Drake Wins Top Artist, Céline Dion Stuns, and More Incredible Moments at the Billboard Music Awards
The 2017 Billboard Music Awards were jampacked with performances from stars young and old, with everyone from Nicki Minaj to Céline Dion tearing up the stage.
Nicki Minaj kicked off the show with a nine-minute performance alongside a laundry list of co-stars, including the one and only Weezy F. Baby. She came out in a black leather, dominatrix-esque outfit, and she dominated the stage accordingly before ceding the stage to her peers.
Weezy #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/F034bTLcMk
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) May 22, 2017
This was the best part. pic.twitter.com/oLwtmUU3Tt
— SHAWN (@saytruuuth) May 22, 2017
Drake didn’t take the stage with Nicki, but he was one of the big winners of the night, taking home the honors of Top Male Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album. After he was awarded the latter, he launched an epic speech that shouted out both hosts of the show, his Young Money family, and even his dad:
CONGRATS, @Drake ? “Views” was awarded the #BBMAs for Top Billboard 200 Album! ?✨ pic.twitter.com/zAZWBmFMtp
— BillboardMusicAwards (@BBMAs) May 22, 2017
It was quite the night for Drake, who closed the awards show by breaking the record for most Billboard awards won in a single year (13). He saved his most eye-popping moment for his performance, when he rapped alongside the Fountains of Bellagio on the Vegas strip. With the water spraying all around him, Drizzy performed “Gyalchester” off of his new album, More Life, and punctuated the song with fireworks exploding all around him.
Lorde was her usually out-there self, performing her song “Green Light” on a stage designed to look like a karaoke bar:
? ? ?
Furniture cleared ✅
Dancing ✅
Me right now. #LORDExBBMAs @Lorde pic.twitter.com/Eou0UpMBdB
— BillboardMusicAwards (@BBMAs) May 22, 2017
The Notorious B.I.G. would have celebrated his 45th birthday on Sunday, so his old pal Diddy paid tribute to the slain rapper by bringing out his son during a brief speech in the middle of the awards. Diddy also showed off a trailer for the upcoming movie about Bad Boy Records, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop.
[youtube ytid=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtqIL4L8HmE?ecver=1%5D
The Biggie tribute wasn’t the only acknowledgment of the artists we’ve lost. A brief moment of silence was held toward the end of the show for Chris Cornell, the lead singer of Soundgarden who recently took his own life.
Beautiful tribute for legendary icon, @chriscornell ❤️ #BBMAs https://t.co/gkgui7kRnd pic.twitter.com/jxKMY3kCtm
— GIPHY (@GIPHY) May 22, 2017
Céline Dion, who retreated from the spotlight over the last few years to deal with health issues in her family, returned to the Billboard stage to sing her classic hit, “My Heart Will Go On.” Dion’s performance was met by thunderous applause from the audience, and co-host Vanessa Hudgens—who imitated Dion earlier in the night—was on the verge of tears when she had to keep the award show going after Dion shut it down.
?And my heart will go on and on? #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/BqtOYtiVZI
— billboard (@billboard) May 22, 2017
I feel you @Ludacris & @Vanessahudgens. SHOOK. ? #MyHeartWillGoOn #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/0jIqRCb8Zw
— BillboardMusicAwards (@BBMAs) May 22, 2017
Hudgens was a joy throughout the evening, and her rap impressions became a fixture of the show after her early attempt at mimicking Nicki:
Give it up for your #BBMAs hosts, @LUDACRIS and @VanessaHudgens! ? pic.twitter.com/1YTAteZQBS
— BillboardMusicAwards (@BBMAs) May 22, 2017
Here’s the full list of nominees and winners from Sunday night’s awards show. You can catch up on the performances here.
