Top Moments From the 2021 Billboard Music Awards
The Weeknd won big, BTS debuted “Butter” on TV, and Drake brought his son to the stage.
The 2021 Billboard Music Awards were presented on Sunday with a set of performances and special guests. The Nick Jonas-hosted event honored some of the past year’s top artists based on their performance on the Billboard charts and fan interactions, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, and social engagement.
The Weeknd was the biggest winner of the night, taking home ten awards, including the coveted Top Artist prize. Pop Smoke won five, followed by BTS and Bad Bunny with four each. Drake, P!nk, and Trae Tha Truth were also honored with special achievement awards.
Take a look at some of our favorite moments from the show and the full list of winners below:
Live audiences are back
.@DJKhaled, @Hermusicx & @Migos perform "WE GOING CRAZY" at The Billboard Music Awards! #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/ndK2eVj303
— Roc Nation (@RocNation) May 24, 2021
DJ Khaled, H.E.R. and Migos opened the show outside the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles with their track “We Going Crazy” to a live, masked audience. Though we’re still not 100% back to Normal Times, it was nice seeing such a lively performance and an energetic crowd after a year of social distancing.
Alicia Keys being iconic, as usual
.@AliciaKeys serves up flawless vocals at the #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/34OMx6uhn2
— Mike Adam (@MikeAdamOnAir) May 24, 2021
Michelle Obama introduced Alicia Keys, who celebrated the 20th anniversary of her iconic debut album, Songs in A Minor, released in June, 2001, with a powerful medley of “Piano & I,” “A Woman’s Worth,” her Prince cover “How Come You Don’t Call Me,” and “Fallin” – the album’s lead single and her first Billboard Hot 100 no.1. Keys alternated between a white piano, a red keyboard, and a rainbow-colored piano for the show.
“You broke my heart!”
P!nk presented a medley of some of her most iconic tracks, including “So What,” “Get the Party Started,” and “Blow Me (One Last Kiss).” She was joined by her daughter, Willow, for a stunning acrobatic performance of the singer’s latest single, “Cover Me In Sunshine.”
The singer later accepted the Icon Award from none other than Jon Bon Jovi – and revealed she was devastated when she learned the rock star had married Dorothea Hurley in the ‘80s. “I was 8, I ripped your poster off the wall, I replaced you with Sebastian Bach,” P!nk joked. “I’m very glad that you found lasting love, Jon, but you broke my heart! I take this as an apology, and I accept.”
The Weeknd’s evening
The Weeknd performed “Save Your Tears” at a parking lot with a car-coordinated choreography – and no red suit on sight. The singer won ten of the 16 categories he was running for, including Top Artist, Top Male Artist, and Top Hot 100 Artist. During his final acceptance speech of the evening, he thanked his fans and hinted at new upcoming work: “I just want to say, the After Hours are done, and the dawn is coming.”
Bad Bunny brings up the heat
#BadBunny is nothing short of a rockstar at the #bbmas pic.twitter.com/V85iAGF8mT
— NEW?102.7 (@New1027) May 24, 2021
Bad Bunny was also one of the big winners of the night, picking up four awards in the Latin categories, including Top Latin Artist for the second year in a row. Later, the rapper took to the stage in a white fur coat decorated with a matching lobster to perform his alt-rock hit “Te Deseo Lo Mejor,” from his 2020 album El Último Tour Del Mundo – giving us one of the fiercest performances of the show.
BTS debuts “Butter” on TV
BTS performed their latest track “Butter” for the first time on TV straight from a recreated Billboard red carpet and stage in Seoul. The K-pop icons tied with Bad Bunny and took home the awards for Top Song Sales Artist, Top Duo/Group, Top Social Artist (fan-voted), and Top Selling Song for “Dynamite.”
Drake and his son
ARTIST. OF. THE DECADE. ? #DrakeDecade #BBMAs@Drake pic.twitter.com/fgMFt1OpIZ
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 24, 2021
Drake was honored with the Artist of the Decade award and accepted the prize accompanied by his adorable 3-year-old son Adonis – the two were hugging during the entire acceptance speech and the audience couldn’t hide their joy with the moment. With 29 awards, the rapper is the biggest winner in BBMAs history. “The truth is, I’m really bad at taking compliments,” he said. “I’m really self-conscious about my music and even if I do a good job I always wonder how I could’ve done it better.”
