Inc. were sponsors of the show. The media partner was Cumulus Media/Westwood One.
The 2018 American Music Awards show was produced by Dick Clark Productions. Barry Adelman, Mark Bracco and host Ross were executive Producers. Larry Klein was a producer.
The following is the complete list of nominees and winners of the 2018 American Music Awards:
*=winner
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Drake
Imagine Dragons
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran Taylor Swift*
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE SAVOR CARD Camila Cabello*
Cardi B
Khalid
Dua Lipa
XXXTentacion
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug, “Havana”*
Post Malone featuring 21 Savage, “Rockstar”
Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B, “Finesse”
Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line, “Meant To Be”
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey, “The Middle”
TOUR OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé & JAY-Z
Bruno Mars
Ed Sheeran Taylor Swift*
U2
FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug, “Havana”*
Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Drake, “God’s Plan”
FAVORITE SOCIAL ARTIST BTS*
Cardi B
Ariana Grande
Demi Lovato
Shawn Mendes
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Drake Post Malone*
Ed Sheeran
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Camila Cabello
Cardi B Taylor Swift*
FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK
Imagine Dragons
Maroon 5 Migos*
FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK
Drake, “Scorpion”
Ed Sheeran, “÷ (Divide)” Taylor Swift, “Reputation”*
FAVORITE SONG – POP/ROCK Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug, “Havana”*
Drake, “God’s Plan”
Ed Sheeran, “Perfect”
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY Kane Brown*
Luke Bryan
Thomas Rhett
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Kelsea Ballerini
Maren Morris Carrie Underwood*
FAVORITE DUO or GROUP – COUNTRY
Dan + Shay Florida Georgia Line*
LANCO
FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY Kane Brown, “Kane Brown”*
Luke Combs, “This One’s For You”
Thomas Rhett, “Life Changes”
FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY Kane Brown, “Heaven”*
Dan + Shay, “Tequila”
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line, “Meant To Be”
FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP Cardi B*
Drake
Post Malone
FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP
Drake, “Scorpion”
Lil Uzi Vert, “Luv Is Rage 2” Post Malone, “Beerbongs & Bentleys”*
FAVORITE SONG – RAP/HIP-HOP Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”*
Drake, “God’s Plan”
Post Malone featuring 21 Savage, “Rockstar”
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B Khalid*
Bruno Mars
The Weeknd
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Ella Mai Rihanna*
SZA
The following is a press release from Dick Clark Productions and NBC:
Dick Clark Productions and NBC today announced nominees for the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, which will honor the year’s most successful artists in 57 categories of music. Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran lead the pack with 15 nominations each, followed by Post Malone with 13, Imagine Dragons with 11, Drake with 9 and Justin Bieber and Cardi B with 8. The “2018 Billboard Music Awards” will broadcast LIVE coast to coast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on NBC.
The 2018 Billboard Music Awards nominations include a cross section of artists with many seeing more nods than ever. Lamar, Mars and Sheeran received nominations for Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Hot 100 Song and Top Songs Sales Artist, among others. Post Malone received 13 nominations including Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, plus two nominations in the Top Streaming Song (Audio) category. Imagine Dragons received 11 nominations, including Top Duo/Group, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Rock Artist, and two nominations in the Top Rock Song and Top Selling Song categories. Additional top nominees include Drake with 9, Justin Bieber and Cardi B with 8, and Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi with 7 nominations. In addition to Cardi B, other top female nominees include Taylor Swift with 5 and Camila Cabello with 4 nominations.
Voting for the two fan voted categories, Billboard Chart Achievement Award and Top Social Artist, will open in the coming weeks and additional details will be available soon.
2018 TOP NOMINEE CHART FACTS:
Justin Bieber
Even without a new album, 15-time Billboard Music Award winner Justin Bieber was a chart superstar in 2017 thanks to featured vocals on two of the year’s No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits. He teamed with DJ Khaled, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne on “I’m the One,” which became only the 28th song in the Hot 100’s history to debut in the top slot. The next week, Bieber replaced himself at No. 1 – for the second time in his career – with “Despacito,” his remixed smash with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. The trio conquered the Hot 100’s summit for a record-tying 16 weeks, matching Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” (in 1995-96) for the longest reign at No. 1 ever on the chart.
Cardi B
Cardi B cashed in big in 2017, as she became only the third act ever, and the first rapper, to place her first three Billboard Hot 100 chart entries in the top 10 simultaneously, joining only The Beatles and Ashanti in achieving the feat. Cardi B’s debut hit, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves),” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, also making her just the second female rapper to top the tally without any other billed artists, following Lauryn Hill, with “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in 1998. Following her “Bodak” breakthrough, Cardi B nabbed a No. 1 in early 2018 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with her Bruno Mars collaboration “Finesse.”
Daddy Yankee
Daddy Yankee’s team-up with Luis Fonsi on “Despacito” vaulted to history on the Billboard Hot 100, as the song, remixed with Justin Bieber, led for 16 weeks, equaling Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” (in 1995-96) for the longest term on top in the chart’s history. “Despacito” also broke the No. 1 longevity record on Hot Latin Songs, besting “Bailando,” by Enrique Iglesias featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona (which led for 41 weeks in 2014-15). “Despacito,” the first predominantly Spanish-language No. 1 on the Hot 100 since Los Del Rio’s “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” in 1996, additionally became the longest-leading No. 1 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales (17 weeks) and Streaming Songs (16 weeks) charts.
Drake
Seemingly, only one person can break a Drake chart record … Drake. The superstar rewrote his Billboard Hot 100 record for the most entries by an artist in a single week, as his More Life album release propelled him to 24 simultaneous titles, three more than his then-record set in 2016. More Life‘s arrival also pushed Drake ahead of label mate and frequent collaborator Lil Wayne for the most Hot 100 entries by any solo artist. In 2018, the prolific MC, whose 13 Billboard Music Award wins in 2017 set a single-night record, has added jewels to his chart crown. “God’s Plan” joined his 2016 smash “One Dance” (featuring WizKid and Kyla) with double-digit weeks atop the Hot 100, making him the first male soloist with at least two songs (with lead-artist billing on both) that have each led for at least 10 weeks.
