The “2017 Billboard Music Awards,” hosted by hip-hop artist and actor Ludacris, and actress and singer Vanessa Hudgens, was an explosive night of must-see, one-of-a-kind musical performances and exclusive television premieres from today’s chart-topping artists. Ludacris and Vanessa brought the fun, and the funny, with their wide variety of talents as they both showed off their comedic chops, singing and dancing skills, and even some rapping from Ms. Hudgens! This year’s show aired live on both coasts from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on SUNDAY, MAY 21, at 8:00 p.m. EDT / 5:00 p.m. PDT on ABC.
Drake surpassed Adele’s previously held (12) all-time record for most Billboard Music Awards in a single night, winning 13 awards including Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Tour, Top Rap Album, Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top R&B Song, and Top R&B Collaboration. Beyoncé won five trophies of her own, for Top Female Artist, Top Touring Artist, Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Tour, and Top R&B Album. Twenty One Pilots won in five categories – Top Duo/Group, Top Radio Song Artist, Top Rock Artist, Top Rock Song, and Billboard Chart Achievement Award Presented by Xfinity. The Chainsmokers won in four categories – Top Hot 100 Song, Top Dance/Electronic Artist, Top Collaboration, and Top Dance/Electronic Song. Halsey took home three awards for Top Hot 100 Song, Top Collaboration, and Top Dance/Electronic Song. Also ending the night with three trophies were Kyla (Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top R&B Song, Top R&B Collaboration) and Wizkid (Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top R&B Collaboration, Top R&B Song). They weren’t the only multi-award winners of the night. Desiigner, Juan Gabriel, Justin Timberlake, Kenny Chesney, and Lauren Daigle each took home a pair of trophies.
The show was filled with iconic moments, with performances and celebrations for every generation. Fresh artists like Julia Michaels and Camila Cabello won over fans with performances of their new singles, as did the legends. Giving her first award show performance in 15 years, Cher had the audience on their feet, delivering electrifying renditions of her classic hits “Believe” and “If I Could Turn Back Time.” She graciously accepted the ICON Award, presented to her by Gwen Stefani, and gave a powerful speech about her unparalleled career and how she has been able to live out her childhood dream for the past fifty-three years. Cher told the audience, “I have wanted to do what I do since I was four years old, and I’ve been doing this for fifty-three years.” Last year’s ICON Award recipient, Celine Dion, sparkled beneath an elaborate chandelier, belting out her hit single “My Heart Will Go On,” in celebration of the 20th anniversary of “Titanic.”
Making a very special appearance, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Biggie’s son, Christopher Wallace, on what would have been the 45th birthday of Notorious B.I.G., introduced a clip of the 1997 Billboard Music Awards when Diddy presented Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace, with the “Best R&B Album” trophy won by her late son. Following the clip, Diddy unveiled a never-before-seen trailer for his new Apple Music documentary “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story.”
Nicki Minaj, having recently just broken Aretha Franklin’s record for female artist with the most Billboard Hot 100 Hits, opened the show with an explosive 10-minute performance and was joined on stage by Lil Wayne, David Guetta, and Jason Derulo as she performed a medley of “No Frauds,” “Light My Body Up,” Swalla,” and “Regret In Your Tears.” Later in the evening, against a peaceful ocean background, Miley Cyrus performed her popular new single “Malibu” for the first time to a worldwide television audience.
Perhaps the most unique performance came from the evening’s biggest winner, Drake, who performed live from the middle of the Bellagio fountains, surrounded by the world-famous water displays and equally powerful pyrotechnics. Audiences in the arena, and on the Vegas strip, were mesmerized as he navigated the scene while rapping “Gyalchester” off his new album “More Life.”
Lorde’s intimate rendition of “Green Light” had the crowd dancing and singing along, while Halsey’s “Now or Never” performance was filled with both flower and fire power. Ed Sheeran delivered a heartfelt rendition of his new song “Castle on the Hill” from a sold-out performance in Santiago, Chile.
Imagine Dragons delivered touching remarks in memory of the late Soundgarden and Audioslave Frontman Chris Cornell, before giving a powerful performance of their new song, “Believer.” Fellow rock artists, and multi-nominees, The Chainsmokers also took to the stage to perform their hit “Young.”
Country music was also well represented throughout the evening, with Sam Hunt giving a stunning performance of “Body Like a Back Road” and Florida Georgia Line being joined by John Legend for a unique melding of their songs “Surefire” and “H.O.L.Y.”
The final performance of the evening came from Bruno Mars, who gave a sultry delivery of his single “Versace on the Floor” from the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam.