2021 Billboard Music Awards Winners:
Top Artist
Drake
Juice WRLD
Pop Smoke
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd [WINNER]
Top New Artist
Gabby Barrett
Doja Cat
Jack Harlow
Pop Smoke [WINNER]
Rod Wave
Top Male Artist
Drake
Juice WRLD
Lil Baby
Pop Smoke
The Weeknd [WINNER]
Top Female Artist
Billie Eilish
Ariana Grande
Dua Lipa
Megan Thee Stallion
Taylor Swift [WINNER]
Top Duo/Group
AC/DC
AJR
BTS [WINNER]
Dan + Shay
Maroon 5
Top Billboard 200 Artist
Drake
Juice WRLD
Pop Smoke
Post Malone
Taylor Swift [WINNER]
Top Hot 100 Artist
DaBaby
Drake
Dua Lipa
Pop Smoke
The Weeknd [WINNER]
Top Streaming Songs Artist
DaBaby
Drake [WINNER]
Lil Baby
Pop Smoke
The Weeknd
Top Song Sales Artist
Justin Bieber
BTS [WINNER]
Megan Thee Stallion
Morgan Wallen
The Weeknd
Top Radio Songs Artist
Justin Bieber
Lewis Capaldi
Dua Lipa
Harry Styles
The Weeknd [WINNER]
Top Social Artist (Fan-Voted)
BLACKPINK
BTS [WINNER]
Ariana Grande
SB19
Seventeen
Top R&B Artist
Jhené Aiko
Justin Bieber
Chris Brown
Doja Cat
The Weeknd [WINNER]
Top R&B Male Artist
Justin Bieber
Chris Brown
The Weeknd [WINNER]
Top R&B Female Artist
Jhené Aiko
Doja Cat [WINNER]
SZA
Top Rap Artist
DaBaby
Drake
Juice WRLD
Lil Baby
Pop Smoke [WINNER]
Top Rap Male Artist
Juice WRLD
Lil Baby
Pop Smoke [WINNER]
Top Rap Female Artist
Cardi B
Megan Thee Stallion [WINNER]
Saweetie
Top Country Artist
Gabby Barrett
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen [WINNER]
Top Country Male Artist
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen [WINNER]
Top Country Female Artist
Gabby Barrett [WINNER]
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood
Top Country Duo/Group
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line [WINNER]
Maddie & Tae
Top Rock Artist
AC/DC
AJR
Five Finger Death Punch
Machine Gun Kelly [WINNER]
twenty one pilots
Top Latin Artist
Anuel AA
Bad Bunny [WINNER]
J Balvin
Maluma
Ozuna
Top Latin Male Artist
Bad Bunny [WINNER]
J Balvin
Ozuna
Top Latin Female Artist
Becky G
Karol G [WINNER]
Rosalía
Top Latin Duo/Group
Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
Eslabón Armado [WINNER]
Los Dos Carnales
Top Dance/Electronic Artist
The Chainsmokers
Kygo
Lady Gaga [WINNER]
Marshmello
Surf Mesa
Top Christian Artist
Casting Crowns
Elevation Worship [WINNER]
for KING & COUNTRY
Carrie Underwood
Zach Williams
Top Gospel Artist
Kirk Franklin
Koryn Hawthorne
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Maverick City Music
Kanye West [WINNER]
Top Billboard 200 Album
Juice WRLD, Legends Never Die
Lil Baby, My Turn
Pop Smoke, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon [WINNER]
Taylor Swift, folklore
The Weeknd, After Hours
Top R&B Album
Jhené Aiko, Chilombo
Chris Brown & Young Thug, Slime & B
Doja Cat, Hot Pink
Kehlani, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t
The Weeknd, After Hours [WINNER]
Top Rap Album
DaBaby, Blame It On Baby
Juice WRLD, Legends Never Die
Lil Baby, My Turn
Lil Uzi Vert, Eternal Atake
Pop Smoke, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon [WINNER]
Top Country Album
Gabby Barrett, Goldmine
Sam Hunt, Southside
Chris Stapleton, Starting Over
Carrie Underwood, My Gift
Morgan Wallen, Dangerous: The Double Album [WINNER]
Top Rock Album
AC/DC, Power Up
Miley Cyrus, Plastic Hearts
Glass Animals, Dreamland
Machine Gun Kelly, Tickets to My Downfall [WINNER]
Bruce Springsteen, Letter to You
Top Latin Album
Anuel AA, Emmanuel
Bad Bunny, El Último Tour Del Mundo
Bad Bunny, Las que no iban a salir
Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG [WINNER]
J Balvin, Colores
Top Dance/Electronic Album
DJ Snake, Carte Blanche
Gryffin, Gravity
Kygo, Golden Hour
Lady Gaga, Chromatica [WINNER]
Kylie Minogue, Disco
Top Christian Album
Bethel Music, Peace
Elevation Worship, Grave Into Gardens