Luis Fonsi
Luis Fonsi made history on the Billboard Hot 100 when his Daddy Yankee collaboration “Despacito,” remixed with Justin Bieber, surged to a 16-week domination, tying Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” (in 1995-96) for the longest stay at No. 1 ever on the chart. On Hot Latin Songs, “Despacito” also broke barriers, passing prior record-holder “Bailando,” by Enrique Iglesias featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona (41 weeks at No. 1 in 2014-15) for the longest command since the list’s 1986 launch. “Despacito” became the first predominantly Spanish-language No. 1 on the Hot 100 since Los Del Rio’s “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” in 1996, as well as the longest-ruling leader on the all-genre Digital Song Sales (17 weeks) and Streaming Songs (16 weeks) surveys.
Imagine Dragons
Five-time Billboard Music Award winners Imagine Dragons returned in a big way in the past year, as the band’s album Evolve debuted at No. 1 on the Top Rock Albums chart. The set has generated three No. 1s on the Alternative Songs airplay chart (“Believer,” “Thunder” and “Whatever It Takes”), making it the first album to achieve the triple-threat feat this decade. Evolve also marked the band’s first album with two top five-charting hits on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart (“Believer” and “Thunder”).
Kendrick Lamar
It’s been a DAMN. fine year for Kendrick Lamar, as the hip-hop superstar clocked his third consecutive No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with DAMN. The album spent four weeks atop the tally and saw all 14 of its tracks reach the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The set also yielded Lamar’s first Hot 100 No. 1, “Humble.” Following his success with DAMN., Lamar returned as the curator and producer of Black Panther: The Album, which generated two more Hot 100 top 10s for him: “All the Stars,” with SZA, and “Pray for Me,” with The Weeknd.
Bruno Mars
Almost everything that Bruno Mars touches on the charts turns to gold, a flair that continued thanks to his third LP, 24K Magic. As the set produced top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in the No. 4-peaking title cut, the No. 1 “That’s What I Like” and, in early 2018, “Finesse,” remixed with Cardi B, Mars became the first male to pull at least three Hot 100 top 10s from each of his first three proper LPs in over 30 years (since Lionel Richie in 1982-86). “Finesse” also topped the Pop Songs airplay chart, earning Mars a record-breaking honor: the track became his ninth No. 1 on the list, pushing him past Justin Timberlake for the most leaders among males in the chart’s 25-year history.
Post Malone
On the heels of his 2016 debut set Stoney, Post Malone erupted in mainstream popularity and accomplished two career firsts in rapid succession. The rapper/singer earned his first top 10 song on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 2017 with “Congratulations,” featuring Quavo. He followed with “rockstar,” featuring 21 Savage, which debuted at No. 2 and, in October, became his first No. 1, as it eventually ruled for eight weeks. Post Malone’s next new release, the Ty Dolla $ign-assisted “Psycho,” matched “rockstar” with a No. 2 opening on the Hot 100 in March, making the Texas native one of only nine artists, and two rappers (joining Eminem), to have debuted multiple songs in the chart’s top two spots.
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran muscled to the best shape of career so far with his third LP, ÷ (Divide). The set debuted as his second No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, while lead single “Shape of You” launched as the pop singer-songwriter’s first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song went on to rule the Hot 100 for 12 weeks and log 33 total weeks in the top 10, the most for any title in the chart’s history. In December, the album’s third single, “Perfect,” remixed with Beyoncé, began a six-week Hot 100 rule. Notably, thanks to the ballad, the superstars combined for the first Hot 100 No. 1 of the 2010s credited equally to a solo male and female.
“Billboard Music Awards” nominees are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The finalists and award winners are determined using data reflecting a 12-month tracking period. Since 1940, the Billboard charts have been the go-to guide for ranking the popularity of artists, songs and albums, and are the ultimate measure of success in music.
The “2018 Billboard Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, Mark Bracco, Barry Adelman and Robert Deaton are Executive Producers.
For the latest Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) news, exclusive content and more, be sure to follow the BBMAs on social media and join the conversation by using the official hashtag for the show, #BBMAs. Facebook:FB.com/TheBBMAs Twitter:@BBMAs Instagram: bbmas Snapchat:thebbmas
The 2018 Billboard Music Awards are sponsored by T-Mobile.
About Billboard Billboard is the world’s largest voice in music, built on the most complete and well-respected database of charts across all music genres. The Billboard charts define success in music. From the iconic Billboard magazine to Billboard.com, the ultimate consumer-facing destination for millions of passionate music fans, to the industry’s most elite conference series and influencer events including the Power 100 and Women in Music – the Billboard brand has unmatched authority among fans, artists and the industry alike. Billboard has a social media footprint of 16.4 million social followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, and creates more than 200M cross-platform video views per month. Billboard magazine has published major news-generating covers recently including Travis Scott, Zayn, Lorde, Marshmello, Demi Lovato, Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Eminem, DJ Khaled, Charlie Puth, and an open letter to Congress signed by 180+ of the music industry’s biggest stars and executives. In December 2017, the Billboard Women in Music ceremony, which honored Selena Gomez as Woman of the Year, was live-streamed globally on Twitter. In 2016, The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group acquired SpinMedia’s storied music assets Spin, Vibe, and Stereogum, establishing the world’s largest music brand by digital traffic, social reach, and audience share. The combined entity of music and entertainment properties now reaches 47 million unique visitors and one in every three U.S. millennials.
