Travis Scott and Morgan Wallen made a controversial return to the Billboard Music Awards stage on Sunday, while Mary J Blige was honored for her musical excellence.
Wallen made his first major awards show appearance since being caught on camera using a racial slur more than a year ago. After not receiving a verbal introduction, the country star performed “Don’t Think Jesus” with his four-piece band and then the chart-topping single “Wasted on You” from his popular project “Dangerous: The Double Album”. Did. ,
Soon after his performance, rapper Pusha T awarded Wallen the Top Country Artist award.
“I want to say, ‘Thank God.’ And thank you to my fans. I’ve got the best fans,” said Wallen, who accepted her mother as a show date with her. She also thanked Billboard for inviting her over. She recalled last year’s event. Not to mention, in which the once disgraced singer was reprimanded by the music industry.
“Thank you my little boy,” he continued. “You inspire me every single day.”
Scott made his first televised appearance since a massive crowd at his Astroworld festival in Houston last November killed 10 and injured thousands. The rapper performed his single “Mafia” in an icy, Polar-themed set with heavily censored lyrics.
Mary J Blige received the Icon Award for being an influential music producer. The singer, known as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, was presented with the award by Janet Jackson and escorted on stage by Sean “Diddy” Combs – who attended the show, which was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Los Angeles. was broadcast live on NBC. Vegas.
Blige said she was “in a dream right now” after receiving the honor. She spoke about the journey of becoming an icon during her illustrious career which was not an easy feat.
“I’ve been on this journey for a long time that didn’t always look the way you see me now, one that’s filled with a lot of heartache and pain,” she said. “But God helped me channel those experiences and feelings into my music from where I started in music.”
Blige was honored via video montage with the presence of Queen Latifah, Gabrielle Union and Taraji P. Henson. Past award recipients have included Prince, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Neil Diamond, Jennifer Lopez, Garth Brooks, Pink, Celine Dion and Janet Jackson.
“I was ghetto splendid and I still am,” said Blige, whose Dr. Dre-produced single “Family Affair” topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2001 and was the first of four #1 albums on the Billboard 200. “So much ghetto and so fabulous and people were intimidated by it. Now, everybody wants to be a fabulous ghetto.”
Maxwell paid tribute to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” at a performance commemorating the 40th anniversary of the King of Pop’s 1982 album. The singer took the stage with a pair of shiny black gloves and a jacket before performing on the heartfelt jam “The Lady in My Life.”
Combs honored activist Tamika Mallory with the Revolt Black Excellence Award. She commended Mallory’s efforts as an organizer of the Women’s March in 2017, being an advocate for gun control and a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.
“You fight for us on the front lines, and we just have so much respect for you, Queen,” Combs said before calling her “fearless.”
After hearing Combs’ kind comment, Mallory almost cried. He then took the opportunity to bring to the fore the deadly mass shooting that took place on Saturday in Buffalo, New York, in which 10 people were killed.
The white gunman was arrested on charges of murder after a supermarket attack, which police called a hate crime, where most of the victims were black.
“While they arrested the murderer, they didn’t arrest the haters,” Mallory said. “They haven’t arrested harm and pain. And if you’re not doing anything at the moment, you’re really doing something by keeping quiet. I ask you tonight: Join us, fight for justice.”
Previously, Drake was named Top Artist, Male Artist, Rap Artist, Rap Male Artist and Rap Album for “Certified Boyfriend Boy”. The rapper extended his record as the most decorated winner in award show history with 34 wins.
Olivia Rodrigo and Kanye West, better known as Ye, won six awards during a non-television ceremony. Rodrigo was awarded the Best New Artist.
You made your mark in the faith-based categories — again: the rapper won Top Christian Artist for the first time, but he also claimed Top Gospel Artist and Gospel Song for the third year in a row. They also got top gospel album for the second time.
THE KIDS LAROI became the first winner of a domestic award for their song “Stay” with Justin Bieber – raising their Billboard Music Award winnings to 26.
Doja Cat came out with four awards. She won Top R&B Artist and R&B Female Artist for the second year in a row with Top R&B Album and Female Artist.
Taylor Swift – who has the second most awards show wins with 29 – won four awards. Bad Bunny took two wins, while R&B duo Silk Sonic, consisting of Bruno Mars and Anderson. Pak won his first award for Top R&B Song for “Leave the Door Open”.
Amariana Copeni shows some nervousness after receiving the Changemaker Award for her community efforts in the Flint water crisis that began in 2014. Now 14-year-old Copeni, better known as Little Miss Flint, often bursts into laughter while reading the teleprompter on stage.
“I don’t work for admiration and clout,” Copeni said. “I do it for kids back home in Flint who are still being poisoned by water,” she continued. The award was presented to him by Teyana Taylor.
Becky G, who released the album “Esquemas” on Friday, performed “Bel Con Mi X” and her hit song “MAMIIII”, which topped Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. Ed Sheeran gave a remote performance from Northern Ireland, where he is on tour.
Other acts to appear on stage include Miranda Lambert, Meghan Thay Stallion and Grammy Awards darling Silk Sonic.
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