Rihanna and Taylor Swift were two of the key winners at the Billboard Music Awards, which returned after a five-year hiatus with a major dose of star power, featuring Beyonce, U2, the Black Eyed Peas – even First Lady Michelle Obama.
Like many other awards shows, the three-hour Billboard Awards served more as a promotional vehicle for today’s top pop stars than a trophy presentation. The show was packed with performances – a piano-levitating Cee Lo Green, a scantily clad Rihanna on “S&M” joined by Britney Spears, a much-bleeped Lil Wayne with Mary J. Blige, and Neil Diamond leading the audience in a sing-a-long to “Sweet Caroline” and “America.”
Among Rihanna’s wins were for radio artist of the year and top female artist.
Swift won the evening’s first award, as top album artist, behind the multimillion sales for “Speak Now.” She also won top country artist.
“The impact of an album is all determined by the fans,” she told the audience when she picked up her first. “You’ve just given me another reason to be completely in love with you.”
Other award winners included Justin Bieber, Lady Antbellum and the Black Eyed Peas.
Beyonce received a special “Millennium” Award for her career achievements: The 29-year-old phenomenon was lauded in a video by an array of legends and luminaries, including Stevie Wonder, Barbara Streisand, Bono, Lady Gaga and Michelle Obama.
“This is a moment I have to soak in because it’s gonna be – and it is – one of the best moments of my life,” said Beyonce after getting the award from her mother, Tina Knowles. Beyonce also performed her new song, “Run the World (Girls).”
U2 was also honored for their blockbuster “360” tour as the top touring act of 2010, while Diamond received Billboard'”Icon” award.
“I would have settled for a top 10 record,” he quipped. “I don’t know what it means exactly to be an icon. I’ve always wanted to be one and I guess now I am.”
This year marks the Billboard Awards’ rebirth. The Billboard Awards had been a staple since 1989, but gave out what appeared to be its last award in 2006. This year, the show was brought back.
It was held in Las Vegas, broadcast live on ABC and hosted by “The Hangover 2′” star Ken Jeong.
The Billboard Music Awards are given out to music’s most popular artists. The finalists and winners are determined by their rank on the Billboard charts and their “social and streaming activity.”
Album Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift
Digital Artist of the Year – Justin Bieber
Song of the Year – Dynamite by Taio Cruz
Country Song of the Year – Need You Now by Lady Antebellum
Millennium Award – Beyonce
Top Duo/Group – Black Eyed Peas
Viral Innovator Award – Cee Lo Green
Radio Artist of the Year – Rihanna
Best New Artist – Justin Bieber
Top Latin Album – Euphoria by Enrique Iglesias
Top Latin Artist – Shakira
Country Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift
Artist of the Year – Eminem
Male Artist of the Year – Eminem
Female Artist of the Year – Rihanna
Hot 100 Artist of the Year – Katy Perry
Digital Songs Artist of the Year – Katy Perry
Top Touring Artist of the Year – U2
Top Social Artist of the Year – Justin Bieber
Streaming Artist of the Year – Justin Bieber
Digital Media Artist of the Year – Justin Bieber
Pop Artist of the Year – Lady Gaga
R&B Artist of the Year – Usher
Rap Artist of the Year – Eminem
Rock Artist of the Year – Train
Alternative Artist of the Year – Mumford & Sons
Dance/Electronic Artist of the Year – Lady Gaga
Christian Artist of the Year – Chris Tomlin
Album of the Year – Recovery by Eminem
Pop Album of the Year – My World 2.0 by Justin Bieber
R&B Album of the Year – Raymond v. Raymond by Usher
Rap Album of the Year – Recovery by Eminem
Country Album of the Year – Speak Now by Taylor Swift
Rock Album of the Year – Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons
Alternative Album of the Year – Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons
Dance/Electronic/Electronic Album of the Year – The Fame by Lady Gaga
Christian Album of the Year – Awake by Skillet
Digital Song of the Year – Dynamite by Taio Cruz
Radio Song of the Year – Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars
Streaming Song of the Year – Just a Dream by Nelly
Streaming Song (Video) of the Year – Baby by Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris
Pop Song of the Year – Dynamite by Taio Cruz
R&B Song of the Year – OMG by Usher featuring will.i.am
Rap Song of the Year – Love the Way You Lie by Eminem featuring Rihanna
Rock Song of the Year – Soul Sister by Train
Alternative Song of the Year – Animal by Neon Trees
Latin Song of the Year – Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) by Shakira
Dance/Electronic Song of the Year – Stereo Love by Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina
Christian Song of the Year – Our Good by Chris Tomlin
Billboard Fan Favorite – Justin Bieber
Billboard Icon Award – Neil Diamond
Dreamseeker Artist of the Year – Gentlemen Hall.
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