Drake receive ‘Artist of the Decade Award’ and Weeknd hit the top at 2021 Billboard Music Awards
View(s):On Sunday, artists from around the world gathered at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles in hopes of owning one of those coveted gold microphones. That’s right, the 2021 Billboard Music Awards ceremony happened.
The Weeknd won big on the weekend, scoring the most wins of the night—10, including Top Artist and Top Hot 100 Artist!
Celebrating ‘Father’s Day’ a month early, Drake made the most of the night on Sunday, May 23, accepting his Billboard Music Award for Artist of the Decade with his three-and-a-half-year-old son, Adonis, by his side. The rapper has typically kept his toddler out of the spotlight, but onstage their bond was too adorable.
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- The Weeknd
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- Drake and son Adonis
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- Drake
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- Bon Jovi and Pink
“I want to dedicate this award to my friends. I want to dedicate this award to my long-time collaborators,” the “Hotline Bling” rapper told the audience as his son held on to his trophy. “I want to dedicate this award to all my peers, all your decisions, and the music you make really does have me tossing and turning at night trying to figure out what I should do next. Thank you to my beautiful family.” Drake then picked Adonis up so he could see the crowd.
Fellow Houstonian Tina Knowles-Lawson presented Trae Tha Truth with the Billboard Change Maker Award.
The other biggest attraction at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards was recognising legendry singer Pink for her outstanding musical career
The superstar, 41, was presented with the Icon Award for her outstanding musical career and impact by Jon Bon Jovi.
“When I first heard Pink perform, I was stunned. She had it all — talent, energy, a message in her songs and a stage presence that only the greats have,” the rocker started his introduction.
“The second time Pink stunned me was when I met her when she was about 22 years old. She told me she had a crush on me when she was just 7 years old, and that when she heard that I’d been married, broke her heart. Well, I felt bad and tried to make up for it by sending her a life-size flower arrangement and a pair of my leather pants with a note that said, ‘Now you can finally get in my pants,’” he said, laughing.
He added, “Well ever since then, we’ve been friends — not in that fake music business kind of way, but real friends. And it’s because of that and my deep respect for her artistry and her ever-growing legacy, which I’m thrilled to have been asked to present her with the Icon award.
Other winner highlights include—Megan Thee Stallion won Top Rap Female Artist, Kanye West won Top Gospel Artist plus DaBaby and Roddy Ricch won Top Streaming Song for “Rockstar.”
Performances of the night included 80s popular band ‘Duran Duran’, DJ Khaled, ‘H.E.R. & Migos’ debuting their new single “We Going Crazy,” Doja Cat and SZA taking over the stage with their song, “Kiss Me More” and Michelle Obama presenting Alicia Keys as she graced us with a special medley to commemorate the 20th anniversary of her debut album, ‘Songs In A Minor’. The legendary Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis presenting the equally legendary Sounds of Blackness and Ann Nesby who brought some “Optimistic” vibes to kick off our work week.
Swizz Beatz honoured the hip-hop notables we’ve lost over the past year, including Shock G, Black Rob and Prince Markie Dee of the Fat Boys, Ecstasy of Whodini and DMX. Speaking of hip-hop artists that we’ve lost, Pop Smoke won the Top New Artist, Top Rap Artist and Top Rap Male Artist, among others, posthumously.