Adele and The Weeknd were the major winners at the Billboard Music Awards this year.
British singer Adele, who was absent due to being on her European tour, won five awards including top artist, top female artist and top Billboard 200 artist.
She also debuted her latest single Send My Love (To Your New Lover) at the star studded event.
Canadian singer The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, won eight awards – more than any other male artist in Billboard history.
Celine Dion was recognised with a lifetime achievement award, presented by her son Rene Charles.
She performed Queen’s The Show Must Go On before dedicating the award to her husband Rene Angelil, who unfortunately died of cancer in January.
The ceremony closed with a tribute to Prince by Madonna, who performed his song Nothing Compares 2 U before being joined by Stevie Wonder for a rendition of Purple Rain.
There were also performances by Britney Spears, Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Meghan Trainor and Demi Lovato.
Here is the full list of winners: (winners indicated in red)
Top Artist
Adele
Justin Bieber
Drake
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Billboard Chart Achievement Award (Fan-Voted)
Rihanna
Adele
Drake
The Weeknd
Little Big Town
Top R&B Song
Alessia Cara, Here
Omarion Featuring Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko, Post To Be
The Weeknd, Can’t Feel My Face
The Weeknd, Earned It
The Weeknd, The Hills
Top Billboard 200 Album
Adele, 25
Justin Bieber, Purpose
Ed Sheeran, X
Taylor Swift, 1989
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind The Madness
Top Male Artist
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
Ed Sheeran
The Weeknd
Top Country Song
Sam Hunt, Break Up In A Small Town
Sam Hunt, Take Your Time
Little Big Town, Girl Crush
Thomas Rhett, Die A Happy Man
Chris Young, I’m Comin Over
Top Hot 100 Song:
Adele, Hello
Fetty Wap, Trap Queen
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, See You Again
The Weeknd, Can’t Feel My Face
The Weeknd, The Hills
Top Hot 100 Artist
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top New Artist
Fetty Wap
OMI
Charlie Puth
Silento
Bryson Tiller
Top Female Artist
Adele
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Taylor Swift
Top Duo/Group
Maroon 5
One Direction
Twenty one pilots
The Rolling Stones
U2
Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Adele
Justin Bieber
Drake
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top Song Sales Artist
Adele
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
The Weeknd
Top Radio Songs Artist
Justin Bieber
Ellie Goulding
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top Streaming Songs Artist
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
Silento
The Weeknd
Top Social Media Artist
Justin Bieber
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Demi Lovato
Taylor Swift
Top Touring Artist
Madonna
One Direction
The Rolling Stones
Taylor Swift
U2
Top R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Jeremih
Rihanna
Bryson Tiller
The Weeknd
Top Rap Artist
Drake
Fetty Wap
Future
Wiz Khalifa
Silento
Top Country Artist
Zac Brown Band
Luke Bryan
Sam Hunt
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Top Rock Artist
Fall Out Boy
Elle King
Twenty One Pilots
Walk the Moon
X Ambassadors
Top Latin Artist
Banda Sinaloense MS De Sergio Lizarraga
Juan Gabriel
Nicky Jam
Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho
Romeo Santos
Top Dance/Electronic Artist
The Chainsmokers
DJ Snake
David Guetta
Major Lazer
Zedd
Top Christian Artist
Casting Crowns
Lauren Daigle
Hillsong United
MercyMe
Chris Tomlin
Top Gospel Artist
Anthony Brown and group therApy
Tasha Cobbs
Kirk Franklin
Travis Greene
Marvin Sapp
Top Soundtrack
Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1
Fifty Shades of Grey
Furious 7
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol.
Pitch Perfect 2
Top R&B Album
Chris Brown, Royalty
Rihanna, Anti
Bryson Tiller, TRAPSOUL
Tyrese, Black Rose
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind The Madness
Top Rap Album
Drake, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Drake & Future, What A Time To Be Alive
Dr Dre, Compton
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp A Butterfly
Meek Mill, Dreams Worth More Than Money
What are your thoughts on these winners? Let us know by commenting below.
– Written by Rekha Kulen
