Drake wins big at BBMA

Hip-hop star Drake is a big fan of Game of Thrones. So big, in fact, that he just had to give a shout out to Arya Stark during one of his several acceptance speeches at the recent Billboard Music Awards (BBMA) that was held at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on May 1.

Said Drake, “Shout out to Arya Stark for putting in that work last week.” As I am sure all those who have seen the episode will surely agree, it was quite a piece of work and also one of my favorite moments in the series. But for the sake of all those who still have to watch number three in season eight of the show, I will not tell you what it was about. Now back to Drake.

Drake was the winningest guy of the evening at the BBMA. He netted 12 trophies in all for his album Scorpion. This is the most any single artist has won in the BBMA history. Nominations top-notcher Cardi B, (she got a whopping 21 noms) did okay with six wins, most of them shared with Girls Like You collaborators, Maroon 5.

The real big winner of the evening though was Billboard itself which came up with one truly fantastic star-studded show. Being a credible award-giver certainly helps and being tied with a publication considered the bible of the music industry with that legendary Hot 100 listing brings on the big names. The Grammys and the American Music Awards organizers must be green with envy.

A glowing, pink-splashed Taylor Swift opened the show with her latest single ME! with an umbrella flying Brandon Urie of Panic! at the Disco in tow. Madonna tangoed to Meddellin with Latino star Maluma. Host Kelly Clarkson did double duty as performer with a medley of big hits by other artists like Boo’d Up, High Hopes, Tequila, etc., etc.

Mariah Carey’s delivery of her hits over the years, from Emotions to A-No No before receiving her Icon Award was flawless. So was Christian music crossover artist Lauren Daigle’s rendition of You Say. The Korean group BTS featuring Halsey impressed with its precise choreography. And Ariana Grande, also in a pink setting, did 7 Rings.

The number though that I believe a lot of viewers are still talking about is the one by the Jonas Brothers. Nick did Jealous, Joe came in with Cake by the Ocean and then oldest brother Kevin joined them for their new hit tune Sucker. It was the first time that all three Jonases were seen together on stage. I guess it was promo time for their upcoming US tour.

And that was not all. Seen among the audience were Nick’s wife, actress Priyanka Chopra, Kevin’s wife, reality star Dani Jonas, and which brings us to Game of Thrones again, Sophie Turner, the Lady Sansa of Winterfell, who is engaged to Joe.

And now the winners of the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.

The Artist Awards:

• Top Artist: Drake

• Top New Artist: Juice Wrld

• Billboard Chart Achievement Award: Ariana Grande

• Male Artist: Drake

• Female Artist: Ariana Grande

• Duo or Group: BTS

• Billboard 200 Artist: Drake

• Hot 100 Artist: Drake

• Streaming Songs Artist: Drake

• Song Sales Artist: Drake

• Radio Songs Artist: Drake

• Social Artist: BTS

• Touring Artist: Ed Sheeran

• R&B: Ella Mai

• R&B Male: The Weeknd

• R&B Female: Ella Mai

• R&B Tour: Beyoncé & Jay-Z

• Rap: Drake

• Rap Male: Drake

• Rap Female: Cardi B

• Rap Tour: Beyoncé & Jay-Z

• Country: Luke Combs

• Country Male: Luke Combs.

• Country Female: Carrie Underwood.

• Country Duo/Group: Dan + Shay

• Country Tour: Kenny Chesney

• Rock: Imagine Dragons

• Rock Tour: Elton John

• Latin: Ozuna

• Dance/Electronic: The Chainsmokers.

• Christian: Lauren Daigle

• Gospel: Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Album Awards:

• Billboard 200 Album: Drake, Scorpion

• Soundtrack: The Greatest Showman, Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron

• R&B: XXXTentacion, 17.

• Rap: Drake, Scorpion

• Country: Luke Combs, This One’s For You

• Rock: Panic! At The Disco, Pray For The Wicked

• Latin: Ozuna, Aura.

• Dance/Electronic: The Chainsmokers, Sick Boy

• Christian: Lauren Daigle, Look Up Child

• Gospel: Tori Kelly, Hiding Place

Song Awards:

• Hot 100 Song: Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B, Girls Like You

• Streaming (Audio): Travis Scott, SICKO MODE

• Streaming (Video): Drake, In My Feelings

• Selling Song: Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B, Girls Like You

• Radio: Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B, Girls Like You

• Collaboration: Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B, Girls Like You

• R&B: Ella Mai, Boo’d Up

• Rap: Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J. Balvin, I Like It

• Country: Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line, Meant To Be

• Rock: Panic! At The Disco, High Hopes

• Latin: Casper Magico, Nio Garcia, Darell, Nicky Jam, Bad Bunny & Ozuna, Te Bote

• Dance/Electronic: Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey, The Middle

• Christian: Lauren Daigle, You Say

• Gospel: Koryn Hawthorne, Won’t He Do It