2022 Billboard Music Awards: All the night's performances and big wins
The BBMAs returned Sunday night, hosted by Diddy from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Kicking off the celebratory night in music was an opening performance from the host himself, who was later joined by Jack Harlow, who delivered his chart-topping hit, "First Class."
When it came to awards, Doja Cat, who had a whopping 14 nods, won the first trophy of the night, snagging the award for top R&B album for her 2021's "Planet Her." She also won top R&B artist during the three-hour televised ceremony.
Another big winner at the BBMAs was Olivia Rodrigo. Though her awards weren't televised, she took home seven, including top new artist.
To no surprise, BTS also secured a few BBMAs and made history in the process. For the third year in a row, the K-pop group won for top duo/group, tying the record held by One Direction for most wins in the category.
Ye and Drake were two other big winners of the night. Ye earned six awards, all in the Christian and Gospel categories for top artist, top album for Donda, and top song for "Hurricane." Drake secured five awards, including top artist and top rap album.
Thanks to her re-recorded "Fearless" and "Red" albums, Taylor Swift won four awards, including top country album for "Red (Taylor's Version)."
As for Eric Church, he won top country tour, which pitted him against Luke Bryan's "Proud to Be Right Here Tour" and Stapleton's "All-American Road Show Tour." Dan + Shay won top country duo/group, while Morgan Wallen took home the award for top male country artist. Wallen shared in his acceptance speech: "I'd like to say thank God that my fans. I got the best damn fans ... thank you to my mama for being my date tonight. I wouldn't be here without you."
During the three-hour televised ceremony, Janet Jackson presented Mary J. Blige the Billboard Icon Award.
"The message in my music has always been that we are not alone in our struggles. And I'm not alone now," Blige said. "For so long, I was searching for a real love, but I finally found my real love. And that real love is me."
When it came to performances, Latto sparkled on stage with her hit "Big Energy," and Megan Thee Stallion, who took home the award for top rap female artist, performed her songs "Plan B" and "Sweetest Pie."
Silk Sonic made their BBMA onstage debut and brought the 70s disco vibes with their performance of "Love's Train," while from Belfast, Ed Sheeran delivered an impressive production of his hit, "2Step."
Also hitting the stage, in his first awards show appearance since the Astrowold Festival tragedy, Travis Scott performed "MAFIA" and "Lost Forever."
Becky G also put on a show-stopping act with her new tracks "Baile Con Mi Ex" and "Mamiii."
The legendary Maxwell serenaded the audience with "The Lady in My Life" and closing out the show was Burna Boy with an energetic production of his songs "Last Last" and "Kilometre."
