Daily Times

The 2019 Billboard Music Awards were handed out on Wednesday. Rapper and singer Drake was the night’s big winner, taking home the top artist award among his many honours. With his 12 wins on Wednesday, Drake now holds the record for most wins in BBMA history, with a total of 27. Other winners included Ariana Grande, BTS and Imagine Dragons.

Music’s biggest stars were at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for the show, which aired live from 8-11pm on NBC. Kelly Clarkson returned as host and performed during the show.

Taylor Swift opened the kudocast with the worldwide premiere performance of her new song “Me,” featuring Brendon Urie from Panic! at the Disco. Mariah Carey received the Icon Award and also performed a medley of her greatest hits.

Other performers included Ariana Grande, who sang “7 Rings”; Madonna and Maluma, who performed “Medellín”; Paula Abdul, with a medley of her greatest hits; BTS and Halsey, with “Boy With Luv”; and the Jonas Brothers, who performed “Sucker.”

Taylor Swift opened the kudocast with the worldwide premiere performance of her new song ‘Me,’ featuring Brendon Urie from Panic! at the Disco. Mariah Carey received the Icon Award and also performed a medley of her greatest hits

In addition, Halsey took the stage for a solo performance of “Without Me,” Ciara debuted her new single “Thinkin Bout You” for the first time on television, and country singers Dan + Shay performed with Tori Kelly. Lauren Daigle and Khalid also performed. Presenters included Asher Angel, Becky G, Chrissy Metz & Justin Hartley, Cobie Smulders, Dave Bautista & Kumail Nanjiani, David Guetta, Erin & Sara Foster, Eva Longoria, Florida Georgia Line, Jennifer Hudson, Jesse Spencer, Julia Michaels, Julianne Hough, Kane Brown, Olivia Wilde, Beanie Feldstein & Kaitlyn Dever, Ralph Macchio, Rob Gronkowski, Ross Lynch & Kiernan Shipka, Sabrina Carpenter, Sophie Turner & Tye Sheridan, Terry Crews and William Zabka.

Cardi B was the most-nominated artist for the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, receiving a total of 21 nominations in categories such as top artist, top female artist, top rap artist and top rap album to name a few. Drake and Post Malone had the second-highest number of noms, with each artist gaining 17.

The Billboard Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions – a division of Valence Media, the parent company of the Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group.