Music Arts

The Weeknd takes home 10 honours, including top artist, at Billboard Awards

The Weeknd collected 10 awards on Sunday at the Billboard Music Awards in Los Angeles, including top rated artist, when fellow Canadian Drake was awarded artist of the decade on Sunday.

“I wanna choose this opportunity to thank you, my parents,” mentioned The Weeknd, who entered the present with 16 nominations. The pop star also won top male artist, top Hot 100 track for Blinding Lights and leading R&B album for Just after Hours.

“I am the person I am right now simply because of you. And thank you to my admirers, of system. I do not choose this for granted.”

It was a household affair at the award present at the Microsoft Theater, as Pink twirled in the air in a powerful general performance with her daughter, while Drake accepted the artist of the decade award together with his 3-year-old son.

Drake, who extended his record as the most decorated winner in the history of the awards display to 29 wins, was surrounded by family and buddies who presented him with the award. He walked onstage with his son Adonis holding his hand.

“I wanna dedicate this award to my good friends, to my longtime collaborators … to my wonderful spouse and children, and to you,” he mentioned, wanting to Adonis and picking him up to kiss him.

Drake, still left, accepts the artist of the decade award as he retains his son Adonis Graham’s hand. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/The Associated Push)

Drake placed his to start with song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2009, and given that has logged the most music at any time on the chart, with 232 entrees. He is also logged a document 45 Top rated 10 hits on the Warm 100 and a document 22 No. 1s on the Very hot R&B/Hip-Hop tracks chart.

He was also named leading streaming tunes artist Sunday.

‘Willow, you nailed it’

Pink gained the icon award and was joined onstage by her nine-12 months-previous daughter — exhibiting off their potent gymnastic skills as they spun in the air in a jaw-dropping effectiveness. Identified for her signature aerial and acrobatic moves, Pink was matched by daughter Willow Sage Hart as Cover Me In Sunshine played in the track record, Pink’s tune showcasing vocals from her daughter.

“Willow, you nailed it,” Pink said just after the functionality. “I love what I do and I enjoy the individuals that I get to do it with, and we are quite great at what we do, but it wouldn’t matter if no a person came to see us and participate in with us. So all you men out there … thank you for coming out!”

Pink’s performance was a single of various pre-taped times at the awards demonstrate, which aired on NBC and was hosted by Nick Jonas. Live performances were being held outdoors, in front of feverish viewers associates wearing masks.

Pink, suitable, and her daughter Willow Sage Hart conduct at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

The late rapper Pop Smoke was also a big winner: He posthumously acquired five honours, including major new artist and top rap artist, when his debut — Shoot for the Stars, Goal for the Moon — gained top rap album and top Billboard 200 album, which his mom acknowledged onstage.

“Thank you to the enthusiasts for honouring the lifestyle and spirit of my son, so a lot that he continues to manifest as if he was nevertheless below in flesh,” Audrey Jackson stated.

One more late rapper was also honoured throughout the clearly show. Before presenting leading rap track to DaBaby, Swizz Beatz dedicated a second to individuals who have a short while ago died in hip-hop, together with his shut mate and collaborator DMX. And Houston rapper and activist Trae Tha Real truth, who earned the Modify Maker Award, finished his speech with a strong sentence: “We still gon’ need justice for Breonna Taylor.”

Morgan Wallen wins 3 awards, but banned from taking part

Other winners Sunday included Terrible Bunny and BTS, who each gained four awards and also done. Breakthrough place singer Gabby Barrett received a few awards, which include top rated woman place artist and prime country track for the strike I Hope. The song’s remix that includes Charlie Puth gained top rated collaboration.

“Oh my gosh. Thank y’all so considerably. This usually means so a lot to me,” Barrett stated as she broke into tears. “I’ve been doing for 10 a long time truly tricky. …We have worked so really hard to get listed here.”

One more region star also won large Sunday, even though he was not allowed to take part in the exhibit.

Morgan Wallen, who was caught on camera working with a racial slur earlier this year, gained 3 honours, together with top rated nation artist and leading state album for Harmful: The Double Album, which has experienced important success on the pop and region new music charts in spite of the controversy.

Wallen was nominated for six awards, and Billboard Awards producer dick clark productions stated it couldn’t reduce Wallen from earning nominations, or successful, due to the fact finalists are based mostly on album and digital product sales, streaming, radio airplay and social engagement. The producers did ban Wallen from doing or attending the show.