Divvys Blog

The biggest stars in music came together under one roof for the 2018 Billboard Music Awards .

Kelly Clarkson led the proceedings as host as gongs were handed out left, right and centre.

And it was Ed Sheeran who was the big winner on a night where politics featured just as heavily as the music.

Host Kelly opened the ceremony with a tearful plea for a "moment of action" in the wake of a school shooting in Texas while Janet Jackson, who was honoured with the Icon Award, backed the women who "have made it clear we will no longer be controlled, manipulated or abused".

The annual awards show, which celebrates artists' performances on the Billboard charts, took place three days after the deaths of 10 people at Santa Fe High School, which reignited the fierce debate around gun control in the United States.

Kelly, who had to compose herself on several occasions during her speech, said: "Once again we are grieving for more kids that have died for just absolutely no reason at all. And tonight they wanted me to say that, obviously we're going to pray for the victims and pray for their families, but they also wanted me to do a moment of silence.

"And I'm so sick of moments of silence. It's not working. So why don't we not do a moment of silence? Why don't we do a moment of action? A moment of change?"

The mother-of-four added: "Mommies and daddies should be able to send their kids to school."

During the Las Vegas show, singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes performed his new single Youth alongside rising star Khalid and the pair invited members of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School choir from Parkland, Florida, on stage with them.

The school was the scene of a mass shooting earlier this year.

Following Kelly's speech, the ceremony got under way with a performance from Ariana Grande, who took to the stage two days before the first anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing.

The star had just finished a show at the Manchester Arena on May 22 2017 when suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated an explosive device in the foyer, killing 22 people and injuring hundreds more.

At the Billboard Music Awards, she performed an emotional rendition of No Tears Left To Cry, her first single since the atrocity.

Janet, 52, was awarded the Icon Award and used her acceptance speech to praise women who have "made it clear that we will no longer be controlled, manipulated or abused".

She said: "I am deeply humbled and grateful for this award. I feel that for all the challenges, all of our challenges, we live at a glorious moment in history.

"It's a moment when at long last women have made it clear that we will no longer be controlled, manipulated or abused.

"I stand with these women and with those men who are equally outraged by discrimination, who support us in heart and mind."

Ed won the main award of the night, being recognised as Top Artist, beating off competition from Drake and Kendrick Lamar.

He also won Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Song Sales Artist and Top Hot 100 Artist.

Other winners include Top Female Artist Taylor Swift and Camila Cabello, who scooped the Billboard Chart Achievement Award.

Before the ceremony kicked off, Lamar was leading the way with six wins from the non-televised categories.

Clarkson and Grande were among several artists to perform on the night, including Khalid, Mendes, Jennifer Lopez, John Legend, Cabello, Dua Lipa and Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue.

Here's a full list of winners:

Top Artist:

Drake

Kendrick Lamar

Bruno Mars

Ed Sheeran -- WINNER

Taylor Swift

Top New Artist:

21 Savage

Camila Cabello

Cardi B

Khalid -- WINNER

Kodak Black

Billboard Chart Achievement Award:

Camila Cabello -- WINNER

Cardi B

Drake

Sam Hunt

Ed Sheeran

Top Male Artist:

Drake

Kendrick Lamar

Bruno Mars

Post Malone

Ed Sheeran -- WINNER

Top Female Artist:

Camila Cabello

Cardi B

Halsey

Demi Lovato

Taylor Swift -- WINNER

Top Duo/Group:

The Chainsmokers

Coldplay

Imagine Dragons -- WINNER

Migos

U2

Top Billboard 200 Artist:

Drake -- WINNER

Kendrick Lamar

Ed Sheeran

Chris Stapleton

Taylor Swift

Top Hot 100 Artist:

Imagine Dragons

Kendrick Lamar

Bruno Mars

Post Malone

Ed Sheeran -- WINNER

Top Streaming Songs Artist:

Cardi B

Drake

Kendrick Lamar -- WINNER

Post Malone

Ed Sheeran

Top Song Sales Artist:

Imagine Dragons

Kendrick Lamar

Bruno Mars

Post Malone

Ed Sheeran -- WINNER

Top Radio Songs Artist:

Halsey

Imagine Dragons

Bruno Mars

Charlie Puth

Ed Sheeran -- WINNER

Top Social Artist:

Justin Bieber

BTS -- WINNER

Ariana Grande

Demi Lovato

Shawn Mendes

Top Touring Artist:

Coldplay

Guns N’ Roses

Bruno Mars

Ed Sheeran

U2 -- WINNER

Top R&B Artist:

Chris Brown

Khalid

Bruno Mars -- WINNER

SZA

The Weeknd

Top R&B Male Artist:

Khalid

Bruno Mars -- WINNER

The Weeknd

Top R&B Female Artist:

Beyonce

Rihanna

SZA -- WINNER

Top R&B Tour:

Bruno Mars -- WINNER

Lionel Richie

The Weeknd

Top Rap Artist:

Drake

Kendrick Lamar -- WINNER

Lil Uzi Vert

Migos

Post Malone

Top Rap Male Artist:

Drake

Kendrick Lamar -- WINNER

Post Malone

Top Rap Female Artist:

Bhad Bhabie

Cardi B -- WINNER

Nicki Minaj

Top Rap Tour:

J. Cole

JAY-Z -- WINNER

Kendrick Lamar

Top Country Artist:

Kane Brown

Luke Combs

Sam Hunt

Thomas Rhett

Chris Stapleton -- WINNER

Top Country Male Artist:

Sam Hunt

Thomas Rhett

Chris Stapleton -- WINNER

Top Country Female Artist:

Kelsea Ballerini

Miranda Lambert

Maren Morris -- WINNER

Top Country Duo/Group Artist:

Florida Georgia Line -- WINNER

Old Dominion

Zac Brown Band

Top Country Tour:

Luke Bryan -- WINNER

Florida Georgia Line

Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

Top Rock Artist:

Imagine Dragons -- WINNER

Linkin Park

Portugal. The Man

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

twenty one pilots

Top Rock Tour:

Coldplay

Guns N’ Roses

U2 -- WINNER

Top Latin Artist:

J Balvin

Daddy Yankee

Luis Fonsi

Ozuna -- WINNER

Romeo Santos

Top Dance/Electronic Artist:

The Chainsmokers -- WINNER

Calvin Harris

Kygo

Marshmello

ODESZA

Top Christian Artist:

Elevation Worship

Hillsong UNITED

Hillsong Worship

MercyMe -- WINNER

Zach Williams

Top Gospel Artist:

Anthony Brown & group therAPy

Travis Greene

J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise

Tasha Cobbs Leonard -- WINNER

Tamela Mann

Top Billboard 200 Album:

Drake, More Life

Kendrick Lamar, DAMN. -- WINNER

Post Malone, Stoney

Ed Sheeran ÷ (Divide)

Taylor Swift, reputation

Top Selling Album:

Kendrick Lamar, DAMN.

P!nk, Beautiful Trauma

Ed Sheeran, ÷ (Divide)

Chris Stapleton, From A Room: Volume 1

Taylor Swift, reputation -- WINNER

Top Soundtrack:

Black Panther

The Fate of the Furious: The Album

The Greatest Showman

Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2

Moana -- WINNER

Top R&B Album:

Khalid, American Teen

Bruno Mars, 24K Magic -- WINNER

SZA, CTRL

The Weeknd, Starboy

XXXTentacion, 17

Top Rap Album:

Drake, More Life

Kendrick Lamar, DAMN. -- WINNER

Lil Uzi Vert, Luv Is Rage 2

Migos, Culture

Post Malone, Stoney

Top Country Album:

Kane Brown, Kane Brown

Luke Combs, This One’s For You

Thomas Rhett, Life Changes

Chris Stapleton, From A Room: Volume 1 -- WINNER

Brett Young, Brett Young

Top Rock Album:

Imagine Dragons, Evolve -- WINNER

Linkin Park, One More Light

Panic! At The Disco, Death of a Bachelor

Portugal. The Man, Woodstock

U2, Songs of Experience

Top Latin Album:

Nicky Jam, Fenix

Christian Nodal, Me Deje Llevar

Ozuna, Odisea -- WINNER

Romeo Santos, Golden

Shakira, El Dorado

Top Dance/Electronic Album:

Avicii, AVĨCI (01)

The Chainsmokers, Memories…Do Not Open -- WINNER

Calvin Harris, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1

Kygo, Stargazing

ODESZA, A Moment Apart

Top Christian Album:

Elevation Worship, There Is A Cloud

Hillsong UNITED, Wonder

Hillsong Worship, Let There Be Light

Alan Jackson, Precious Memories Collection -- WINNER

MercyMe, Lifer

Top Gospel Album:

Anthony Brown & group therAPy, A Long Way From Sunday

Travis Greene, Crossover: Live From Music City

J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, You Deserve It

Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Heart. Passion. Pursuit -- WINNER

Marvin Sapp, Close

Top Hot 100 Song:

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, "Despacito" -- WINNER

Kendrick Lamar, "Humble."

