2021 Billboard Music Awards
The 2021 Billboard Music Awards opened live from Los Angeles on NBC with DJ Khalid and H.E.R. performing We’re Going Crazy outside on an air-open stage. Quavo, Offset, and TakeOff joined them, and the audience went crazy along with them.
Host, Nick Jonas followed and welcomed everyone to the 2021 Billboard Music Awards ceremony. “We going to be live here on the plaza and inside the Microsoft Theater.”
Nick then introduced Doja Cat joined by SZA performing Kiss Me More on the indoor stage.
The first category of the evening was Top Hot 100 Artist, and the nominees were DaBaby, Drake, Dua Lipa, Pop Smoke, and The Weeknd
The 2021 Billboard Music Award went to The Weeknd. He accepted the award live and thanked his fans, his family in Toronto, and “I’d like to thank God that I don’t have to wear that red suit anymore.”
Nick then introduced Twenty One Pilots who performed Shy Away on the outdoor stage. The performers did not wear masks, but most of the audience did.
The next category was Top Song Sales Artist, and the nominees were Justin Bieber, BTS, Megan Thee Stallion, Morgan Wallen, and The Weeknd. The 2021 Billboard Music Award went to BTS for Dynamite. BTS accepted the award live on stage from South Korea. “Thank You!”
Nick returned and said, “It’s so good to hear an audience again.” He introduced the Artist of the Millennium Award for Alicia Keys. Michelle Obama spoke about Alicia Keys’ incredible career in a video highlighting her career.
Alicia performed on stage, playing piano, and started with A Woman’s Worth, followed by How Come You Don’t Call Me, and Fallin’.
Top Country Female Artist was the next category. The nominees, Gabby Barrett, Maren Morris, and Carrie Underwood. The 2021 Billboard Award went to Gabby Barrett. Before she broke out in tears she said, “This is a really big deal yawl.” She also won Top Country Song.
Nick returned and said, “I haven’t left my house in almost a year and a half. It’s great to hear the crowd.” Just before AJR performed BANG!
Lena Wade introduced the nominees for Top Latin Artist. The nominees were Anuel AA, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Maluma, and Ozuna. The 2021 Billboard Music Award went to Bad Bunny. He accepted the award live on the outdoor stage and the audience went crazy.
Nick introduced Bon Jovi to present Pink with the 2021 Icon Award. He told of how Pink had a crush on him when she was a little girl. Bon Jovi spoke of Pink’s skyrocketing career and ended with, “Celebrate and honor Pink.”
Pink followed with a performance of Cover Me In Sunshine. She performed with her daughter Willow Sage Hart. Pink then followed with a performance of All I Know So Far, and So What. Bon Jovi then presented the award to Pink. “Thank you this is ridiculous.” “Billboard, thank you. Willow nailed it.” “This is an absolute honor. Dream big because it might come true.”
The next award was Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar, and the 2021 Billboard Award went to The Weeknd. “I want to thank everyone involved in making this wonderful song.”
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis joined the show from Minnesota. They were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the award-winning song Optimistic they wrote and was performed by Sound of Blackness featuring Ann Nesby.
The next performance was delivered by Karol G, she sang Bichota.
Swizz Beatz remembered DMZ and introduced the nominees for Top Rap Song. The 2021 Billboard Music Award went to Rockstar by the DaBaby.
Tina Knowles introduced the Billboard Change Maker Award. The 2021 Change Maker Award went to rapper, ‘Trae tha Truth’ for his community work and activism. He accepted the award live on the outside stage. “Another day another blessing.” He thanked God, his family, his kids, and his team. He also thanked the fans. He also thanked Tina and Beyoncé.
BTS followed with their long-awaited performance live from Seoul, South Korean. BTS performed Butter.
Drake was present the prestigious Artist of the Decade by this friends and family. Drake has won 27 Billboard Music Awards. The numbers have added up for Drake in his meteoric career.
Drake took the stage with his son Adonis. Drake gave him the statue before he began his acceptance speech. “Thank you very, very, very much.” “I’m really subconscious about my music. I rarely celebrate anything.” “For once, I’m sure as hell we’ve done something right.” He dedicated the award to his son.
Bad Bunny performed next, and Nick followed to introduce Chelsea Handler to announce the nominees for Top Rock Artist. The nominees were AJR, Five Finger Death Punch, Machine Gun Kelly, and Twenty One Pilots. The 2021 Billboard Award went to Machine Gun Kelly.
The next performers were the rock band, Glass Animals. The performed their hit, Heat Waves.
The Weeknd followed with his performance of Save Your Tears in a red convertible followed by a line of vehicles in a parking lot.
Top Billboard 200 Album was the next category. The nominees were Juice WRLD, Legends Never Die, Lil Baby, My Turn, Pop Smoke, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, Taylor Swift, folklore, and The Weeknd, After Hours. The 2021 Billboard Award went to Pop Smoke, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon. His mother accepted the award.
Duran Duran joined the show from London. They performed Notorious, Invisible, and Hungry Like the Wolf.
Leslie Odom Jr. announced the Top Artist Award. The nominees were Drake, Juice WRLD, Pop Smoke, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd. The 2021 Billboard Award went to The Weeknd. He thanked his parents, “I am the man I am today because of you.” He thanked his fans again and closed with, “I do not take this for granted. Thank you.”
The Jonas Brothers closed the show with a string of their hits, Leave Before You Love Me with ‘Marshmello’ followed by Sucker For You, Only Human, and What A Man Gotta Do.”
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.
Tanya Hart
AURN.Com Hollywood Live
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