Justin Bieber and Eminem win big at Billboard Music Awards which has been held at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The former dominates winner list with seven kudos including Top New Artist, and the latter takes home six gongs including Top Artist.
Bieber got early prizes for Top Social Artist, Top Streaming Artist, Top Pop Album and Top Streaming Song (Video) even before the show was kicked off. He later grabs Digital Artist of the Year, Top New Artist and Fan Favorite Award at the live ceremony which is hosted by Ken Jeong on May 22.
When winning the Digital Artist kudo, Bieber gave a shout-out to his fans in Canada, "I want to thank everybody who helped get me out of my hometown." The teen pop idol additionally credited his mentor Usher for his meteoric success.
When collecting Top New Artist trophy, he said, "I'm 17 and I want to thank God because, you know, he's blessed me so much. Every day is crazy because I see so many people. It's crazy that I'm surrounded by so many amazing people." He added, "I want to thank my fans again for being so amazing. I want to thank my mum."
Eminem, meanwhile, is absent from the show. The Slim Shady receives a total of six awards including Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Rap Album as well as Top Rap Song. In winning the top honor, Eminem beats Bieber, Lady GaGa, Rihanna and Taylor Swift.
Although the three female artists fail to grab the top honor, they still manage to bring home multiple honors. GaGa, who was nominated in 15 categories, wins Top Dance/Electronic Artist, Top Pop Artist and Top Dance/Electronic/Electronic Album. RiRi scoops Top Female Artist and Top Radio Song Artist. Also Eminem's single "Love the Way You Lie", which features her on the hook, is named Top Rap Song. "Now I can't remember anything I wanted to say," she said when taking the stage to accept one of the awards. "So I am going to look for the faces."
As for Swift, the country music singer snatches Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Country Artist and Top Country Album. She said when winning Top Country Artist, "I just remember I used to watch the Billboard awards and see my heroes like Shania Twain and Faith Hill win these and now ... I'm just having the best time doing this. I want to thank country radio and the fans for letting me do what I love more than anything in the world."
ARTIST AWARDS:
- Top Artist: Eminem
- Top New Artist: Justin Bieber
- Top Male Artist: Eminem
- Top Female Artist: Rihanna
- Top Duo/Group: Black Eyed Peas
- Top Billboard 200 Artist: Taylor Swift
- Top Hot 100 Artist: Katy Perry
- Top Digital Songs Artist: Katy Perry
- Top Radio Songs Artist: Rihanna
- Top Touring Artist: U2
- Top Social Artist: Justin Bieber
- Top Streaming Artist: Justin Bieber
- Top Digital Media Artist: Justin Bieber
- Top Pop Artist: Lady GaGa
- Top R&B Artist: Usher
- Top Rap Artist: Eminem
- Top Country Artist: Taylor Swift
- Top Rock Artist: Train
- Top Alternative Artist: Mumford & Sons
- Top Latin Artist: Shakira
- Top Dance/Electronic Artist: Lady GaGa
- Top Christian Artist: Chris Tomlin
- Top Billboard 200 Album: Eminem - "Recovery"
- Top Pop Album: Justin Bieber - "My World 2.0"
- Top R&B Album: Usher - "Raymond vs. Raymond"
- Top Rap Album: Eminem - "Recovery"
- Top Country Album: Taylor Swift - "Speak Now"
- Top Rock Album: Mumford & Sons "Sigh No More"
- Top Alternative Album: Mumford & Sons "Sigh No More"
- Top Latin Album: Enrique Iglesias - "Euphoria"
- Top Dance/Electronic/Electronic Album: Lady GaGa - "The Fame"
- Top Christian Album: Skillet - "Awake"
- Top Hot 100 Song: Taio Cruz - "Dynamite"
- Top Digital Song: Taio Cruz - "Dynamite"
- Top Radio Song: Bruno Mars - "Just the Way You Are"
- Top Streaming Song (Audio): Nelly - "Just a Dream"
- Top Streaming Song (Video): Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris - "Baby"
- Top Pop Song: Taio Cruz - "Dynamite"
- Top R&B Song: Usher ft. will.i.am "OMG"
- Top Rap Song: Eminem ft. Rihanna - "Love the Way You Lie"
- Top Country Song: Lady Antebellum - "Need You Now"
- Top Rock Song: Train - "Hey, Soul Sister"
- Top Alternative Song: Neon Trees - "Animal"
- Top Latin Song: Shakira ft. Freshleyground - "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)"
- Top Dance/Electronic Song: Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina - "Stereo Love"
- Top Christian Song: Chris Tomlin - "Our God"
- Millennium Award: Beyonce Knowles
- Icon Award: Neil Diamond
- Viral Innovator Award: Cee-Lo Green
- Fan Favorite Award: Justin Bieber
- Heatseeker of the Year: Gentleman Hall