Bruno Mars, "That’s What I Like"

Post Malone ft. 21 Savage, "Rockstar"

Ed Sheeran, "Shape Of You"

Top Streaming Song (Audio):

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, "Despacito"

Kendrick Lamar, "Humble." -- WINNER

Lil Uzi Vert, "XO Tour LLIF3"

Post Malone ft. 21 Savage, "Rockstar"

Post Malone ft. Quavo, "Congratulations"

Top Streaming Song (Video):

Cardi B, "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)"

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, "Despacito" -- WINNER

Lil Pump, "Gucci Gang"

Bruno Mars, "That’s What I Like"

Ed Sheeran, "Shape of You"

Top Selling Song:

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, "Despacito" -- WINNER

Sam Hunt “Body Like A Back Road”

Imagine Dragons “Believer”

Imagine Dragons “Thunder”

Ed Sheeran “Perfect”

Top Radio Song:

The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, “Something Just Like This”

Imagine Dragons, “Believer”

Bruno Mars, “That’s What I Like”

Charlie Puth, “Attention”

Ed Sheeran, "Shape of You” -- WINNER

Top Collaboration:

Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug, “Havana”

The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, “Something Just Like This”

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, “Despacito” -- WINNER

French Montana ft. Swae Lee, “Unforgettable”

Post Malone ft. 21 Savage, “Rockstar”

Top R&B Song:

Childish Gambino, “Redbone”

DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller, “Wild Thoughts”

Khalid, “Young Dumb & Broke”

Bruno Mars, “That’s What I Like” -- WINNER

Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B, “Finesse”

Top Rap Song:

Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”

DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper & Lil Wayne, “I’m The One"

French Montana ft. Swae Lee, “Unforgettable”

Kendrick Lamar, “Humble.”

Post Malone ft. 21 Savage, “Rockstar” -- WINNER

Top Country Song:

Kane Brown ft. Lauren Alaina, “What Ifs”

Sam Hunt, “Body Like A Back Road” -- WINNER

Dustin Lynch, “Small Town Boy”

Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line, “Meant To Be”

Brett Young, “In Case You Didn’t Know”

Top Rock Song:

Imagine Dragons “Believer” -- WINNER

Imagine Dragons “Thunder”

Linkin Park ft. Kiiara “Heavy”

Portugal. The Man “Feel It Still”

The Revivalists “Wish I Knew You”

Top Latin Song:

J Balvin & Willy William Ft. Beyonce, “Mi Gente”

Becky G ft. Bad Bunny, ”Mayores”

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, “Despacito” -- WINNER

Maluma, “Felices Los 4”

Wisin ft. Ozuna, “Escapate Conmigo”

Top Dance/Electronic Song:

The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, “Something Just Like This” -- WINNER

Cheat Codes ft. Demi Lovato, “No Promises”

Clean Bandit ft. Sean Paul & Ann-Marie, “Rockabye”

Kygo & Selena Gomez, “It Ain’t Me”

Zedd & Alessia Cara, “Stay”

Top Christian Song:

Elevation Worship, “O Come To The Altar”

Hillsong Worship, “What A Beautiful Name” -- WINNER

Lecrae ft. Tori Kelly, “I’ll Find You”

MercyMe, “Even If”

Zach Williams, “Old Church Choir”

Top Gospel Song:

Anthony Brown & group therAPy, “Trust In You”

Travis Greene, “You Waited”

J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, “You Deserve It” -- WINNER

Tamela Mann, “Change Me”

Charlie Wilson, “I’m Blessed”

Lucas, who produced most tracks on Madonna's debut album back in 1983, was also a musician himself, having played with Miles Davies back in the 1970s.