About “2018 Billboard Music Awards”
The “2018 Billboard Music Awards” are set to make their NBC debut and will broadcast live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. The three-hour telecast will feature this year’s hottest musical acts, biggest performances, unexpected collaborations, buzzworthy pop culture moments and will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Billboard Hot 100. “Billboard Music Awards” nominees are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the reporting period of April 8, 2017 through March 31, 2018. The “2018 Billboard Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, Mark Bracco, Barry Adelman and Robert Deaton are Executive Producers.
About dick clark productions
dick clark productions (dcp) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” and the “Streamy Awards.” Weekly television programming includes “So You Think You Can Dance” from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with over 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. dcp is a division of Valence Media, a diversified media company with divisions and strategic investments in premium television, wide release film, specialty film, live events and digital media. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.
THE “2018 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS” NOMINEES:NOMINATIONS BY CATEGORY
ARTIST AWARDS
Top Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
Top New Artist:
21 Savage
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Khalid
Kodak Black
Billboard Chart Achievement Award (Voting details to be released in the coming weeks):
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Drake
Sam Hunt
Ed Sheeran
Top Male Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Top Female Artist:
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Halsey
Demi Lovato
Taylor Swift
Top Duo/Group:
The Chainsmokers
Coldplay
Imagine Dragons
Migos
U2
Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Ed Sheeran
Chris Stapleton
Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Artist:
Imagine Dragons
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Top Streaming Songs Artist:
Cardi B
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Top Song Sales Artist:
Imagine Dragons
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Top Radio Songs Artist:
Halsey
Imagine Dragons
Bruno Mars
Charlie Puth
Ed Sheeran
Top Social Artist (Voting details to be released in the coming weeks):
Justin Bieber
BTS
Ariana Grande
Demi Lovato
Shawn Mendes
Top Touring Artist:
Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
Bruno Mars
Ed Sheeran
U2
Top R&B Artist:
Chris Brown
Khalid
Bruno Mars
SZA
The Weeknd
Top R&B Male Artist:
Khalid
Bruno Mars
The Weeknd
Top R&B Female Artist:
Beyoncé
Rihanna
SZA
Top R&B Tour:
Bruno Mars
Lionel Richie
The Weeknd
Top Rap Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Uzi Vert
Migos
Post Malone
Top Rap Male Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Post Malone
Top Rap Female Artist:
Bhad Bhabie
Cardi B
Nicki Minaj
Top Rap Tour:
J. Cole
JAY-Z
Kendrick Lamar
Top Country Artist:
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Sam Hunt
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Top Country Male Artist:
Sam Hunt
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Top Country Female Artist:
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Top Country Duo/Group Artist:
Florida Georgia Line
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Top Country Tour:
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Top Rock Artist:
Imagine Dragons
Linkin Park
Portugal. The Man
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
twenty one pilots
Top Rock Tour:
Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
U2
Top Latin Artist:
J Balvin
Daddy Yankee
Luis Fonsi
Ozuna
Romeo Santos
Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Calvin Harris
Kygo
Marshmello
ODESZA
Top Christian Artist:
Elevation Worship
Hillsong UNITED
Hillsong Worship
MercyMe
Zach Williams
Top Gospel Artist:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy
Travis Greene
J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Tamela Mann
ALBUM AWARDS
Top Billboard 200 Album:
Drake “More Life”
Kendrick Lamar “DAMN.”
Post Malone “Stoney”
Ed Sheeran “÷ (Divide)”
Taylor Swift “reputation”
Top Selling Album:
Kendrick Lamar “DAMN.”
P!nk “Beautiful Trauma”
Ed Sheeran “÷ (Divide)”
Chris Stapleton “From A Room: Volume 1”
Taylor Swift “reputation”
Top Soundtrack:
“Black Panther”
“The Fate of the Furious: The Album”
“The Greatest Showman”
“Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2”
“Moana”
Top R&B Album:
Khalid “American Teen”
Bruno Mars “24K Magic”
SZA “Ctrl”
The Weeknd “Starboy”
XXXTENTACION “17”
Top Rap Album:
Drake “More Life”
Kendrick Lamar “DAMN.”
Lil Uzi Vert “Luv Is Rage 2”
Migos “Culture”
Post Malone “Stoney”
Top Country Album:
Kane Brown “Kane Brown”
Luke Combs “This One’s For You”
Thomas Rhett “Life Changes”
Chris Stapleton “From A Room: Volume 1”
Brett Young “Brett Young”
Top Rock Album:
Imagine Dragons “Evolve”
Linkin Park “One More Light”
Panic! At The Disco “Death Of A Bachelor”
Portugal. The Man “Woodstock”
U2 “Songs of Experience”
Top Latin Album:
Nicky Jam “Fénix”
Christian Nodal “Me Dejé Llevar”
Ozuna “Odisea”
Romeo Santos “Golden”
Shakira “El Dorado”
Top Dance/Electronic Album:
Avicii “AVĪCI (01)”
The Chainsmokers “Memories…Do Not Open”
Calvin Harris “Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1”
Kygo “Stargazing”
ODESZA “A Moment Apart”
Top Christian Album:
Elevation Worship “There Is A Cloud”
Hillsong UNITED “Wonder”
Hillsong Worship “Let There Be Light”
Alan Jackson “Precious Memories Collection”
MercyMe “Lifer”
Top Gospel Album:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy “A Long Way From Sunday”
Travis Greene “Crossover: Live From Music City”
J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise “You Deserve It”
Tasha Cobbs Leonard “Heart. Passion. Pursuit.”
Marvin Sapp “Close”
SONG AWARDS
Top Hot 100 Song:
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber “Despacito”
Kendrick Lamar “HUMBLE.”
Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage “Rockstar”
Ed Sheeran “Shape Of You”
Top Streaming Song (Audio):
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber “Despacito”
Kendrick Lamar “HUMBLE.”