The musical acts weren’t the only stars taking over the stage at this year’s show. Presenters throughout the broadcast included Kate Beckinsale, Mark Cuban, Noah Cyrus, Alexandra Daddario, DJ Khaled, Josh Duhamel, Ansel Elgort, Sara Foster, G-Eazy, Kevin Hart, Ed Helms, Prince Michael Jackson, Rachel Lindsay, Julia Michaels, Lea Michele, Olivia Munn, Rita Ora, Logan Paul, Rachel Platten, Bebe Rexha, Nicole Scherzinger, Miss America 2017 Savvy Shields, Jussie Smollett, Hailee Steinfeld, Lindsey Stirling, and Ashley Tisdale.
See below for a full list of winners.
ARTIST AWARDS
TOP ARTIST:
Adele
Beyoncé
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
**Drake
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top New Artist:
Alessia Cara
Desiigner
Lil Uzi Vert
Lukas Graham
**Zayn
Billboard Chart Achievement Award Presented by Xfinity:
Luke Bryan
Nicki Minaj
The Chainsmokers
The Weeknd
**Twenty One Pilots
Top Male Artist:
Justin Bieber
**Drake
Future
Shawn Mendes
The Weeknd
Top Female Artist:
Adele
**Beyoncé
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Sia
Top Duo/Group:
The Chainsmokers
Coldplay
Florida Georgia Line
Guns N’ Roses
**Twenty One Pilots
Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Beyoncé
**Drake
Prince
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top Hot 100 Artist:
The Chainsmokers
**Drake
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top Song Sales Artist:
The Chainsmokers
**Drake
Prince
Justin Timberlake
Twenty One Pilots
Top Radio Songs Artist:
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Rihanna
**Twenty One Pilots
Top Streaming Songs Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Desiigner
**Drake
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
Top Social Artist:
Justin Bieber
**BTS
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes
Top Touring Artist:
Justin Bieber
**Beyoncé
Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Top R&B Artist:
**Beyoncé
Bruno Mars
Frank Ocean
Rihanna
The Weeknd
Top R&B Tour
**Beyoncé
Lionel Richie
Rihanna
Top Rap Artist:
- Cole
Desiigner
**Drake
Future
Rae Sremmurd
Top Rap Tour
**Drake
Future
Kanye West
Top Country Artist:
Florida Georgia Line
**Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
Chris Stapleton
Jason Aldean
Top Country Tour
Luke Bryan
**Kenny Chesney
Dixie Chicks
Top Rock Artist:
Coldplay
The Lumineers
Metallica
**Twenty One Pilots
X Ambassadors
Top Rock Tour
**Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Top Latin Artist:
J Balvin
**Juan Gabriel
Los Plebes Del Rancho De Ariel Camacho
Maluma
Nicky Jam
Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
**The Chainsmokers
Calvin Harris
Major Lazer
DJ Snake
Lindsey Stirling
Top Christian Artist:
**Lauren Daigle
Hillsong Worship
Hillary Scott & the Family
Skillet
Chris Tomlin
Top Gospel Artist:
Jekalyn Carr
**Kirk Franklin
Travis Greene
Tamela Mann
Hezekiah Walker
ALBUM AWARDS
Top Billboard 200 Album:
Beyoncé “Lemonade”
**Drake “Views”
Rihanna “Anti”
Twenty One Pilots “Blurryface”
The Weeknd “Starboy”
Top Soundtrack/Cast Album:
**“Hamilton: An American Musical”
“Moana”
“Purple Rain”
“Suicide Squad: The Album”
“Trolls”
Top R&B Album
**Beyoncé “Lemonade”
Bruno Mars “24K Magic”
Frank Ocean “Blonde”
Rihanna “Anti”
The Weeknd “Starboy”
Top Rap Album:
- Cole “4 Your Eyez Only”
**Drake “Views”
Kevin Gates “Isla”
DJ Khaled “Major Key”
A Tribe Called Quest “We Got It From Here…Thank You For Your Service”
Top Country Album:
Jason Aldean “They Don’t Know”
Florida Georgia Line “Dig Your Roots”
Blake Shelton “If I’m Honest”
**Chris Stapleton “Traveller”
Keith Urban “Ripcord”
Top Rock Album:
The Lumineers “Cleopatra”
**Metallica “Hardwired…To Self Destruct”
Radiohead “A Moon Shaped Pool”
Red Hot Chili Peppers “The Getaway”
Twenty One Pilots “Blurryface”
Top Latin Album:
J Balvin “Energia”
CNCO “Primera Cita”
**Juan Gabriel “Los Duo 2”
Juan Gabriel “Vestido De Etiqueta: Por Eduardo Magallanes”
Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho “Recuerden Mi Estilo”
Top Dance/Electronic Album
The Chainsmokers “Bouquet (EP)”
The Chainsmokers “Collage (EP)”
Flume “Skin”
Kygo “Cloud Nine”
**Lindsey Stirling “Brave Enough”
Top Christian Album:
Casting Crowns “The Very Next Thing”
**Lauren Daigle “How Can It Be”
Joey + Rory “Hymns”