He also co-wrote several hits singles with James Mtume for artists such as Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway.

"After a long and arduous struggle with his physical heart (his emotional one was perfect) he was called home," Reggie's daughter, Lisa wrote on Facebook.

"I wish he'd had more time, I wish we'd all had more time with him, but he left this world absolutely covered in love, with his hands held and his family beside him.

"I'm glad he's at peace now."

In her touching Twitter post, Madonna said she was "so sad to hear that Reggie Lucas is gone"

The 2018 Billboard Music Awards were packed with big performances and peppered with some heavier moments Sunday night, kicking off with an emotional cold open from host Kelly Clarkson.

The show, which aired live on NBC from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, began on a serious note with a tearful call to action from Clarkson in the wake of the latest school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas.

She refused to lead the audience in a moment of silence, instead saying, “Why don’t we do a moment of action? Why don’t we do a moment of change? Why don’t we change what’s happening? Because it’s horrible.”

Fittingly, following Clarkson’s emotional message, Ariana Grande opened the show with a performance of “No Tears Left to Cry.” And indeed when Clarkson returned to the stage, she was dry-eyed and ready to lighten things up a bit.

Kelly launched into an energetic medley of other artists’ songs, including “Too Good at Goodbyes” by Sam Smith, “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift and “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran.

Shawn Mendes and Khalid later picked up Kelly’s call to action. After Mendes first took the stage to perform his new single “In My Blood,” he returned with Khalid to perform their powerful duet “Youth” as a tribute to victims of gun violence with the help of the show choir from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Female empowerment was also a running theme of the night, with Janet Jackson becoming the first black woman to receive the Billboard Icon Award and paying tribute to strong women in her speech

"Women have made it clear that we no longer will be controlled, manipulated or abused,” Jackson said in her speech, during which she also urged people to turn back to God as a source of calmness and love.

Prior to accepting the award, she took the stage and performed a choreography-heavy medley of some of her classics, including “Nasty,” “If” and “Throb.” It was her first TV performance in nine years.

Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato also took the stage together for the first time to perform their new feminist anthem, “Fall in Line.” They traded soaring vocal acrobatics and held their own amidst a menacing mob of authoritative male figures.

Taylor Swift used her win for Top Female Artist to shout out other female artists, in particular her tour mates Charli XCX and Camila Cabello. She also took home the prize for Top Selling Album for “Reputation” and thanked her fans for “making me feel understood again.”

Before presenting the award for Top Hot 100 Song to Luis Fonsi for “Despacito,” The Chainsmokers and Halsey paid tribute to EDM artist Avicii, who died last month at age 28. The Chainsmokers also dedicated their award for Top Dance/Electronic Artist to the late DJ and producer.

Other winners presented during the broadcast included Khalid for Top New Artist, BTS for Top Social Artist, “Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt for Top Country Song, “Rock Star” by Post Malone featuring 21 Savage for Top Rap Song, and Camilla Cabello for Billboard Chart Achievement Award.

The show closed out with Ed Sheeran taking home the prize of Top Artist and a 1990s throwback performance by Salt N Pepa, DJ Spinderella and En Vogue.

The two biggest winners of the night with six awards each were Sheeran and Kendrick Lamar.

The night’s other performances included:

-Dua Lipa performing “New Rules” with the help of a girl squad and a giant flamingo.

-Khalid and Normani performing their steamy duet “Love Lies.”

-New dad John Legend singing his new single, “A Good Night.”

-Jennifer Lopez and DJ Khaled making it rain dollar bills with their new track, “Dinero.”

-Ed Sheeran performing a rousing rendition of “Galway Girl” from his tour in Dublin, Ireland.

-Maren Morris, Zedd and Grey joining forces to perform their hit “The Middle.”

-Soon-to-be tourmates Macklemore and Kesha singing “Good Old Days” from a faux campsite at Vegas' T-Mobile Arena.

-Kelly Clarkson belting her sassy tune “Whole Lotta Woman.”

-K-pop boy band BTS drawing the loudest cheers for their performance of “Fake Love.”

-Camila Cabello performing “Havana” and her new duet with Pharrell Williams, “Sangria Wine.”

Drake picked up the award for Top Billboard 200 Artist at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards.