Lil Uzi Vert “XO TOUR Llif3”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage “Rockstar”
Post Malone ft. Quavo “Congratulations”
Top Streaming Song (Video):
Cardi B “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber “Despacito”
Lil Pump “Gucci Gang”
Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like”
Ed Sheeran “Shape of You”
Top Selling Song:
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber “Despacito”
Sam Hunt “Body Like A Back Road”
Imagine Dragons “Believer”
Imagine Dragons “Thunder”
Ed Sheeran “Perfect”
Top Radio Song:
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay “Something Just Like This”
Imagine Dragons “Believer”
Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like”
Charlie Puth “Attention”
Ed Sheeran “Shape of You”
Top Collaboration:
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug “Havana”
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay “Something Just Like This”
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber “Despacito”
French Montana ft. Swae Lee “Unforgettable”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage “Rockstar”
Top R&B Song:
Childish Gambino “Redbone”
DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller “Wild Thoughts”
Khalid “Young Dumb & Broke”
Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like”
Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B “Finesse”
Top Rap Song:
Cardi B “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper & Lil Wayne “I’m the One”
French Montana ft. Swae Lee “Unforgettable”
Kendrick Lamar “HUMBLE.”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage “Rockstar”
Top Country Song:
Kane Brown ft. Lauren Alaina “What Ifs”
Sam Hunt “Body Like A Back Road”
Dustin Lynch “Small Town Boy”
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line “Meant To Be”
Brett Young “In Case You Didn’t Know”
Top Rock Song:
Imagine Dragons “Believer”
Imagine Dragons “Thunder”
Linkin Park ft. Kiiara “Heavy”
Portugal. The Man “Feel It Still”
The Revivalists “Wish I Knew You”
Top Latin Song:
J Balvin & Willy William ft. Beyoncé “Mi Gente”
Becky G ft. Bad Bunny “Mayores”
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber “Despacito”
Maluma “Felices Los 4”
Wisin ft. Ozuna “Escápate Conmigo”
Top Dance/Electronic Song:
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay “Something Just Like This”
Clean Bandit ft. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie “Rockabye”
Cheat Codes ft. Demi Lovato “No Promises”
Kygo & Selena Gomez “It Ain’t Me”
Zedd & Alessia Cara “Stay”
Top Christian Song:
Elevation Worship “O Come To The Altar”
Hillsong Worship “What A Beautiful Name”
Lecrae ft. Tori Kelly “I’ll Find You”
MercyMe “Even If”
Zach Williams “Old Church Choir”
Top Gospel Song:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy “Trust In You”
J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise “You Deserve It”
Travis Greene “You Waited”
Tamela Mann “Change Me”
Charlie Wilson “I’m Blessed”
NOMINATIONS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER (BY FIRST NAME):
“Black Panther” (1): Top Soundtrack “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2” (1): Top Soundtrack “Moana” (1): Top Soundtrack “The Fate of the Furious: The Album” (1): Top Soundtrack “The Greatest Showman” (1): Top Soundtrack 21 Savage (5): Top New Artist, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top Collaboration, Top Rap Song Alan Jackson (1): Top Christian Album Alessia Cara (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Anne-Marie (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Anthony Brown & group therAPy (3): Top Gospel Artist, Top Gospel Album, Top Gospel Song Ariana Grande (1): Top Social Artist Avicii (1): Top Dance/Electronic Album Bad Bunny (1): Top Latin Song Bebe Rexha: (1): Top Country Song Becky G (1): Top Latin Song Beyoncé (2): Top R&B Female Artist, Top Latin Song Bhad Bhabie (1): Top Rap Female Artist Brett Young (2): Top Country Album, Top Country Song Bruno Mars (15): Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Touring Artist, Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Male Artist, Top R&B Tour, Top R&B Album, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Video), Top Radio Song, Top R&B Song (x2) Bryson Tiller (1): Top R&B Song BTS (1): Top Social Artist Calvin Harris (2): Top Dance/Electronic Artist, Top Dance/Electronic Album Camila Cabello (4): Billboard Chart Achievement Award, Top New Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Collaboration Cardi B (8): Billboard Chart Achievement Award, Top New Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Rap Female Artist, Top Streaming Song (Video), Top R&B Song, Top Rap Song, Top Streaming Songs Artist Chance The Rapper (1): Top Rap Song Charlie Puth (2): Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Radio Song Charlie Wilson (1): Top Gospel Song Cheat Codes (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Childish Gambino (1): Top R&B Song Chris Brown (1): Top R&B Artist Chris Stapleton (5): Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, Top Country Album, Top Selling Album Christian Nodal (1): Top Latin Album Clean Bandit (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Coldplay (6): Top Duo/Group, Top Touring Artist, Top Rock Tour, Top Radio Song, Top Collaboration, Top Dance/Electronic Song Daddy Yankee (7): Top Latin Artist, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top Streaming Song (Video), Top Selling Song, Top Collaboration, Top Latin Song Demi Lovato (3): Top Female Artist, Top Social Artist, Top Dance/Electronic Song DJ Khaled (2): Top R&B Song, Top Rap Song Drake (9): Top Artist, Billboard Chart Achievement Award, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Rap Album, Top Streaming Songs Artist Dustin Lynch (1): Top Country Song Ed Sheeran (15): Top Artist, Billboard Chart Achievement Award, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Streaming Song, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Touring Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Selling Album, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Video), Top Selling Song, Top Radio Song Elevation Worship (3): Top Christian Artist, Top Christian Album, Top Christian Song Faith Hill (1): Top Country Tour Florida Georgia Line (3): Top