Travis Scott and Morgan Wallen took the stage at the Billboard Music Awards

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Taylor Swift – who has the second-highest award show earnings of all time at 29 – has won four awards.

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr., Associated Press

May 15, 2022

Travis Scott and Morgan Wallen gave controversial performances on stage at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, while Mary J. Blige was honored for her musical excellence.

Wallen appeared on his first major awards show after being caught on camera using a racial slur. After receiving no verbal introduction, the country music star sat next to his four-piece band and performed “Don’t Think Jesus,” then his chart-topping “Wasted on You,” a single from his popular project, Dangerous: The Double Album. . ”

Shortly after his performance, rapper Pusha T presented Wallen with the Top Country Artist Award.

“I want to say, ‘Thank God.’ And thank you my fans. I have the best damn fans,” said Wallen, who credits his mom for accompanying him as his date. He also thanked Billboard for the invitation. He didn’t mention the incident last year in which the disgraced singer was once rebuked by the music industry.

“Thanks to my little boy,” he continued. “You inspire me every day.”

Shortly after Wallen’s set, Scott made his first television appearance since a massive crowd killed ten and injured thousands at his Astroworld festival in Houston last November. The rapper performed his single “Mafia” in a chilling, polar-themed pre-taped set that was heavily censored.

Mary J. Blige received the Icon Award for Influential Music Maker. Known as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, the singer was presented with the award by Janet Jackson and escorted onto the stage by Sean “Diddy” Combs – the host of the show, which was broadcast live from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Arena.

Blige said she’s “in a dream right now” after receiving the honor. She spoke about how the journey to becoming an icon was not an easy one during her stellar career.

“I’ve been on this journey for a long time, which hasn’t always looked like what you see me now,” she said. “One filled with a lot of heartbreak and pain, but God helped me channel those experiences and emotions into my music from where I started music.”

Previously, Drake was named Top Artist, Male Artist, Rap Artist, Male Rap Artist, and Rap Album for Certified Lover Boy. With 34 wins, the rapper extended his record as the most decorated winner in the history of the awards.

Olivia Rodrigo and Kanye West, known as Ye, took home the most awards with six during a non-televised ceremony. Rodrigo was awarded Best New Artist.

Ye made his mark in the faith-based categories — again: the rapper won Best Christian Artist for the first time, but he held his own for Best Gospel Artist and Gospel Song for a third straight year. He also received a top gospel album for the second time.

The Kid LAROI became a first-time winner, taking home five wins for his song “Stay” starring Justin Bieber – whose winning tally rose to 26 at the Billboard Music Awards.

Doja Cat has won four awards. She was named Best R&B Artist and R&B Artist for the second year in a row, along with Best R&B Album and Best Female Artist.

Taylor Swift – who has the second-most award show wins of all time at 29 – has won four awards. Bad Bunny earned two wins, while R&B duo Silk Sonic, consisting of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, won their first prize for Best R&B Song with “Leave the Door Open.”

Becky G, who released the album “Esquemas” on Friday, performed her hit “MAMIII,” which topped Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. Ed Sheeran delivered a remote performance from Northern Ireland where he is touring.

Other acts who took to the stage included Miranda Lambert, Meghan Thee Stallion and Grammy Awards favorites Silk Sonic.

Nominees are determined by Billboard chart rankings, and winners are selected based on a variety of criteria, including album and digital song sales, airplay and streaming success, and touring.