Drake, Ariana Grande and Cardi B are among the big winners at the Billboard Music Awards. Especially for Drake, it was a memorable evening: the rapper added 12 trophies to his palmares, bringing his total to 27 Billboard Awards. That is a record.
The 32-year-old Drake received the most important prize of the evening, among other things, for the best artist. As a result, the prize passed by the nose of the also nominated Ariana Grande, but she could comfort herself with the prize for best female artist. Cardi B, who was nominated 21 times the most, was allowed to take 12 trophies home.
There were also prizes for BTS, for best duo / group, and Luke Combs, who was named best country artist. Imagine Dragons was named the best rock group. In his acknowledgments, singer Dan Reynolds spoke out against gay conversion therapy, intended to turn gay people into straight men. This therapy is still permitted in a large number of American states.
The Billboard Icon Award went to Mariah Carey this year, who said in her acceptance speech that she had always “felt like an outsider” and “started making music to survive and express herself.” The oeuvre prize went to Janet Jackson, Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder and Cher among others.
Tiësto, the only Dutch nominee, was left empty-handed. He was nominated in the Top Dance / Electronic Song category for his song Jackie Chan in collaboration with Dzeko, Preme and Post Malone, but the prize went to Zedd, Maren Morris & Gray with the song The Middle.
The presentation of the Billboard Music Awards took place at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the presentation was in the hands of singer Kelly Clarkson.