The 2016 Billboard Music Awards was a night of triumph and tribute. And The Weeknd.
Celine Dion and Rihanna were honored, and Stevie Wonder joined Madonna for a performance to celebrate the life and legacy of Prince, meanwhile The Weekend took home nine trophies.
Kesha Makes Triumphant Return At 2016 Billboard Music Awards
The Toronto superstar was nominated for 19 awards and though he’s clearly a story we’ll remember, it was Madonna who most will be talking about in the morning. The pop icon paid tribute to Prince in a somber ceremony that left fans puzzled by its brevity and lack of intensity. Social media reactions were sharp until Stevie Wonder arrived on stage and “Nothing Compares 2 U” transitioned into “Purple Rain.”
Other highlights included Britney Spears’ opening medley, Ciara and Ludacris having in-the-studio chemistry and Kesha’s comeback.
Rihanna was honored with the Billboard Achievement Award and Celine Dion was presented with the Billboard Icon Award, which was given to her by her son, after Seal introduced her. Dion was emotional during her thank you speech and saved her last words for her late husband, telling the audience, “I know [he] will continue to watch over me from up above.”
Check out the winner’s list.
Top Hot 100 Artist
The Weeknd (Winner)
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Song
Wiz Khalifa, “See You Again,” Feat. Charlie Puth (Winner)
Adele, “Hello”
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Top Country Song
Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man” (Winner)
Sam Hunt, “Break Up In A Small Town”
Sam Hunt, “Take Your Time”
Little Big Town, “Girl Crush”
Chris Young, “I’m Comin’ Over”
Top Male Artist
Justin Bieber (Winner)
Drake
Fetty Wap
Ed Sheeran
The Weeknd
Top Billboard 200 Album
Adele, 25 (Winner)
Justin Bieber, Purpose
Ed Sheeran, x
Taylor Swift, 1989
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind The Madness
Top R&B Song
The Weeknd, “The Hills” (Winner)
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”
The Weeknd, “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)”
Omarion “Post To Be” Feat. Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko
Alessia Cara, “Here”
Top Artist
Adele (Winner)
Justin Bieber
Drake
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top New Artist
Fetty Wap (Winner)
OMI
Charlie Puth
Silentó
Bryson Tiller
Top Female Artist
Adele (Winner)
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Taylor Swift
Top Duo/Group
One Direction (Winner)
Maroon 5
twenty one pilots
The Rolling Stones
U2
Top Song Sales Artist
The Weeknd (Winner)
Adele
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
Top Radio Songs Artist
The Weeknd (Winner)
Justin Bieber
Ellie Goulding
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
Top Streaming Songs Artist
The Weeknd (Winner)
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
Silentó
Top Social Media Artist
Justin Bieber (Winner)
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Demi Lovato
Taylor Swift
Top Touring Artist
Taylor Swift (Winner)
Madonna
One Direction
The Rolling Stones
U2
Top R&B Artist
The Weeknd (Winner)
Chris Brown
Jeremih
Rihanna
Bryson Tiller
Top Rap Artist
Drake (Winner)
Fetty Wap
Future
Wiz Khalifa
Silentó
Top Country Artist
Luke Bryan (Winner)
Zac Brown Band
Sam Hunt
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Top Rock Artist
twenty one pilots (Winner)
Fall Out Boy
Elle King
Walk The Moon
X Ambassadors
Top Latin Artist
Romeo Santos (Winner)
Banda Sinaloense MS De Sergio Lizárraga
Juan Gabriel
Nicky Jam
Los Plebes Del Rancho de Ariel Camacho
Top Dance/Electronic Artist
David Guetta (Winner)
The Chainsmokers
DJ Snake
Major Lazer
Zedd
Top Christian Artist
Hillsong United (Winner)
Casting Crowns
Lauren Daigle
Mercy Me
Chris Tomlin
Top Gospel Artist
Kirk Franklin (Winner)
Anthony Brown and group therAPy
Tasha Cobbs
Travis Greene
Marvin Sapp
Top Soundtrack
Pitch Perfect 2 (Winner)
Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1
Fifty Shades of Grey
Furious 7
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1
Top R&B Album
