Nobody Had A Better Weeknd Than This Guy

23 May, 2016

Madonna paid tribute to Prince, Kesha earned a standing ovation for her stirring rendition of “It Ain’t Me, Babe” honoring Bob Dylan, and Celine Dion dedicated her Icon award to her late husband at Sunday night’s emotion-packed Billboard Music Awards.

The three-hour live telecast from Las Vegas stuck to its tradition of a performance-heavy annual show featuring top recording stars in spectacular production numbers.

Britney Spears kicked things off, dazzling in a daring red outfit for a medley of her hits.

Canadian singer The Weeknd dedicated the first award to Prince, the Grammy-winning pop superstar best known for such hits as “Purple Rain” and “Let’s Go Crazy,” who died at his Minnesota home in April aged 57.

“I want to dedicate this award to the late great Prince,” The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye), said in accepting the Top Hot 100 Artist award.

Madonna ended the show with a Prince tribute that included “Nothing Compares 2 U,” before she was joined by Stevie Wonder for “Purple Rain” as the audience rose to its feet, arms gently swaying above their heads and singing along.

Earlier, Kesha delivered an emotional rendition of Dylan’s classic in a much-anticipated performance that was nearly canceled by her label in a legal dispute.

Kemosabe Records relented, saying Kesha had assured them she would not use her time as a platform to address her failed legal bid against Sony Corp’s, Sony Music and producer Dr. Luke. Kemosabe, founded by Dr. Luke, is a unit of Sony Music. The singer stood by her word.

While several awards were handed out during the show, including to British singer Adele who won the big prize, top artist and accepted via a video segment, it was performances by the likes of Ariana Grande, Dion, and Rihanna that ruled.

Dion, making her first televised singing performance since the death of her husband, Rene Angelil, tearfully accepted the Icon Award for lifetime achievement, which in a surprise was presented by her son, Rene-Charles.

“I’m so sorry, I don’t want to cry in front of you,” Dion told the audience. She ended by holding her award aloft and declaring, “Rene, this one’s for you, the show must go on,” echoing the title of the Queen song she had just performed.

Other top prizes went to Rihanna in the fan-voted chart achievement award, Justin Bieber for top male artist, Adele for both top female artist and Billboard 200 album, and The Weeknd for R & B song “The Hills.”

Full List of Winners

Top Artist: Adele

Top New Artist: Fetty Wap

Top Male Artist: Justin Bieber

Top Female Artist: Adele

Top Duo/Group: One Direction

Billboard Chart Achievement Award: Rihanna

Top Billboard 200 Artist: Adele

Top Hot 100 Artist: The Weeknd

Top Song Sales Artist: The Weeknd

Top Radio Songs Artist: The Weeknd

Top Streaming Songs Artist: The Weeknd

Top Social Media Artist: Justin Bieber

Top Touring Artist: Taylor Swift

Top R&B Artist: The Weeknd

Top Rap Artist: Drake

Top Country Artist: Luke Bryan

Top Rock Artist: twenty one pilots

Top Latin Artist: Romeo Santos

Top Dance/Electronic Artist: David Guetta

Top Christian Artist: Hillsong United

Top Gospel Artist: Kirk Franklin

Top Billboard 200 Album: Adele, “25”

Top Soundtrack: Pitch Perfect 2

Top R&B Album: The Weeknd, “Beauty Behind The Madness”

Top Rap Album: Meek Mill, “Dreams Worth More Than Money”

Top Country Album: Chris Stapleton, “Traveller”

Top Rock Album: twenty one pilots, “Blurryface”

Top Latin Album: Juan Gabriel, “Los Duo”

Top Dance/Electronic Album: Zedd, “True Colors”

Top Christian Album: Lauren Daigle, “How Can It Be”

Top Gospel Album: Kirk Franklin, “Losing My Religion”

Top Hot 100 Song: Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”

Top Selling Song: Adele, “Hello”

Top Radio Song: Adele “Hello” Walk the Moon, “Shut Up And Dance”

Top Streaming Song (Audio): The Weeknd, “The Hills”

Top Streaming Song (Video): Silento, “Watch Me”

Top R&B Song: The Weeknd, “The Hills”

Top Rap Song: Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”

Top Country Song: Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man”

Top Rock Song: Walk the Moon, “Shut Up And Dance”

Top Latin Song: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdon”

Top Dance/Electronic Song: Major Lazer & DJ Snake Featuring MØ, “Lean On”

Top Christian Song: Hillsong UNITED, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”

Top Gospel Song: Kirk Franklin, “Wanna Be Happy?”

Reuters

Image Billboard twitter

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