Carrie Underwood, My Gift [WINNER]
We The Kingdom, Holy Water
Zach Williams, Rescue Story
Top Gospel Album
Koryn Hawthorne, I AM
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Royalty: Live at the Ryman
Maverick City Music, Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 1 [WINNER]
Maverick City Music, Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 2
Kierra Sheard, Kierra
Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar
24kGoldn ft. iann dior, “Mood”
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth, “I Hope”
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “ROCKSTAR”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights” [WINNER]
Top Streaming Song
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “ROCKSTAR” [WINNER]
Future ft. Drake, “Life Is Good”
Jack Harlow ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez, & Lil Wayne, “WHATS POPPIN”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”
Top Selling Song
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth, “I Hope”
BTS, “Dynamite” [WINNER]
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé, “Savage”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”
Top Radio Song
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth, “I Hope”
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now”
Harry Styles, “Adore You”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights” [WINNER]
Top Collaboration (Fan-Voted)
24kGoldn ft. iann dior, “Mood”
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth, “I Hope” [WINNER]
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “ROCKSTAR”
Jack Harlow ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez, & Lil Wayne, “WHATS POPPIN”
Top R&B Song
Jhené Aiko ft. H.E.R., “B.S.”
Justin Bieber ft. Quavo, “Intentions”
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
Doja Cat, “Say So”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights” [WINNER]
Top Rap Song
24kGoldn ft. iann dior, “Mood”
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “ROCKSTAR” [WINNER]
Jack Harlow ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez, & Lil Wayne, “WHATS POPPIN”
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé, “Savage”
Top Country Song
Jason Aldean, “Got What I Got”
Gabby Barrett, “I Hope” [WINNER]
Lee Brice, “One of Them Girls”
Morgan Wallen, “Chasin’ You”
Morgan Wallen, “More Than My Hometown”
Top Rock Song
AJR, “Bang!” [WINNER]
All Time Low ft. blackbear, “Monsters”
Glass Animals, “Heat Waves”
Machine Gun Kelly ft. blackbear, “my ex’s best friend”
twenty one pilots, “Level of Concern”
Top Latin Song
Bad Bunny, “Yo Perreo Sola”
Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “Dákiti” [WINNER]
Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin, “RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)”
Maluma & The Weeknd, “Hawái”
Ozuna x Karol G x Myke Towers, “Caramelo”
Top Dance/Electronic Song
Lady Gaga, “Stupid Love”
Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande, “Rain on Me”
SAINt JHN, “Roses (Imanbek Remix)” [WINNER]
Surf Mesa ft. Emilee, “ily (i love you baby)”
Topic & A7S, “Breaking Me”
Top Christian Song
Elevation Worship ft. Brandon Lake, “Graves Into Gardens” [WINNER]
for KING & COUNTRY, Kirk Franklin & Tori Kelly, “TOGETHER”
Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, & Elevation Worship, “The Blessing (Live)”
Tauren Wells ft. Jenn Johnson, “Famous For (I Believe)”
Zach Williams & Dolly Parton, “There Was Jesus”
Top Gospel Song
Koryn Hawthorne, “Speak To Me”
Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music, “Movin’ On”
Marvin Sapp, “Thank You For It All”
Tye Tribbett, “We Gon’ Be Alright”
Kanye West ft. Travis Scott, “Wash Us In The Blood” [WINNER]
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