Top Artist:
Adele
Beyonce
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake — WINNER
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top New Artist:
Alessia Cara
Desiigner
Lil Uzi Vert
Lukas Graham
Zayn — WINNER
Billboard Chart Achievement Award:
Luke Bryan
Nicki Minaj
The Chainsmokers
The Weeknd
Twenty One Pilots — WINNER
Top Male Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake — WINNER
Future
Shawn Mendes
The Weeknd
Top Female Artist:
Adele
Beyonce — WINNER
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Sia
Top Duo/Group:
The Chainsmokers
Coldplay
Florida Georgia Line
Guns N’ Roses
Twenty One Pilots — WINNER
Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Beyonce
Drake — WINNER
Prince
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top Hot 100 Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Drake — WINNER
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top Song Sales Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Drake — WINNER
Prince
Justin Timberlake
Twenty One Pilots
Top Radio Songs Artist:
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots — WINNER
Top Streaming Songs Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Desiigner
Drake — WINNER
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
Top Social Artist:
Justin Bieber
BTS — WINNER
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes
Top Touring Artist:
Justin Bieber
Beyonce — WINNER
Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Top R&B Artist:
Beyonce — WINNER
Bruno Mars
Frank Ocean
Rihanna
The Weeknd
Top R&B Tour:
Beyonce — WINNER
Lionel Richie
Rihanna
Top Rap Artist:
J. Cole
Desiigner
Drake — WINNER
Future
Rae Sremmurd
Top Rap Tour
Drake — WINNER
Future
Kanye West
Top Country Artist:
Florida Georgia Line
Blake Shelton — WINNER
Keith Urban
Chris Stapleton
Jason Aldean
Top Country Tour:
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney — WINNER
Dixie Chicks
Top Rock Artist:
Coldplay
The Lumineers
Metallica
Twenty One Pilots — WINNER
X Ambassadors
Top Rock Tour:
Coldplay — WINNER
Guns N’ Roses
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Top Latin Artist:
J Balvin
Juan Gabriel — WINNER
Los Plebes Del Rancho De Ariel Camacho
Maluma
Nicky Jam
Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
The Chainsmokers — WINNER
Calvin Harris
Major Lazer
DJ Snake
Lindsey Stirling
Top Christian Artist:
Lauren Daigle — WINNER
Hillsong Worship
Hillary Scott & the Family
Skillet
Chris Tomlin
Top Gospel Artist:
Jekalyn Carr
Kirk Franklin — WINNER
Travis Greene
Tamela Mann
Hezekiah Walker
Top Billboard 200 Album:
Beyonce, Lemonade
Drake, Views — WINNER
Rihanna, Anti
Twenty One Pilots, Blurryface
The Weeknd, Starboy
Top Soundtrack/Cast Album:
Hamilton: An American Musical — WINNER
Moana
Purple Rain
Suicide Squad: The Album
Trolls
Top R&B Album:
Beyonce, Lemonade — WINNER
Bruno Mars, 24K Magic
Frank Ocean, Blonde
Rihanna, Anti
The Weeknd, Starboy
Top Rap Album:
J. Cole, 4 Your Eyez Only
Drake, Views — WINNER
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 — WINNER
Keith Urban, Ripcord
Top Rock Album:
The Lumineers, Cleopatra
Metallica, Hardwired…To Self Destruct — WINNER
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 — WINNER
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
The Chainsmokers, Collage
Flume, Skin
Kygo, Cloud Nine
Lindsey Stirling, Brave Enough — WINNER
Top Christian Album:
Casting Crowns, The Very Next Thing
Lauren Daigle, How Can It Be — WINNER
Joey + Rory, Hymns
Hillary Scott & The Family, Love Remains
Skillet, Unleashed
Top Gospel Album:
Tamela Mann, One Way — WINNER
Kirk Franklin, Losing My Religion
Travis Greene, The Hill
Tasha Cobbs, One Place: Live
Hezekiah Walker, Better: Azusa – The Next Generation 2
Top Hot 100 Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, “Closer” — WINNER
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!” — WINNER
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!” — WINNER
Top Streaming Song (Audio):
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, “Closer”
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla, “One Dance” — WINNER
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” — WINNER
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” — WINNER
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” — WINNER
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” — WINNER
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” — WINNER
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” — WINNER
Top Country Song:
Kenny Chesney Featuring Pink, “Setting The World On Fire”
Florida Georgia Line, “H.O.L.Y.” — WINNER
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” — WINNER
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 Featuring X Ambassadors, “Sucker For Pain”
Twenty One Pilots, “Heathens” — WINNER
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” — WINNER
Shakira Featuring Maluma, “Chantaje”
Carlos Vives & Shakira, “La Bicicleta”
Top Dance/Electronic Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, “Closer” — WINNER
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” — WINNER
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” — WINNER
Hezekiah Walker, “Better”