Country Duo/Group Artist, Top Country Tour, Top Country Song French Montana (2): Top Collaboration, Top Rap Song Guns N’ Roses (2): Top Touring Artist, Top Rock Tour Halsey (2): Top Female Artist, Top Radio Artist Hillsong UNITED (2): Top Christian Artist, Top Christian Album Hillsong Worship (3): Top Christian Artist, Top Christian Album, Top Christian Song Imagine Dragons (11): Top Duo/Group, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Rock Artist, Top Rock Album, Top Selling Song (x2), Top Radio Song, Top Rock Song (x2) J Balvin (2): Top Latin Artist, Top Latin Song J. Cole (1): Top Rap Tour JAY-Z (1): Top Rap Tour J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise (3): Top Gospel Artist, Top Gospel Album, Top Gospel Song Justin Bieber (8): Top Social Artist, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top Streaming Song (Video), Top Selling Song, Top Collaboration, Top Rap Song, Top Latin Song Kane Brown (3): Top Country Artist, Top Country Album, Top Country Song Kelsea Ballerini (1): Top Country Female Artist Kendrick Lamar (15): Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist, Top Rap Tour, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Rap Album, Top Selling Song, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top Rap Song Khalid (5): Top New Artist, Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Male Artist, Top R&B Album, Top R&B Song Kiiara (1): Top Rock Song Kodak Black (1): Top New Artist Kygo (3): Top Dance/Electronic Artist, Top Dance/Electronic Album, Top Dance/Electronic Song, Lauren Alaina (1): Top Country Song Lecrae (1): Top Christian Song Lil Pump (1): Top Streaming Song (Video) Lil Uzi Vert (3): Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Album, Top Streaming Song (Audio) Lil Wayne (1): Top Rap Song Linkin Park (3): Top Rock Artist, Top Rock Album, Top Rock Song Lionel Richie (1): Top R&B Tour Luis Fonsi (7): Top Latin Artist, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top Streaming Song (Video), Top Selling Song, Top Collaboration, Top Latin Song Luke Bryan (1): Top Country Tour Luke Combs (2): Top Country Artist, Top Country Album Maluma (1): Top Latin Song Maren Morris (1): Top Country Female Artist Marshmello (1): Top Dance/Electronic Artist Marvin Sapp (1): Top Gospel Album MercyMe (3): Top Christian Artist, Top Christian Album, Top Christian Song Migos (3): Top Duo/Group, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Album Miranda Lambert (1): Top Country Female Artist Nicki Minaj (1): Top Rap Female Artist Nicky Jam (1): Top Latin Album ODESZA (2): Top Dance/Electronic Artist, Top Dance/Electronic Album Old Dominion (1): Top Country Duo/Group Artist Ozuna (3): Top Latin Artist, Top Latin Album, Top Latin Song P!NK (1): Top Selling Album Panic! At The Disco (1): Top Rock Album Portugal. The Man (3): Top Rock Artist, Top Rock Album, Top Rock Song Post Malone (13): Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Rap Album, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio) (x2), Top Collaboration, Top Rap Song Quavo (2): Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top Rap Song Rihanna (2): Top R&B Female Artist, Top R&B Song Romeo Santos (2): Top Latin Artist, Top Latin Album Sam Hunt (5): Billboard Chart Achievement Award, Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, Top Selling Song, Top Country Song Sean Paul (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Selena Gomez (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Shakira (1): Top Latin Album Shawn Mendes (1): Top Social Artist Swae Lee (2): Top Collaboration, Top Rap Song SZA (3): Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Female Artist, Top R&B Album Tamela Mann (2): Top Gospel Artist, Top Gospel Song Tasha Cobbs Leonard (2): Top Gospel Artist, Top Gospel Album Taylor Swift (5): Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Selling Album The Chainsmokers (6): Top Duo/Group, Top Dance/Electronic Artist, Top Dance/Electronic Album, Top Radio Song, Top Collaboration, Top Dance/Electronic Song The Revivalists (1): Top Rock Song The Weeknd (4): Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Male Artist, Top R&B Tour, Top R&B Album Thomas Rhett (3): Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, Top Country Album Tim McGraw (1): Top Country Tour Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (1): Top Rock Artist Tori Kelly (1): Top Christian Song Travis Greene (3): Top Gospel Artist, Top Gospel Album, Top Gospel Song twenty one pilots (1): Top Rock Artist U2 (4): Top Duo/Group, Top Touring Artist, Top Rock Tour, Top Rock Album Willy William (1): Top Latin Song Wisin (1): Top Latin Song XXXTENTACION (1): Top R&B Album Young Thug (1): Top Collaboration Zac Brown Band (1): Top Country Duo/Group Artist Zach Williams (2): Top Christian Artist, Top Christian Song Zedd (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song
2018 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARD NOMINEE STATISTICS
2018 NOMINATIONS FAST FACTS
ALL-TIME RECORD HOLDERS BY CATEGORY
TOP BBMA WINNERS OF ALL TIME (1990–2017)
2018 NOMINATIONS FAST FACTS
“COULD ED SHEERAN WIN HIS FIRST EVER BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARD THIS YEAR?”
Ed Sheeran, who’s tied with Kendrick Lamar and Bruno Mars for 15 nominations, could win his first Billboard Music Award ever at this year’s show. Sheeran previously received 5 nominations in 2015, and 3 nominations in 2016.
“WILL DRAKE’S RECORD FROM THE “2017 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS” BE BROKEN THIS YEAR?”
Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran tie for the most nominations this year (15). All three artists have the chance to surpass Drake’s record (13) for the artist with the most wins in a single night.
“WILL THERE BE A NEW ALL-TIME RECORD HOLDER FOR MOST WINS EVER?”
Drake, 14-time Billboard Music Award winner, could become the artist with the most wins ever, surpassing Taylor Swift (21). Drake is nominated for 9 awards this year and will take the lead over Swift should he sweep all his categories.
15-time Billboard Music Award winner, Justin Bieber, could beat Taylor Swift’s previous all-time record of most BBMA wins (21), if he wins in 7 or more of his categories. Bieber has 8 nominations this year, crossing over multiple genres.
