Honoured at Billboard awards
Country star Morgan Wallen and rapper Travis Scott made controversial performances at the show which was emceed by Sean “Diddy” Combs
Travis Scott and Morgan Wallen made controversial performances on the Billboard Music Awards stage on Sunday, while Mary J. Blige was honoured for her musical excellence.
Wallen performed in his first major awards show after he was caught on camera using a racial slur. After not receiving a verbal introduction, the country star sat alongside his four-piece band and performed Don’t Think Jesus then his chart-topping Wasted on You,
a single from his popular project
Dangerous: The Double Album.
Shortly after his performance, rapper Pusha T presented Wallen with the top country artist award.
Shortly after Wallen’s set, Scott made his first televised performance since a massive crowd surge killed 10 people and injured thousands at his Astroworld Festival in Houston in November last year. The rapper performed his single Mafia in an icy, polar-themed pre-recorded set that was heavily censored.
Mary J. Blige received the Icon Award for being an influential music maker. The singer, known as the Queen of Hip-hop Soul, was presented the award by Janet Jackson and escorted on stage by Sean “Diddy” Combs who emceed the show, which was broadcast live from the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. Blige said she was in a “dream right now” after she received the honour. She spoke about the journey of becoming an icon not being an easy feat during her stellar career. “I’ve been on this journey for a long time, one that didn’t always look the way you see me now,” she said. “One that is filled with a lot of heartache and pain, but God helped me to channel those experiences and emotions in my music which is where I started in music.”
Earlier, Drake was named top artist, male artist, rap artist, rap male artist and rap album for
Certified Lover Boy. The rapper extended his record as the most decorated winner in the history of the awards show with 34 wins. AP