The Toronto rapper was nominated alongside Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran, Chris Stapleton, and Taylor Swift, but he prevailed against those powerhouses to win the award. That award was handed out during the pre-show where Kendrick Lamar won six early awards. Drake had a big year over the past year and so does all the other nominees, but when it comes to chart success, Drizzy perhaps had the biggest year.

Drake’s More Life album debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart last year earning the Young Money rapper his seventh straight number one album. The album sold 505,000 album-equivalent units in the first week and 226,000 copies of those were pure album sales. Drake also set a new streaming record on Apple Music for the album with the most streams in one day earning 89.9 million streams. The project also set a new record on Spotify earning 61.3 million streams in the first day of release.

So far this year, Drake has been one of the most successful artists on the charts after spending weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “God’s Plan” and “Nice For What.”

We are just midway the year and it seems Drake is just getting ready to get started. The “Nice For What” rapper is currently readying his new album “Scorpion” set for release in June. He will be going up against Kanye West and his labelmate Nicki Minaj who are also dropping albums in June. Clearly, June is stacking up to be a big month for hip hop with these major album releases.

Judging from the previous track records, it’s safe to say that Drake will likely come out on top in terms of streaming numbers and sales. Let’s see what Nicki and Kanye will do.

Kendrick Lamar picked up six early Billboard Music Awards.

This is another legendary move by Kendrick Lamar who won six trophies even before the Billboard Music Award show started. The Compton rapper won half a dozen awards in the pre-show including Top Rap Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top Streaming Song for “Humble,” Top Rap Male Artist, Top Rap Album, and Top Billboard 200 Album. K-Dot just keeps winning awards for his landmark album DAMN and is already the leading winner among rap artists at this year’s BBMA.

2018 has been a strong year for hip-hop music at the award shows including at the Grammy’s where Kendrick Lamar won a number of key awards. A number of rap stars will also be performing live at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards including Pharrell Williams and Macklemore.

Nicki Minaj was billed on the lineup to perform at the BBMAs but canceled her performance at last minute after missing a mandatory rehearsal because she had to perform on Saturday Night Live (SNL) the night before.

The 2018 Billboard Music Awards is being broadcast live on NBC from the live show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The live show runs from 8 PM – 11 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Almost exactly a year ago, Freya Lewis was so badly hurt in the Ariana Grande concert bombing that she was put in an induced coma. 

She suffered multiple broken bones, cuts and burns and doctors weren’t sure if she would ever walk again. 

Today, she competed in the Greater Manchester 10k Run, raising money for the hospital which saved her life. Freya, 15, of Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, lost her friend 

Nell Jones, 14, in the blast at the end of Grande’s concert at Manchester Arena on May 22. She was put in an induced coma as surgeons at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital treated her. 

Freya, who has already helped raise £40,000 for the hospital, said she was ‘nervous but quite excited’ ahead of tackling this weekend’s run along with her father Nick.

She told BBC Breakfast: ‘I wasn’t even sure I would walk again. 

They gave so much to me and all of us, so to give something back is the most important thing. 

‘When I first woke up and everything it was quite terrifying obviously because I was not used to all the injuries I had and I wasn’t sure what I was going to be able to do again. ‘I think I definitely thought it would be a lot worse than it is.’ 

In the early stages of her recovery she was given a major boost when Grande visited her in hospital and lifted the family’s spirits as she watched videos of Freya singing and dancing.

Freya said: ‘She was the nicest person ever and I just basically started smiling again really from then. 

Mr Lewis said: ‘She was just wonderful and spent 20 minutes with Freya. 

It was so moving.’ 

Recalling the evening of May 22, Mr Lewis said: ‘When they said we are taking you to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital we didn’t even know where the ambulance was taking us and it’s the biggest single site children’s hospital in Europe.

‘The care that they gave Freya, they saved her life. 

But it’s more than that, it’s just a wonderful place and part of us is always going to be there now really. 

They are wonderful people, wonderful staff, wonderful patients. 

‘We actually enjoy going there which may sound ridiculous having spent the worst five weeks of our life there but it’s wonderful.’ 

Freya continues to be a regular visitor to the hospital as an outpatient and will undergo further surgery this year. 

On Monday, she received the accolade of Young Fundraising Hero at the NHS Heroes Awards in London, where she was presented on stage with the award by One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.