“WHICH TOP DUO/GROUP NOMINEE WILL WIN BIG AT THE ‘2018 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS’?”
The Chainsmokers, who are nominated for 6 awards this year, have the chance to tie the current record of most BBMA wins by any Duo/Group, currently held by Destiny’s Child with 10, if they take home all 6 wins.
With 11 nominations this year, 2018 Top Duo/Group nominee Imagine Dragonsreceived the third most nominations, including an impressive 2 nods in the Top Selling Song and Top Rock Song categories.
“2018 IS THE YEAR OF ARTIST GENRE CROSSOVERS AT THE ‘2018 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS’”
With Beyoncé nominated for “Mi Gente” and Justin Bieber nominated for “Despacito” in Top Latin Song, a first for them in this category, 2018 has proven to be the year of genre-crossing artists.
ALL-TIME RECORD HOLDERS BY CATEGORY:
TOP ARTIST
50 Cent, Adele,Garth Brooks, Destiny’s Child, Taylor Swift and Usher are tied for the most wins in this category with 2 wins. Swift is a 2018 nominee in this category and if she wins, she will become the artist with the most Top Artist awards.
TOP MALE ARTIST
Justin Bieber is the artist with the most wins (2) in this category, having taken home the trophy in 2013 and 2016. Drake, the 2017 winner for Top Male Artist, is nominated this year and has the chance to tie Bieber for most wins in this category.
TOP FEMALE ARTIST
Adele, Beyoncé, Rihanna and Taylor Swift lead with 2 wins each in this category. Taylor is nominated this year and will become the most decorated Top Female Artist with 3 wins in this category should she take home the award.
TOP DUO OR GROUP
One Direction currently holds the record with 3 wins in this category. The group previously won in 2013, 2015 and 2016.
TOP R&B ARTIST
R. Kelly has the most wins for Top R&B Artist with four. He won the category in 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2001. Usher follows with 3 wins in 1998, 2004 and most recently in 2011.
TOP RAP ARTIST
Drake, LL Cool J, Eminem and protégé 50 Cent are tied in this category with 2 wins each. LL Cool J won Top Rap Artist in 1991 and 1996, Eminem won in 2011 and 2014, while 50 Cent actually won the award twice, years before his mentor, in 2003 and 2005. Drake took home this award in 2016 and 2017, and is nominated again this year, giving him the chance to surpass LL Cool J, Eminem and 50 Cent to become the top winner in this category and be the dominating artist for three years running.
TOP COUNTRY ARTIST
Garth Brooks has won this award three times in 1991, 1993 and 1998. None of the nominees in this category this year have won this award and will be taking home the top country honor for the first time.
TOP ROCK ARTIST
Twenty One Pilots is the first artist to win this award twice and in back-to back years, 2016 and 2017. They are nominated again this year and have the chance to dominate this category for the third year running.
TOP LATIN ARTIST
Romeo Santos and Shakira are tied for most wins in this category with two. He previously won Top Latin Artist back-to-back in 2015 and 2016, while Shakira won this category back-to-back in 2011 and 2012. Romeo is nominated again this year and will become the artist with the most wins in this category should he take home the award for the third time.
TOP CHRISTIAN ARTIST
Chris Tomlin and Hillsong UNITED are tied as leaders in this category with 2 each. Tomlin won this award twice, in 2001 and 2014, and Hillsong UNITED won back-to-back in 2015 and 2016. Hillsong UNITED is nominated this year as well, giving them the chance to surpass Tomlin with most Top Christian Artist wins.
TOP BBMA WINNERS OF ALL TIME (1990–2017):Taylor Swift – 21 wins total, the most BBMA wins of any artist in history; Top Billboard 200 Artist (2011); Top Country Artist (2011); Top Country Album (2011); Woman of the Year (2012); Top Artist (2013); Top Female Artist (2013); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2013); Top Digital Songs Artist (2013); Top Country Artist (2013); Top Billboard 200 Album (2013); Top Country Album (2013); Top Country Song (2013); Top Artist (2015); Top Female Artist (2015); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2015); Top Hot 100 Artist (2015); Top Digital Songs Artist (2015); Top Billboard 200 Album (2015); Top Streaming Song (2015); Chart Achievement Award (2015); Top Touring Artist (2016)
Garth Brooks – 19 wins total; #1 Albums Artist (1991); #1 Country Album (1991); #1 Country Singles Artists (1991); #1 Country Artist (1991); #1 Country Albums Artist (1991); No. 1 Pop Artist (1992); #1 Country Artist (1993); #1 Pop Artist (1993); #1 Country Singles Artist (1993); #1 Country Albums Artist (1993); Country Album of the Year (1995); Artist Achievement Award (1997); Country Artist of the Year (1998); Country Album of the Year (1998); Male Album of the Year (1998); Male Albums Artist of the Year (1998); Country Singles Artist of the Year (1998); Country Albums Artist of the Year (1998); Male Artist of the Decade (1999)
Adele – 18 wins total; Top Billboard 200 Album (2012); Top Pop Album (2012); Top Artist (2012); Top Female Artist (2012); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2012); Top Hot 100 Artist (2012); Top Digital Songs Artist (2012); Top Radio Songs Artist (2012); Top Digital Media Artist (2012); Top Pop Artist (2012); Top Streaming Song (2012); Top Alternative Song (2012); Top Pop Album (2013); Top Artist (2016); Top Female Artist (2016); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2016); Top Billboard 200 Album (2016); Top Selling Song (2016)
