Last night the 2018 Billboard Music Awards celebrated some of music’s biggest names, hosted by Kelly Clarkson. The star studded event took place at the Garden Arena inside the Las Vegas MGM Grand hotel. If you missed last night’s celebration, no worries we’ve got you covered with the best moments!
- Kelly Clarkson’s big opening! The BBMAs switched it up this year allowing an actual artist to host the annual, event rather than an actor or comedian. A it paid off tremendously! Kelly did an awesome job. She opened the show with a call to action in light of the recent school shooting in her home state of Texas. And even paid tribute to songs that are currently topping Billboard’s Hot 100 chart with a melody.
2 & 3. The People’s Champ Khalid deservingly won the award for ‘Top New Artist’ last night. He appeared on the show last year performing “Young, Dumb & Broke” & “Thunder” alongside Imagine Dragons. This year, he returned not only by taking home the gold but with two new performances.
A very sexy premiere of “Love Lies” with former Fifth Harmony member Normani — who KILLED it! And a powerful punch with Shawn Mendes & 12 members of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student choir to perform “Youth,” where they honored the 10 victims of Friday’s school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas.
https://youtu.be/qAyErRT-Iw8
4. J.LO. Jennifer Lopez. Jenny From The Block. MAMACITA! Queen J.Lo delivered a sexy, cinematic premiere styled in Chicago fashion. She was joined on stage by DJ Khaled and in black & white by Cardi B.
5. Post Malone took home his first award!
.@PostMalone and @21savage lookin’ like rockstars as they accept the award for Top Rap Song! #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/g8NCGtUGw1
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 21, 2018
6. JANET RETURNED! The moment we’d all been waiting for since the awards announcement. Ms. Jackson made her TV debut in almost a decade to perform her hits “Nasty” & “Throb.” She gave us all Janet essentials: sex appeal, sass, sharp choreography and visuals! Following her get down Ms. Jackson received the Billboard Icon Award, presented to her by Bruno Mars. Janet is the first African-American woman to receive the honor and delivered a powerful speech upon accepting the award.
BONUS: Check out my Janet Jackson essentials playlist: HERE.
7. Battle of the voices! Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato premiered their new song “Fall In Line” from Christina’s forth coming album. The two bellowed it out on stage delivering a powerful message about self love, acceptance and strength.
https://youtu.be/7Ps_vqnf2Rw
8. Camila Cabello, another former Fifth Harmony member strutted her stuff across the stage last night. She premiered her new single “Sangria Wine” with Pharrell and gave a stellar performance to her Hot 100 single “Havana.”
9. Ok. If you haven’t heard of the new boy band phenomenon BTS, then you gon’ learn today, just like I learned last night. The K-pop group took home the ‘Top Social Award’ and performed their new single “Fake Love.” The fans went crazy at every mention or sight of the group. Literally. You may want to turn down your volume before pressing play on these highlights.
https://youtu.be/cngUnh7EMKo
10. The FIRST female Rap act to reach the Top 20 of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, Salt-N-Pepa & DJ Spinderella gave us a blast from the past with their 90s hits “Shoop,” “Let’s Talk About Sex,” “Push It” and were joined by girl group En Vogue for “Whatta Man.” Unfortunately, there’s no full clip of the performace yet. Possibly because Salt, Pepa & Spinderella are gearing up for a tour. And let me tell you, if it’s anything like last night’s performance you’ll want to cop tickets!
Honorable Mentions:
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- Kendrick Lamar took home 6 awards prior to the show:
- Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” ft. Justin Bieber took home the award for ‘Top Hot 100 Song’. A BIG win for the Latin community! It is the Latin song with the most Billboard awards. Hopefully, it’s the beginning to a new wave of recognition for Latin music. Luis dedicated the award to immigrants, Dreamers and Puerto Rico.
.@LuisFonsi accepts the award for Top Hot 100 Song! #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/EVMGIxFWaf
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 21, 2018