Ed over the moon as he battles Mars in gong-fest
Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar and Bruno Mars have topped the nominations for the Billboard Music Awards, with each receiving 15 nods.
All three are up for Best Artist and will compete with Drake, who has nine nominations, and Taylor Swift, who has five. Serial chart star Ed, 27, who has sold more than 26 million albums, has also been nominated for Top Male Artist, Top Touring Artist and Top Hot 100 Artist in next month’s US showdown.
He faces tough competition for all of these gongs from Hawaiian-born phenomenon Bruno Mars, while rapper Lamar’s latest album Damn is nominated in three categories. Top Female Artist will be contested by Cuban-born Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Halsey, Demi Lovato and Swift.
Elsewhere, Irish veterans U2’s storming live performances bagged nods for Top Touring Artist and Top Rock Tour. They are up against a revitalised Guns N’ Roses. Meanwhile, singing legend Lionel Richie, 68, proved his staying power with a nomination for Top R&B Tour.
The ceremony will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, on Sunday, May 20.