The 2022 Billboard Music Awards aired live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas last night (May 15th), celebrating artists of all genres under one roof.
Diddy, the rapper-billionaire with many nicknames including Love, hosted the event and came prepared with outfit changes and a dance number to open the show. Joined by rapper-singer Bryson Tiller for their new track “Gotta Move On,” Diddy did some choreographed steps and was later accompanied by Jack Harlow, who performed his hit “First Class.” Christian Combs, a.k.a. King Combs—Diddy’s son—Teyana Taylor and her daughter Junie helped Diddy perform the classic “Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems” before Puffy turned to his hosting duties.
The night was full of notable moments, including Doja Cat taking home awards in the R&B categories, Diddy and the City Girls going off the teleprompter, Morgan Wallen and Travis Scott making award show appearances after having controversial moments of their own, Mary J. Blige being honored by Janet Jackson and much more.
Although these particular awards weren’t televised, Olivia Rodrigo won Top New Artist, Top Female Artist, and Top Hot 100 Artist and Drake won Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist as well as Top Rap Album.
HIGHLIGHTS
JT of the City Girls experienced a bit of a wardrobe malfunction when waking towards the front of the stage beside Yung Miami to hand out an award. She also went off script a bit, but kept a smile through it all.
Megan Thee Stallion took home the award for Top Rap Female Artist, but was visibly surprised by her win. So much that she held a shocked face before going on stage to accept her nod. This is the second year Meg has won this award.
At one point, Diddy requested the telepromter be turned off and renamed the venue Club Love for the night.
Morgan Wallen, who was at the center of controversy following a video surfacing where he used the N-word, performed two tracks—”Don’t Think Jesus” and “Wasted on You”—and also won the award for Top Male Country Artist.
Travis Scott made his first award show appearance since the mass casualty event that occurred at his Astroworld Festival back in November. Travis’ comeback, welcomed by Diddy and French Montana, included a “highly stylized performance” of two new songs, “Mafia” and “Lost Forever.”
Janet Jackson honored Mary J. Blige with the Billboard Icon Award.
Maxwell performed a tribute to Michael Jackson.
Activist Tamika Mallory was honored by Diddy and given the Revolt award for Black Excellence.
WINNERS
Top Artist: Drake
Top New Artist: Olivia Rodrigo
Top Male Artist: Drake
Top Female Artist: Olivia Rodrigo
Top Duo/Group: BTS
Top Billboard 200 Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Artist: Olivia Rodrigo
Top Streaming Songs Artist: Olivia Rodrigo
Top Song Sales Artist: BTS
Top Radio Songs Artist: Olivia Rodrigo
Top Billboard Global 200 Artist (NEW): Olivia Rodrigo
Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Artist (NEW): Ed Sheeran
Top Tour: The Rolling Stones (No Filter Tour)
Top R&B Artist: Doja Cat
Top R&B Male Artist: The Weeknd
Top R&B Female Artist: Doja Cat
Top R&B Tour: Bruno Mars (Bruno Mars at Park MGM)
Top Rap Artist: Drake
Top Rap Male Artist: Drake
Top Rap Female Artist: Megan Thee Stallion
Top Rap Tour: Omarion and Bow Wow (The Millennium Tour 2021)
Top Country Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Country Male Artist: Morgan Wallen
Top Country Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Country Duo/Group: Dan + Shay
Top Country Tour: Eric Church (Gather Again Tour)
Top Rock Artist: Glass Animals
Top Rock Tour: The Rolling Stones (No Filter Tour)
Top Latin Artist: Bad Bunny
Top Latin Male Artist: Bad Bunny
Top Latin Female Artist: Kali Uchis
Top Latin Duo/Group: Eslabon Armado
Top Latin Tour: Los Bukis (Una Historia Cantada Tour)
Top Dance/Electronic Artist: Lady Gaga
Top Christian Artist: Ye (Kanye West)
Top Gospel Artist: Ye (Kanye West)
ALBUM AWARDS
Top Billboard 200 Album: Olivia Rodrigo SOUR
Top Soundtrack: Encanto
Top R&B Album: Doja Cat Planet Her
Top Rap Album: Drake Certified Lover Boy
Top Country Album: Taylor Swift Red (Taylor’s Version)
Top Rock Album: twenty one pilots Scaled And Icy
Top Latin Album: Karol G KG0516
Top Dance/Electronic Album: Illenium Fallen Embers
Top Christian Album: Ye (Kanye West) Donda
Top Gospel Album: Ye (Kanye West) Donda
SONG AWARDS
Top Hot 100 Song: The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber “STAY”
Top Streaming Song: The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber “STAY”
Top Selling Song: BTS “Butter”
Top Radio Song: Dua Lipa “Levitating”
Top Collaboration: The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber “STAY”
Top Billboard Global 200 Song (NEW): The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber “STAY”
Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Song (NEW): The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber “STAY”
Top Viral Song (NEW): Doja Cat ft. SZA “Kiss Me More”
Top R&B Song: Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak) “Leave The Door Open”
Top Rap Song: Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow “Industry Baby”
Top Country Song: Walker Hayes “Fancy Like”
Top Rock Song: Måneskin “Beggin’”
Top Latin Song: Kali Uchis “telepatía”
Top Dance/Electronic Song: Elton John and Dua Lipa “Cold Heart – PNAU Remix”
Top Christian Song: Ye (Kanye West) “Hurricane”
Top Gospel Song: Ye (Kanye West) “Hurricane”
PERFORMANCES
Donned in red 1970s-themed suits, Silk Sonic—Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak—performed “Love’s Train” with backup singers and a full band.
Reggaeton singer Rauw Alexandro performed a medley of his songs “Cúrame,” “Museo” and “Todo De Ti.”
Florence + the Machine performed “My Love.”
Elle King and Mirando Lambert performed their collab “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”
Latto brought the energy with her charting hit “Big Energy.”
Morgan Wallen did an acoustic performance of “Don’t Think Jesus” and “Wasted on You.”
Dressed in all black, Megan Thee Stallion performed a medley of her hit “Plan B” alongside her backup dancers and “Sweetest Pie.”
Dan + Shay performed “You.”
Machine Gun Kelly performed “Twin Flame.”
Ed Sheeran performed “2step” live from Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Becky G performed “Baile Con Mi Ex.”
Maxwell gave a tribute to Michael Jackson, performing “The Lady in My Life.”
Burna Boy performed his new single “Last Last,” featuring a sample of Toni Braxon‘s “He Wasn’t Man Enough.” He closed out the show with a marching band and did his track “Kilometre.”
TV BROADCAST AUDIO