Drake, Pink, The Weeknd win massive at Billboard Music Awards

By Associated Press
NEW YORK: It was a household affair on the Billboard Music Awards: Pink twirled within the air in a robust efficiency together with her daughter, and Drake was named artist of the last decade, accepting the respect alongside his 3-year-old son.

Drake, who prolonged his file as essentially the most adorned winner within the historical past of the awards present to 29 wins Sunday, was surrounded by household and associates who introduced him with the Artist of the Decade Award. He walked onstage outdoors the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles along with his son Adonis holding his hand.

“I wanna dedicate this award to my associates, to my longtime collaborators … to my stunning household, and to you,” he mentioned, seeking to Adonis and choosing him as much as kiss him.

Drake positioned his first tune on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2009, and since has logged essentially the most songs ever on the chart, with 232 entrees. He’s additionally logged a file 45 Top 10 hits on the Hot 100 and a file 22 No. 1s on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart.

He was additionally named high streaming songs artist Sunday.

Pink acquired the Icon Award and was joined onstage by her 9-year-old daughter — displaying off their highly effective gymnastic expertise as they spun within the air in a jaw-dropping efficiency. Known for her signature aerial and acrobatic strikes, Pink was matched by Willow Sage Hart as “Cover Me In Sunshine” performed within the background, Pink’s tune that includes vocals from her daughter.

“Willow, you nailed it,” Pink mentioned after the efficiency. “I really like what I do and I really like the those who I get to do it with, and we’re fairly good at what we do, but it surely wouldn’t matter if nobody got here to see us and play with us. So all you guys on the market … thanks for popping out!”

Pink’s efficiency was considered one of a number of pre-taped moments on the awards present, which aired on NBC and was hosted by Nick Jonas. Live performances have been held outdoor, in entrance of feverish viewers members sporting masks.

The Weeknd was readily available to simply accept essentially the most wins of the night time — 10. He walked into the present with 16 nominations, successful honors like high artist, high male artist, high Hot 100 tune for “Blinding Lights” and top R&B album for “After Hours.”

“I wanna take this chance to thanks, my mother and father,” he said. “I am the man I am today because of you. And thank you to my fans, of course. I do not take this for granted.”

The late rapper Pop Smoke was additionally a giant winner: He posthumously earned 5 honors, together with high new artist and high rap artist, whereas his debut — “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon” — received high rap album and high Billboard 200 album, which his mom accepted onstage.

“Thank you to the followers for honoring the life and spirit of my son, a lot that he continues to manifest as if he was nonetheless right here in flesh,” Audrey Jackson mentioned.

Another late rapper was additionally honored throughout the present. Before presenting high rap tune to DaBaby, Swizz Beatz devoted a second to those that have lately died in hip-hop, together with his shut pal and collaborator DMX. And Houston rapper and activist Trae Tha Truth, who earned the Change Maker Award, ended his speech with a robust sentence: “We nonetheless gon’ want justice for Breonna Taylor.”

Other winners Sunday included Bad Bunny and BTS, who each received 4 awards and likewise carried out. Breakthrough nation singer Gabby Barrett received three awards, together with high feminine nation artist and high nation tune for the hit “I Hope.” The tune’s remix that includes Charlie Puth received high collaboration.

“Oh my gosh. Thank y’all so much. This means so much to me,” Barrett mentioned as she broke into tears. “I’ve been performing for 10 years really hard. …We’ve worked so hard to get here.”

Another nation star additionally received massive Sunday although he wasn’t allowed to take part within the present.

Morgan Wallen, who was caught on digicam utilizing a racial slur earlier this yr, received three honors, together with high nation artist and high nation album for “Dangerous: The Double Album,” which has had main success on the pop and nation music charts regardless of his fallen second.

Wallen was nominated for six awards, and Billboard Awards producer dick clark productions mentioned it couldn’t forestall Wallen from incomes nominations, or successful, as a result of finalists are primarily based on album and digital gross sales, streaming, radio airplay and social engagement. The producers did ban Wallen from performing or attending the present.

The Billboard Awards kicked off with a collaborative efficiency by DJ Khaled, H.E.R. and Migos, who introduced the live performance vibe again to life a yr after stay exhibits have been at midnight due to the pandemic. Doja Cat and SZA — accompanied by futuristically dressed background dancers — sang their massive hit “Kiss Me More” inside the venue, where the seats were empty. Alicia Keys, celebrating the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking debut “songs in A minor,” sang songs from the album together with the hit “Fallin’.” The efficiency was launched by former first woman Michelle Obama.

Other performers included Karol G, twenty one pilots, Duran Duran, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jonas Brothers and Glass Animals.

Stars like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Kanye West received honors on the present although they did not attend. Machine Gun Kelly, who began in rap however has had current success on the rock charts, received high rock artist and high rock album.

“I launched my first mixtape 15 years in the past and that is the primary massive stage I’ve ever been invited to simply accept an award on,” he mentioned, kissing his actor-girlfriend Megan Fox earlier than strolling to the stage.

“To the field that society retains attempting to place me, you want stronger materials as a result of you may’t maintain me in it,” he proclaimed.