2014
Live from the Las Vegas MGM Grand, the 2014 Billboard Music Awards opened with a performance by Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez.
This year’s awards were hosted by rap, actor and entrepreneur, Christopher Brian Bridges, better known as Ludacris. He said although it’s his first time hosting the awards, he still remembers what it felt like when he got his first hit on Billboard.
Billboard is certainly a Titan in the music industry. When you hit the Billboard Music charts you have certainly made it.
Shania Twain gave out the first award of the evening for Top Rock Album. The Billboard Award went to Imagine Dragons for Night Visions. They thanked everyone for the honor and said they wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for all the support.
Next to take the stage was One Republic performing Counting Stars, with Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea performing right behind them.
Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary made a bad joke about Solange in reference to her beat down of Jay-Z before throwing to Luke Bryan singing This is How We Roll.
Next up was Shakira and she took her performance out into the audience and brought her sexy back for sure.
The Top Billboard 200 Album Award was next, and the award went to Justin Timberlake for The 20/20 Experience. He sent a video acceptance speech because he’s out of the country on tour. He also performed an impromptu thank you song surrounded by his crew helping him sing.
The next presenter was Kendall Jenner. Kind of a surprise. She fumbled her lines, and then laughed uncomfortably saying, “guys I’m the worst reader,” but she did complete the introduction to the performance by 5 Seconds of Summer.
Next, Ludacris introduced Carrie Underwood who was there to present the award for Top New Artist, and the Billboard Award went to Lorde. She gave a very gracious and humble acceptance speech.
Next, Ludacris introduced Katie Perry performing on tour from Scotland and in a very colorful costume. Katie sang a birthday song to a young girl from the audience and it just happened to be her birthday. Katie then floated over the audience holding onto a huge bunch of balloons. She had that audience going crazy.
Chris Angel introduced the next performance by Imagine Dragons performing Tiptoe.
Phillip Phillips was up next and introduced the Top Country Artist category. The Billboard Award went to his home-town country friend, Luke Bryan.
As Ludacris began to introduce the Michael Jackson section of the show, Keisha had a Kendall Jenner moment and stumbled through her part, but she recovered as they introduced the original performance of Slave to the Rhythm by Michael Jackson.
It was pretty amazing because at times it really did look like Michael was performing on the stage full of dancers and not just a screen image. The audience looked amazed too.
Top Rock Song was the next category, and the award went to Lorde for Royals. Her second acceptance speech of the evening was shorter than the first, as she thanked her record label and said, “thank you so much. I appreciate it.”
Next, it was Ricky Martin’s turn to take the stage. Ricky’s back on the scene, and he’s taking no prisoners. Go, Ricky.
Ludacris introduced Josh Groban to award the category of Top Female Artist. And the Billboard Music award went to Katie Perry. She sent a video thank you from her Scotland tour, and said, “love you, have fun tonight. Have fun for me.”
The Thank You videos really helped the programs flow. It would be a complete dud if they just said, sorry they can’t be with us tonight. So good for Billboard making sure to fill that hole.
Country singer, Luke Bryan followed with a performance of Play it Again.
Wiz Khalifa came out to introduce the award for Top R & B Song, and the Billboard Music Award went to Robin Thicke and T.I. for Blurred Lies. Robin Thicke’s acceptance speech was very soft spoken. He thanked Pharrell Williams and then his wife Paula Patton saying, “and my wife for her love and support and putting up with me for all these years.” He’s trying hard to get Paula back. We’ll have to wait and see if it works.
Nicki Minaj introduced Lorde performing her new song Tennis Court.
Brad Paisley introduced Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert sang their new duet, Something Bad.
Top Streaming Artist was the next category and an interesting one at that. The Billboard Award went to Miley Cyrus. Miley was also on tour and the third artist that couldn’t attend but sent a video acceptance speech. Of course, she had to do something outrageous and dropped a word that had to be bleeped out, but we’re all come to expect that from Miley.
Christine Teigen introduced her husband John Legend who sang, All of Me.
Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boys was the presenter for the Top Country Song category and the Billboard Music Award Went Florida Georgia Line for Cruise. They thanked Nelly for coming on their song, and they thanked The Lord and their fans for making their dreams come true.
Jordan Sparks introduced her man, Jason Derülo and he was joined by Snoop Dogg as he went into his hit Talk Dirty to Me. He was also briefly joined by 2 Chainz. His first line had to be bleeped out by the censors, but that’s no surprise from 2 Chainz.
Snoop Dogg then performed hosting duties and introduced Miley Cyrus from the Manchester Arena. She was wearing a wild golden frock made of fringe, while she performed her rendition of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.
Next was the Milestone Award. Kelly Rowland came out with a Milestone Award Contestant to introduce this award. The Milestone Award went to Carrie Underwood. She thanked her fans for putting her up there, thanked her husband, and said she loves country music.
So far, the only surprise of the evening is that Beyonce has not received an award. Just saying, I’m surprised.
Up next was Robin Thicke singing the song that is supposed to get his wife Paula back called, Get Her Back. Like I said, he keeps trying. Not sure if this song is going to work. We’ll just have to wait and see if it does anything to get Paula back. Don’t think it will be this song.
The next category was for Top Artist. Ludacris announced the winner was Justin Timberlake. In his second acceptance speech, he was bobbing around with his crew. He said, “I want to thank everybody on earth except Donald Sterling.” He then walked out of the camera’s view.
Ricky Martin and Iggy Azalea introduced the tribute to Jennifer Lopez. Jennifer is the first woman ever to win the Billboard Icon Award. Jennifer then took the stage performing her new song, First Love, then returned to the stage to accept the Icon Award.
Jennifer fought back tears as she thanked her mentors, her family, and her record company. She closed by saying, “have faith, think big, dream big, and know that any is possible.”
She received a standing ovation.
The 2014 Billboard Music Awards was three hours, but it did move along. No surprises, but the performances were amazing.
See You Next Year!
Tanya Hart