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Drake and a record break
The rapper won big at the Billboard Music Awards; singer Celine Dion gave one helluva performance
Thirteen ain’t an unlucky number, not for Drake, at least! The Canadian rapper won a record-breaking 13 trophies at the Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) in Las Vegas, US, on Sunday.
Winning the biggest of honours, including Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist and Top Rap Artist, 30-year-old Drake broke (English singer) Adele’s 2012 record for most number of BBMAs in a year. “I got my whole family up here, look at my dad looking all sharp!... I got the man responsible for being here, the love of my life,” said a triumphant Drake while accepting the Top Artist trophy. “Hold tight Adele!” were the words that followed!
Making this year’s do even more unforgettable was another Canadian artist — singer Celine Dion. The 49-year-old sang her smash hit, My Heart Will Go On, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the evergreen song that featured in the 1997 hit Hollywood film, Titanic. “OMG @ celinedion I HAVe always lived for you PLS BEAT YOUR CHEST AT THE END OF THIS PERFORMANXE #BBMAs (sic),” tweeted singer Katy Perry, one of the several celebs who hailed Dion for her moving performance.
The starry audience also observed a moment of silence for late rocker Chris Cornell. Dan Reynolds of (rock band) Imagine Dragons paid a tribute to Cornell, who was found dead in his hotel room in Detroit, on Thursday. “He was a true innovator, a musical architect and a pioneer on the cutting edge of the Seattle grunge movement,” Reynolds said in Cornell’s honour.
A MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED FOR CHRIS CORNELL. DAN REYNOLDS (ABOVE) PAID A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE AMERICAN ROCKER
Sunday Night in Las Vegas saw some of the world’s best musicians getting under one roof to celebrate the best of music in the last one year. The threehour show — hosted by hiphop artist Ludacris and former High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgins — included performances by artists Nicki Minaj, The Chainsmokers, and Imagine Dragons. Minaj kicked off the evening’s proceedings and set the stage on fire with her nine-minute dance medley, featuring artists such as David Guetta, Jason Derulo and Lil Wayne. Singer Miley Cyrus gave an emotional performance, as she sang her recently released single, Malibu. The 24-yearold singer choked up while singing the lines, “dream come true” and a “brand new start” towards the end of the song.