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind The Madness (Winner)
Chris Brown, Royalty
Rihanna, Anti
Bryson Tiller, T R A P S O U L
Tyrese, Black Rose
Top Rap Album
Meek Mill, Dreams Worth More Than Money (Winner)
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
Top Country Album
Chris Stapleton, Traveller (Winner)
Luke Bryan, Kill The Lights
Sam Hunt, Montevallo
Zac Brown Band, Jekyll + Hyde
Carrie Underwood, Storyteller
Top Rock Album
twenty one pilots, Blurryface (Winner)
Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color
David Bowie, Blackstar
Coldplay, A Head Full Of Dreams
Mumford & Sons, Wilder Mind
Top Latin Album
Juan Gabriel, Los Dúo (Winner)
Juan Gabriel, Mis Número 1…40 Aniversario
Maná, Cama Incendiada
Gerardo Ortiz, Hoy Más Fuerte
Romeo Santos, Formula, Vol. 2
Top Dance/Electronic Album
Zedd, True Colors (Winner)
David Guetta, Listen
Major Lazer, Peace Is The Mission
Odesza, In Return
Skrillex & Diplo, Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü
Top Christian Album
Lauren Daigle, How Can It Be (Winner)
Hillsong United, Empires
Joey + Rory, Hymns That Are Important To Us
Toby Mac, This Is Not A Test
Chris Tomlin, Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship
Top Gospel Album
Kirk Franklin, Losing My Religion (Winner)
Anthony Brown & group therAPy, Everyday Jesus
Tasha Cobbs, One Place Live
Jonathan McReynolds, Life Music: Stage Two
Marvin Sapp, You Shall Live
Top Selling Song
Adele, “Hello” (Winner)
Wiz Khalifa, “See You Again” Feat. Charlie Puth
OMI, “Cheerleader”
Rachel Platten, “Fight Song”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Top Radio Song
Walk the Moon, “Shut Up And Dance” (Winner)
Adele, “Hello”
Wiz Khalifa, “See You Again” Feat. Charlie Puth
Mark Ronson, “Uptown Funk!” Feat. Bruno Mars
The Weeknd, Can’t Feel My Face”
Top Streaming Song (Audio)
The Weeknd, “The Hills” (Winner)
Justin Bieber, “Sorry”
Justin Bieber, “What Do You Mean”
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Drake “Hotline Bling”
Top Streaming Song (Video)
Silentó, “Watch Me” (Winner)
The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Wiz Khalifa, “See You Again”
Mark Ronson, “Uptown Funk!” Feat. Bruno Mars
Top R&B Song
The Weeknd, “The Hills” (Winner)
Alessia Cara, “Here”
Omarion, “Post To Be” Feat. Chris Brown & Jhené Aiko
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”
The Weeknd, “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)”
Top Rap Song
Wiz Khalifa, “See You Again” Feat. Charlie Puth (Winner)
Drake, “Hotline Bling”
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Fetty Wap, “679” Feat. Remy Boyz
Silentó, “Watch Me”
Top Country Song
Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man” (Winner)
Sam Hunt, “Break Up In A Small Town”
Sam Hunt, “Take Your Time”
Little Big Town, “Girl Crush”
Chris Young, “I’m Comin’ Over”
Top Rock Song
Walk the Moon, “Shut Up And Dance” (Winner)
Fall Out Boy, “Uma Thurman”
Elle King, “Ex’s & Oh’s”
twenty one pilots, “Stressed Out”
X Ambassadors, “Renegades”
Top Latin Song
Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El _Perdón” (Winner)
J Balvin, “Ginza”
Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho, “Te Metiste”
Maluma, “Borro Cassette”
Romeo Santos, “Propuesta Indecente”
Top Dance/Electronic Song
Major Lazer & DJ Snake, “Lean On” Feat. MØ (Winner)
The Chainsmokers, “Roses” Feat. Rozes
DJ Snake & AlunaGeorge, “You Know You Like It”
David Guetta, “Hey Mama” Feat. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack
Skrillex & Diplo, “Where Are Ü Now” with Justin Bieber
Top Christian Song
Hillsong United, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” (Winner)
Hillsong United, “Touch The Sky”
Mercy Me, “Flawless”
NeedToBreathe, “Brother” Feat. Gavin DeGraw
Chris Tomlin, “Good Good Father”
Top Gospel Song
Kirk Franklin, “Wanna Be Happy?” (Winner)
Anthony Brown & group therAPy, “Worth”
Erica Campbell, “I Luh God” Feat. Big Shizz
Travis Greene, “Intentional”
Brian Courtney Wilson, “Worth Fighting For”
Fan Voted Billboard Chart Achievement Award
Rihanna (Winner)
Adele
Drake
Little Big Town
The Weeknd