Drake, Sheeran & Despacito are Billboard Awards big winners

The hit song Despacito, hip-hop star Drake and British pop troubador Ed Sheeran are the big winners at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards. Held last May 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the announcement of winners found the Pulitzer Prize-winning Kendrick Lamar with his album DAMN in a tie of six wins each with Sheeran who also bagged Top Artist. 

The No. 1 song honors though went to Despacito, the engaging collaboration among Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber, that also bagged four other trophies. Despacito was named Top Hot 100 Song, Top Latin Song, Top Collaboration, Top Selling Song and Top Streaming Song (Video). 

As everybody now acknowledges and I must say, without objections from anybody, Despacito revived listeners interest in Latin music resulting in a rise in sales worldwide. Note, too, that there has also been an increase in new Latin recordings by big stars in the mainstream. Jennifer Lopez’s latest, which she performed at the Billboard Music Awards, is a collaboration with Cardi B and DJ Khaled titled Dinero. That means money in Spanish.

 Allow me to remind you that unlike other award-giving bodies, the Billboard Music Awards does not rely on the judgment of members or of respected figures in the music industry. There are two categories that are fan-voted. One is the Billboard Chart Achievement Award which went to Camila Cabello whose big hit Havana was also in the running for song honors. 

Ed Sheeran, Top Artist

The other one is the Top Social Artist which was won by the Korean boy group BTS. Truth to tell, I felt very envious seeing BTS clad in Gucci casuals on the prime front row seats during the show and later performing their hit tune Fake Love with such infectious energy. When oh when will this happen to a Filipino act?

Back to the Billboard Music Awards. With the help of data partners Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound Billboard tracks down the same performance of every record released. Ergo, this means that the choice of winners is based on album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay and touring, as in concert tickets sales and social engagement, which means popularity in social media sites. Given this system, Billboard will never come under fire for choosing non-deserving winners. The figures are there for everybody to see.

The award was established by Billboard Magazine, which is considered the “bible” of the music industry and is home to the legendary Hot 100 Chart. This year’s edition covers the period of April 8, 2017 to March 31. Though initially considered an industry show, the Billboard Music Awards has become an important event, viewed worldwide on television and closely followed by music fans from everywhere. This year’s awards night, hosted by a lovely and sparkling Kelly Clarkson, had almost all of the big names present that included a glamorous red carpet pre-show and memorable performances.

Here are some of this year’s winners:

•Top Artist: Ed Sheeran

•New Artist: Khalid

•Male Artist: Ed Sheeran.

•Female Artist: Taylor Swift

•Duo/Group: Imagine Dragons

•Billboard 200 Artist: Drake

•Hot 100 Artist: Ed Sheeran.

•Streaming Songs Artist: Kendrick Lamar

•Song Sales Artist: Ed Sheeran.

•Radio Songs Artist: Ed Sheeran.

Luis Fonsi receives the Top Hot 100 Song award for Despacito — AFP photos

•Touring Artist: U2.

•R&B Artist: Bruno Mars

•R&B Male Artist: Bruno Mars

•R&B Female Artist: SZA.

•R&B Tour: Bruno Mars

•Rap Artist: Kendrick Lamar

•Rap Male Artist: Kendrick Lamar

•Rap Female Artist: Cardi B.

•Top Rap Tour: JAY-Z

•Rock Artist: Imagine Dragons

•Rock Tour: U2.

Top Social Artist winner, BTS

•Dance/Electronic Artist: The Chainsmokers

•Billboard 200 Album: Kendrick Lamar

•Top Selling Album: Taylor Swift, Reputation.

•Soundtrack: Moana.

•R&B Album: Bruno Mars, 24K Magic

•Rap Album: Kendrick Lamar, DAMN

•Rock Album:  Imagine Dragons, Evolve

•Dance Electronic Album: The Chainsmokers, Memories… Do Not Open

•Streaming Song (Audio):  Kendrick Lamar, Humble

•Radio Song:  Ed Sheeran, Shape Of You

•R&B Song: Bruno Mars, That’s What I Like;

•Rap Song: Post Malone featuring 21 Savage, Rockstar

•Rock Song: Imagine Dragons, Believer

•Dance/Electronic Song: The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, Something Just Like This. 

Icon awardee Janet Jackson

And the Icon Award which honored Janet Jackson and her contributions to the growth and development of the music industry. Previous recipients of the Icon were Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Jennifer Lopez and Celine Dion. Janet looked great as she performed a medley of Nasty, If and Throb in what was her first-ever live televised performance in a long nine years.