The 2022 Billboard Music Awards was held in Las Vegas this year, and broadcast live on NBC from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Sean “Diddy” Combs was executive producer and host of the festivities that honor the year’s top artists on the Billboard charts in 62 categories.
The program opened with Diddy dancing on the stage alone and then joined by dancers as he performed and welcomed everyone to the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. He was also joined by Jack Harlow singing First Class and later DJ Khaled, “Make some noise” came out to reintroduce Diddy. What?
“I won my first Billboard Award 25 years ago. I’m executive producing the show because I don’t like awards shows. They’re boring.” “I want you to act like you’re at a party.”
He introduced his mother in the first row, “That’s a blessing.” I’m back to make music yawl”.
Diddy said he was not going to follow anything he was told to do. “I told the producers I’m not going to do anything they say.” And if someone decided to rush the stage Diddy said, “If you decide to jump on this stage tonight, I hope you have your affairs in order.”
The first category was Top R&B Artist. The nominees were Doja Cat, Givēon, Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson. Paak), Summer Walker, and The Weeknd. The Top R&B Artist Billboard Award went to Doja Cat. “It’s wonderful to be here tonight with everybody. Thank you, mom. That’s it.”
Silk Sonic followed and performed Love’s Train.
The next category was Top R&B Female Artist. The nominees were Doja Cat, Summer Walker, Megan Thee Stallion, and SZA. The Billboard Music Award went to Megan Thee Stallion. “Everybody in this category is a winner. I feel like we’ve been working hard for a very long time … thank you!
Diddy came back in a wardrobe change and told production to turn off his teleprompter and yelled, “We are free.’ He then had his assistant introduce the next performance, his assistant’s favorite artist, Raux Alejandro who performed Cúrame, MUSEO, and Todo De Ti.
Heidi Klum and DJ Khaled introduced the next category, Top Rock Artist. The nominees were Glass Animals, Imagine Dragons, Machine Gun Kelly, Måneskin, and twenty-one pilots. The Billboard Music Award went to Glass Animals. “Wow, this is cool. It’s really heavy as well.” “We’re officially rock and roll, and I can’t wait to tell my mother. Thank you.”
Fat Joe introduced Florence + the Machine who performed My Love.
The next category was Top Country Duo or Group. The nominees were Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, and Zac Brown Band. The Billboard Music Award went to Dan + Shay. “Oh, my goodness my heart is pounding.” “Thank you all so much for this.” They thanked their family, crew, and fans.
Diddy came back in another wardrobe change. He promised seven. He asked the audience to make some noise for themselves as he introduced the performance by Elle King and Miranda Lambert who performed their hit, Drunk And I Don’t Wanna Go Home.
Diddy shamelessly plugged his alcohol before he introduced Tamika Mallory, one of the leading organizers of the 2017 Women’s March, and was recognized in TIME 100 that year. Diddy said, “We celebrate women who stand up.” “Because sometimes as men we get to the fight late. Diddy awarded Tamika Mallory for her activism. She thanked Diddy and spoke about the shootings that had just taken place. “Get involved. Fight for justice. Thank you”
Latto followed and performed Big Energy.
Liza Koshy introduced the Top Dance and Electronic Album category. The nominees were C418 Minecraft for Volume Alpha, FKA twigs for Caprisongs, Illenium for Fallen Embers, Porter Robinson for Nurture, and Rüfüs Du Sol for Surrender. The Billboard Music Award went to Illenium.
Morgan Wallen performed Wasted on You. His first performance since his scandal.
After a commercial break, Megan Thee Stallion performed Plan B and Sweetest Pie in her barely-there bodysuit. The camera had to censor and cut away from her twerking several times.
Dan + Shay followed with their hit, You.
The Pepsi Mc Drop Award was won by Glass Animals for Heat Waves. “Thanks, this is wicked. Never got anything for doing something the slowest, but we’ll take it.”
Janet Jackson surprised and thrilled the crowd when she arrived to present the 2022 Billboard Icon Award to Mary J. Blige. Over 75 million records sold. “Mary made a commitment to her fans to always be real love.” “We love you, Mary.”
Janet said, “Give it up for my friend and this year’s Billboard Icon Award, Mary J. Blige.” Mary and Janet hugged, and Mary came to the mike. “Look, I’m in a dream right now. Thank you all so much. Janet Jackson. Speaking of icons, you were always one of our biggest impressions coming up.”
“People think icons were born that way, but it doesn’t happen overnight.”
“What an icon means to me is overcoming obstacles.”
“Now everyone wants to be ghetto fabulous.”
“I found my real love. It’s me.”
She thanked God, her mother and family, Diddy, Dr. Dre, her stepfather, her agency, her publicity team, and many more, but ended by thanking her fans and Billboard. “I love you all. Be blessed. Be great.”
Diddy returned in another wardrobe change with French Montana. French introduced Travis Scott who performed Mafia.
Pusha T introduced the nominees for Top Country Male Artist. The nominees were Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, and Morgan Wallen. The Billboard Award went to Morgan Wallen. “I want to thank God and thank my fans. I got the best damn fans.”
Diddy, in another suit, introduced Machine Gun Kelly who performed Twin Flame.
Teyana Taylor introduced the 2022 Billboard Change Maker who fought back against the water crisis in Michigan. She was nine years old. Little Miss Flint, Amariyanna Copeny was honored for her activism. She is the youngest person to ever receive the award.
Diddy returned with a group of students from his new school in his hometown of Harlem before we went to Belfast for a performance by Ed Sheeran. He performed 2 steps.
The next category was Top R&B Album. The nominees were Doja Cat for Planet Her, Givēon for When It’s All Said and Done…Take Time, Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak) for An Evening With Silk Sonic, Summer Walker for Still Over It, and The Weeknd for Dawn FM. The Billboard Music Award went to Doja Cat. ‘Thank you! I really appreciate it. I really, really do.” “I think that everybody deserves this award.”
Becky G followed and performed Baile Con Mi Ex and MAMI.
Billboard celebrated the 40th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller album with a performance of The Lady in My Life by Maxwell. Maxwell ended with, “We love you, Michael Jackson.”
Giveon came to the stage to introduce the last performance of the night. Burna Boy performed Last Last and Kilometre.
Congratulations to all of the 2022 Billboard Music Awards winners. See you next year!
Tanya Hart
AURN.Com Hollywood Live
Follow me on Instagram
Find me on Twitter