Usher – 18 wins total; Artist of the Year (1998); R&B Artist of the Year (1998); Hot 100 Singles Artist of the Year (1998); Artist of the Year (2004); R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (2004); Hot 100 Artist of the Year (2004); Hot 100 Single of the Year (2004); Mainstream Top 40 Artist of the Year (2004); Mainstream Top 40 Single of the Year (2004); Billboard 200 Album of the Year (2004); R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year (2004); R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Artist of the Year (2004); Billboard 200 Artist of the Year (2004); Hot 100 Airplay Single of the Year (2004); Rap Song of the Year (2005); Top R&B Artist (2011); Top R&B Song (2011); Top R&B Album (2011)
Whitney Houston – 16 wins total; #1 R&B Singles Artist (1991); #1 R&B Albums Artist (1991); #1 R&B Artist (1991); #1 R&B Album (1991); #1 Hot 100 Singles Artist (1993); #1 Hot 100 Single (1993); Single With Most Weeks at #1 (1993); #1 R&B Single (1993); #1 R&B Singles Artist (1993); #1 R&B Album (1993); #1 World Artist (1993); #1 World Single (1993); #1 Album (1993); #1 Soundtrack Album (1993); #1 Album With Most Weeks at No. 1 (1993); Billboard Millennium Award (2012)
Justin Bieber – 15 wins total; Top New Artist (2011); Top Social Artist (2011); Top Streaming Artist (2011); Top Digital Artist (2011); Top Pop Album (2011); Top Streaming Song, [Video] (2011); Billboard.com Fan Favorite Award (2011); Top Social Artist (2012); Milestone Award (2013); Top Male Artist (2013); Top Social Artist (2013); Top Social Artist (2014); Top Social Artist (2015); Top Male Artist (2016); Top Social Media Artist (2016)
Mariah Carey – 14 wins total; #1 Hot 100 Singles Artist (1991); #1 Album (1991); #1 Adult Contemporary Artist (1991); #1 Pop Artist (1991); #1 Female Artist (1994); Special Hot 100 Singles Award – Most Weeks at No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100 (1996); Hot 100 Singles Artist of the Year (1996); Special Billboard Hot 100 Award for the most No.1s ever by a female artist (1998); Female Artist of the Decade (1999); Hot 100 Song of the Year (2005); Hot 100 Airplay Song of the Year (2005); Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (2005); Female Billboard 200 Album Artist of the Year (2005); Rhythmic Top 40 Title of the Year (2005)
Drake – 14 wins total; Top Rap Artist (2016); Top Artist (2017); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2017); Top Billboard 200 Album (2017); Top Rap Artist (2017); Top Male Artist (2017); Top Rap Album (2017); Top Hot 100 Artist (2017); Top Song Sales Artist (2017); Top Streaming Songs Artist (2017); Top Rap Tour (2017); Top Streaming Song (Audio); Top R&B Song (2017), Top R&B Collaboration (2017)
R. Kelly – 12 wins total; #1 R&B Artist (1994); R&B Artist of the Year (1996); R&B Artist of the Year (1999); R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (2001); R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Artist of the Year (2001); R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year (2001); R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Artist of the Year (2001); R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year (2001); Hot 100 Producer of the Year (2003); R&B Producer of the Year (2003); Hot 100 Songwriter of the Year (2003); R&B Songwriter of the Year (2003)
Rihanna – 12 wins total; Female Artist of the Year (2006); Female Hot 100 Artist of the Year (2006); Pop 100 Artist of the Year (2006); Top Female Artist (2011); Top Radio Songs Artist (2011); Top Rap Song (Eminem Featuring Rihanna) (2011); Top Streaming Artist (2012); Top Radio Songs Artist (2013); Top R&B Artist (2013); Top R&B Album (2013); Top R&B Song (2013); Chart Achievement Award (2016)
Beyoncé – 11 wins total; Hot 100 Female Artist of the Year (2003); New R&B Artist of the Year (2003); New Female Artist of the Year (2003); Special Hot 100 Award for Most Weeks at No. 1 (2003); Billboard Millennium Award (2011); Top R&B Album (2012); Top Female Artist (2017); Top Touring Artist (2017); Top R&B Artist (2017); Top R&B Tour (2017); Top R&B Album (2017)
Lil Jon – 11 wins total; This count includes 6 Billboard Music Awards he won with the East Side Boyz; R&B/Hip Hop Group of the Year (2003); Independent Album Artist of the Year (2003); Independent Album of the Year (2003); Hot 100 Producer (2004); Hot 100 Single of the Year (2004); Mainstream Top 40 Single of the Year (2004); Hot 100 Airplay Single of the Year (2004); Independent Albums Artist of the Year (2004); Independent Album of the Year (2004); Rap Song of the Year (2005); Top Dance/Electronic Song (2015)
Bruno Mars at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in New York City, on January 28, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
With seven awards for his “24K Magic” album and “That’s What I Like” song, Bruno Mars was the top winner at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, which took place at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018. He became one of the few artists in Grammy history (including Adele, 2017’s biggest Grammy winner) to sweep the top three prizes in one year: Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Mars also won all the other Grammys for which he was nominated this year: Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song. “24K Magic” also took the prize for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, an award that went to engineers Serban Ghenea, John Hanes and Charles Moniz and mastering engineer Tom Coyne.
Performers included Jon Batiste, Brothers Osborne, Alessia Cara, Cardi B, Childish Gambino, Eric Church, Gary Clark Jr., Miley Cyrus, Daddy Yankee, DJ Khaled, Luis Fonsi, Emmylou Harris, Elton John, Kesha, Khalid, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, Little Big Town, Logic, Patti LuPone, Bruno Mars, Maren Morris, Pink, Ben Platt, Rihanna, Zuleyka Rivera, Sam Smith, Chris Stapleton, Sting, SZA, Bryson Tiller and U2.
Presenters included Tony Bennett, Dave Chappelle, Kelly Clarkson, Victor Cruz, Eve, Jim Gaffigan, Katie Holmes, Nick Jonas, Anna Kendrick, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Shemar Moore, Trevor Noah, Sarah Silverman, Hailee Steinfeld, Donnie Wahlberg and U2 members Bono and the Edge.
