2021 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS RECAP
As award season continues, the 2021 Billboard Music Awards kicked off at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater. The award show was hosted by Justin Bieber d included multiple categories for music from all genres.
This year, the Weekend dominated, winning ten awards. He was a finalist in 16 categories with the song “Blinding Lights” a finalist in five categories. This brings his career total to 19, placing him in the top five winners of all time behind Drake, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and Garth Brooks. The Weeknd followed up his sweep with a wild performance of “Save Your Tears,” as he swapped backup dancers for automobiles.
Rap star Drake took home artist of the decade and had the crowd in awe as his son accepted the award. The award is based on rankings from the Billboard Hot 100 song chart and the Top 200 albums tally from the 2010s. Drake has broken chart records with 45 songs hitting the Hot 100 Top 10s. Drake went home still holding the record for the most BBMA’s, having received 27 awards.
ARTIST. OF. THE DECADE. 🏆 #DrakeDecade #BBMAs@Drake pic.twitter.com/fgMFt1OpIZ
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 24, 2021
The pop start Pink received the Icon Award this year. The “Raise Your Glass” singer is the 10th person to receive the award, joining Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Cher. The Icon Award is given in special recognition for artists who have impacted music itself and achieved excellence on the Billboard charts.
BTS, one of the biggest acts in the global music industry, took home every honor they were up for, nearly doubling their total number of BBMA trophies in one evening. They made history in every area they were nominated in, and making them the biggest winners of the night.
The late rapper Pop Smoke earned five awards this year. He took home top new artist, top rap artist, top rap male artist, top Billboard 200 album, and top rap album. His mother, Audrey Jackson, took the stage to accept her son’s award for the top Billboard 200 album, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon.
“Thank you to the fans for honoring the life and spirit of my son, so much that he continues to manifest as if he were still here in flesh,” she said. “He created music for the kid who has to sleep four in a room, the kid who has to figure out how to get to school each day so he can graduate and make his mom proud.”
Doja Cat and SZA had us singing our hearts out to their hit song “Kiss Me More.” The night went on to have amazing performances by Alicia Keys, Jonas Brothers, Karol G, and more! Congratulations to all 2021 Billboard Music Awards Winners and Nominees.
