Bbmas 2019

The 2019 Billboard Music Awards (May 1) featured legendary pop artists, iconic boy bands, fast-rising trendsetters, and plenty in between. The list of nominees was announced on April 4, 2019. The Billboard music awards were on May 1st, with Kelly Clarkson hosting and Cardi B leading the nominees with 21 nominees in 18 categories. It was a big night for many but for Drake it was historical. Drake won 12 awards that night, breaking the record of most awards won. Drake walked off with 12 trophies -- including Top Male Artist, Top 200 album for "Scorpion," and the biggest award of the night, Top Artist. The 2019 Billboard Music Awards ceremony was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It aired live on NBC and was hosted by Kelly Clarkson for a second year in a row. Taylor Swift kicked off the ceremony -- and her poppier new era -- with an opening performance of “ME!” that featured a marching band decked out in bubblegum-pink uniforms. This caused some controversy from Beyoncé fans because they said that it was her thing to have a marching band performing with her. Both Taylor and Brendon Urie from Panic! At the Disco’s received neglect from the fans because of the opening bands in the performance. While the ceremony soared with high energy, there were a few serious moments that kept it from becoming too crazy. During Imagine Dragons’ speech following its top rock artist win, frontman Dan Reynolds shed light on a serious issue affecting the LGBTQ+ community. “I just want to take this moment to say that there are 34 States that have no laws banning conversion therapy. And on top of that, 58 percent of our LGBTQ population live in those states,” Reynolds said. “This can change, but it’s going to take all of us talking to our state legislators, pushing forward laws to protect our LBGTQ youth.”