The award show had several artists speaking out on stage against racism and sexism, including Lamar, Janelle Monáe and Logic. Many celebrities who wanted to show their support of the Times Up and #MeToo movement wore or carried white roses at this year’s Grammy Awards.
Grammy Awards host James Corden delivered an uneven performance that was a lot less inspired than his hosting at the 2017 Grammys. Many of his jokes fell flat, and a prerecorded skit of Corden, Sting and Shaggy doing a New York subway version of Corden’s famous Carpool Karaoke was truly cringeworthy and dragged on for too long. A skit that was much-better received by the audience at the arena was a mock prediction of potential winners for the spoken-word Grammy. The skit showed celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Cardi B and Hillary Clinton reading excerpts from “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House,” which has several unflattering stories about President Donald Trump. Throughout the evening, Corden, “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah and other celebrities on the Grammy stage made direct and indirect criticisms and jokes about Trump and his administration’s policies.
The Grammy Awards are voted on by the Recording Academy’s membership body of music makers, who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers, and engineers.
The following is a sampling of nominations from the Grammy Awards’ 30 fields and 84 categories. For a complete list of winners and nominations, visit www.grammy.com.
*=winner
Album of the Year
“Awaken, My Love!” — Childish Gambino
4:44 — JAY-Z
DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar
Melodrama — Lorde
24K Magic — Bruno Mars*
Record of the Year – given to the artist(s) and producer(s)
“Redbone” — Childish Gambino
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“The Story Of O.J.” — JAY-Z
“HUMBLE.” — Kendrick Lamar
“24K Magic” — Bruno Mars*
Song of the Year – given to the songwriter(s)
“Despacito” — Ramón Ayala, Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, Erika Ender, Luis Fonsi & Marty James Garton, songwriters (Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber)
“4:44” — Shawn Carter & Dion Wilson, songwriters (JAY-Z)
“Issues” — Benny Blanco, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Julia Michaels & Justin Drew Tranter, songwriters (Julia Michaels)
“1-800-273-8255” — Alessia Caracciolo, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, Arjun Ivatury, Khalid Robinson, songwriters (Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid)
“That’s What I Like” — Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip, songwriters (Bruno Mars)*
Best New Artist
Alessia Cara*
Khalid
Lil Uzi Vert
Julia Michaels
SZA
Best Pop Solo Performance
“Love So Soft” — Kelly Clarkson
“Praying” — Kesha
“Million Reasons” — Lady Gaga
“What About Us” — P!nk
“Shape Of You” — Ed Sheeran*
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Something Just Like This” — The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“Thunder” — Imagine Dragons
“Feel It Still” — Portugal. The Man*
“Stay” — Zedd & Alessia Cara
Best Dance/Electronic Album
Migration — Bonobo
3-D The Catalogue — Kraftwerk*
Mura Masa — Mura Masa
A Moment Apart — Odesza
What Now — Sylvan Esso
Best Rock Performance
“You Want It Darker” — Leonard Cohen
“The Promise” — Chris Cornell
“Run” — Foo Fighters*
“No Good” — Kaleo
“Go To War” — Nothing More
Best Urban Contemporary Album
Free 6lack — 6lack
Awaken, My Love! — Childish Gambino
American Teen — Khalid
Ctrl — SZA
Starboy — The Weeknd*
Best Rap Album
4:44 — JAY-Z
DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar*
Culture — Migos
Laila’s Wisdom — Rapsody
Flower Boy — Tyler, The Creator
Best Country Album
Cosmic Hallelujah — Kenny Chesney
Heart Break — Lady Antebellum
The Breaker — Little Big Town
Life Changes — Thomas Rhett
From A Room: Volume 1 — Chris Stapleton*
Best Jazz Vocal Album
The Journey — The Baylor Project
A Social Call — Jazzmeia Horn
Bad Ass And Blind — Raul Midón
Porter Plays Porter — Randy Porter Trio With Nancy King
Dreams and Daggers – Cécile McLorin Salvant*
Best Gospel Album
Crossover — Travis Greene
Bigger Than Me — Le’Andria
Close — Marvin Sapp
Sunday Song — Anita Wilson
Let Them Fall In Love — Cece Winans*
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Rise — Danny Gokey
Echoes (Deluxe Edition) — Matt Maher
Lifer — MercyMe
Hills And Valleys — Tauren Wells
Chain Breaker — Zach Williams*
Best Latin Pop Album
Lo Único Constante — Alex Cuba
Mis Planes Son Amarte — Juanes
Amar Y Vivir En Vivo Desde La Cuidad De México, 2017 — La Santa Cecilia
Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos) — Natalia Lafourcade
El Dorado — Shakira*
Best Americana Album
Southern Blood — Gregg Allman
Shine On Rainy Day — Brent Cobb
Beast Epic — Iron & Wine
The Nashville Sound — Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit*
Brand New Day — The Mavericks
Best Comedy Album
The Age Of Spin & Deep In The Heart Of Texas — Dave Chappelle*
Cinco — Jim Gaffigan
Jerry Before Seinfeld — Jerry Seinfeld
A Speck Of Dust — Sarah Silverman
What Now? — Kevin Hart
Best Song Written For Visual Media
“City Of Stars” — Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, songwriters (Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone), Track from La La Land
“How Far I’ll Go” — Lin-Manuel Miranda, songwriter (Auli’i Cravalho), Track from Moana: The Songs*
“I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker) — Jack Antonoff, Sam Dew & Taylor Swift, songwriters (ZAYN & Taylor Swift), Track from Fifty Shades Darker
“Never Give Up” — Sia Furler & Gregg Kurstin, songwriters (Sia), Track from Lion
“Stand Up For Something” — Common & Diane Warren, songwriters (Andra Day Featuring Common), Track from Marshall
