By Associated Press
Travis Scott and Morgan Wallen made controversial returns on the Billboard Music Awards stage on Sunday, whereas Mary J. Blige was honored for her musical excellence.
Wallen carried out in his first main awards present after he was caught on digital camera greater than a 12 months in the past utilizing a racial slur. After not receiving a verbal introduction, the nation star sat alongside his four-piece band and carried out “Don’t Think Jesus” then his chart-topping “Wasted on You,” a single from his in style challenge “Dangerous: The Double Album.”
Shortly after his efficiency, rapper Pusha T offered Wallen with the highest nation artist award.
“I want to say, ‘Thank God.’ And thank my fans. I got the best damn fans,” mentioned Wallen, who acknowledged his mom for accompanying him as his date to indicate. He additionally thanked for Billboard for inviting him. He didn’t point out final 12 months’s incident, which as soon as discovered the disgraced singer rebuked by the music trade.
“Thank you to my little boy,” he continued. “You inspire me every single day.”
Scott made his first televised efficiency since an enormous crowd surge killed 10 folks and injured 1000’s at his Astroworld Festival in Houston in November final 12 months. The rapper carried out his single “Mafia” in an icy, polar-themed set with closely censored lyrics.
Mary J. Blige obtained the Icon Award for being an influential music maker. The singer, often called the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, was offered the award by Janet Jackson and escorted on stage by Sean “Diddy” Combs – who emceed the present, which was broadcasted reside on NBC from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Blige mentioned she was in a “dream right now” after she obtained the distinction. She spoke in regards to the journey of changing into an icon not being a simple feat throughout her stellar profession.
“I’ve been on this journey for a long time, one that didn’t always look the way you see me now, one that is filled with a lot of heartache and pain,” she mentioned. “But God helped me to channel those experiences and emotions in my music, which is where I started in music.”
Blige was honored by means of a video montage with appearances from Queen Latifah, Gabrielle Union and Taraji P. Henson. Previous award recipients embody Prince, Steve Wonder, Mariah Carey, Neil Diamond, Jennifer Lopez, Garth Brooks, Pink, Celine Dion and Janet Jackson.
“I was ghetto fabulous and I still am,” mentioned Blige, whose Dr. Dre-produced single “Family Affair” topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2001 and had 4 No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. “So ghetto and so fabulous and people were threatened by that. Now, everybody wants to be ghetto fabulous.”
Maxwell paid homage to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” in a efficiency that celebrated the fortieth anniversary of the King of Pop’s 1982 album. The singer took the stage with glowing black gloves and a jacket earlier than he carried out the heartfelt jam “The Lady in My Life.”
Combs honored activist Tamika Mallory with the Revolt Black Excellence Award. He applauded Mallory’s efforts as an organizer of the Women’s March in 2017, being an advocate for gun management and supporter of the Black Lives Matter motion.
“You fight for us on the front lines, and we just have to pay so much respect for you, queen,” Combs mentioned earlier than calling her “fearless.”
After listening to Combs’ gracious remarks, Mallory was nearly moved to tears. She then took the chance to deliver up the lethal mass taking pictures Saturday that left 10 useless in Buffalo, New York.
The white gunman was arrested on a homicide cost after the grocery store assault, in what police known as a hate crime, the place many of the victims had been Black.
“While they arrested the person who did the killing, they haven’t arrested the hate,” Mallory mentioned. “They haven’t arrested the harm and the pain. And if you are not doing anything at this time, you’re actually doing something by being silent. I ask you tonight: Get involved, fight for justice.”
Earlier, Drake was named high artist, male artist, rap artist, rap male artist and rap album for “Certified Lover Boy.” The rapper prolonged his report as essentially the most adorned winner within the historical past of the awards present with 34 wins.
Olivia Rodrigo and Kanye West, often called Ye, took residence essentially the most awards with six throughout a non-televised ceremony. Rodrigo was awarded finest new artist.
Ye made his mark within the faith-based classes – once more: The rapper received high Christian artist for the primary time, however he claimed high gospel artist and gospel track for a 3rd 12 months in a row. He additionally obtained high gospel album for the second time.
The Kid LAROI grew to become a first-time winner, taking residence 5 wins for his track “Stay” with Justin Bieber – whose Billboard Music Awards win depend rose to 26.
Doja Cat got here away with 4 awards. She received high R&B artist and R&B feminine artist for the second consecutive 12 months, together with high R&B album and feminine artist.
Taylor Swift – who has the second most-ever award present wins with 29 – received 4 awards. Bad Bunny obtained two wins whereas R&B duo Silk Sonic, comprised of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, received their first-ever award for high R&B track for “Leave the Door Open.”
Becky G, who launched the album “Esquemas” on Friday, carried out her hit track “MAMIII,” which topped the Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. Ed Sheeran delivered a distant efficiency from Northern Ireland, the place he’s on tour.
Other acts who took the stage embody Miranda Lambert, Meghan Thee Stallion and Grammy Awards darlings Silk Sonic.
Nominees are decided by Billboard chart rankings and winners are chosen primarily based on a number of standards, together with their album and digital track gross sales, airplay and streaming success and touring.