Ciara and Ludacris are hosting the show, and the rapper opened the show by poking fun at this year’s Academy Awards, which featured all-white acting nominees.
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In a pre-recorded video message, the British star said: “I can’t believe I won another one”.
For the grand finale of the 2016 Billboard Music Awards, Madonna paid tribute to Prince with a moving rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U”, followed by a “Purple Rain” duet with Stevie Wonder.
Kemosabe Records relented, saying Kesha had assured them she would not use her time as a platform to address her failed legal bid against Sony Corp’s Sony Music and producer Dr. Luke. I didn’t want to cry.
The Billboard Music Awards aired live from the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas from 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC.
Why Madonna? She never covered a Prince song, and probably hadn’t seen him in 20 years.
“This is incredible. I got to thank God”.
Singer The Weeknd leads the Billboard Music Award nominations with 16 nods, while Bieber is nominated in 11 categories and Taylor Swift in eight.
Leading nominee The Weeknd is nominated for the night’s big prize – top artist.
“I wanna dedicate this award to the late, great Prince”, he said after accepting the award. “I love him so much”. Other performers include Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Pink, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, the Go-Go’s, Nick Jonas, Meghan Trainor, Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Tove Lo, Troye Sivan and Lukas Graham. “He will always be an inspiration”.
Adele is now on her world tour and was unavailable to accept the award in person, instead making her acceptance speech through video.
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Justin Bieber, who was named Top Male Artist, also took to the stage as he sang Company and Sorry from his best selling album goal.