Hillary Scott & The Family “Love Remains”
Skillet “Unleashed”
Top Gospel Album:
**Tamela Mann “One Way”
Kirk Franklin “Losing My Religion”
Travis Greene “The Hill”
Tasha Cobbs “One Place: Live”
Hezekiah Walker “Better: Azusa- The Next Generation 2”
SONG AWARDS
Top Hot 100 Song:
**The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla “One Dance”
Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”
Twenty One Pilots “Heathens”
Top Selling Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla “One Dance”
**Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”
Twenty One Pilots “Heathens”
Top Radio Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla “One Dance”
Sia Featuring Sean Paul “Cheap Thrills”
**Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”
Top Streaming Song (Audio):
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
**Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla “One Dance”
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty “Broccoli”
Rihanna “Needed Me”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
Top Streaming Song (Video):
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
**Desiigner “Panda”
Zay Hilfigerr & Zayion McCall “JuJu On That Beat (TZ Anthem)
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane “Black Beatles”
Twenty One Pilots “Heathens”
Top Collaboration
**The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla “One Dance”
Sia Featuring Sean Paul “Cheap Thrills”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
Top R&B Song:
**Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla “One Dance”
Bruno Mars “24K Magic”
Rihanna “Needed Me”
Rihanna Featuring Drake “Work”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
Top R&B Collaboration
**Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla “One Dance”
PARTYNEXTDOOR Featuring Drake “Come And See Me”
Rihanna Featuring Drake “Work”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “I Feel It Coming”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
Top Rap Song:
**Desiigner “Panda”
Drake “Fake Love”
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty “Broccoli”
Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert “Bad And Boujee”
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane “Black Beatles”
Top Rap Collaboration
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty “Broccoli”
Zay Hilfigerr & Zayion McCall “JuJu On That Beat (TZ Anthem)
Machine Gun Kelly & Camila Cabello “Bad Things”
Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert “Bad and Boujee”
**Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane “Black Beatles”
Top Country Song:
Kenny Chesney Featuring Pink “Setting The World On Fire”
**Florida Georgia Line “H.O.L.Y.”
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw “May We All”
Little Big Town “Better Man”
Keith Urban “Blue Ain’t Your Color”
Top Country Collaboration
Dierks Bentley Featuring Elle King “Different For Girls”
**Kenny Chesney Featuring Pink “Setting The World On Fire”
Eric Church Featuring Rhiannon Giddens “Kill A Word”
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw “May We All”
Chris Young Featuring Vince Gill “Sober Saturday Night”
Top Rock Song:
Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa & Imagine Dragons with Logic & Ty Dolla $ign Feat. X Ambassadors “Sucker For Pain”
**Twenty One Pilots “Heathens”
Twenty One Pilots “Ride”
Twenty One Pilots “Stressed Out”
X Ambassadors “Unsteady”
Top Latin Song:
Daddy Yankee “Shaky Shaky”
Enrique Iglesias Featuring Wisin “Duele El Corazon”
**Nicky Jam “Hasta El Amanecer”
Shakira Featuring Maluma “Chantaje”
Carlos Vives & Shakira “La Bicicleta”
Top Dance/Electronic Song:
**The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Calvin Harris Featuring Rihanna “This Is What You Came For”
Major Lazer Featuring Justin Bieber & MO “Cold Water”
DJ Snake Featuring Justin Bieber “Let Me Love You”
Top Christian Song:
Lauren Daigle “Trust In You”
**Hillary Scott & The Family “Thy Will”
Skillet “Feel Invincible”
Ryan Stevenson Featuring GabeReal “Eye Of The Storm”
Zach Williams “Chain Breaker”
Top Gospel Song:
Jekalyn Carr “You’re Bigger”
Tasha Cobbs Featuring Kierra Sheard “Put A Praise On It”
Kirk Franklin “Wanna Be Happy??”
**Travis Greene “Made A Way”
Hezekiah Walker “Better”
