By: Harmony Takhar
Billboard Music Awards of 2015 were held on May 17. The show started with the world premiere of Taylor Swift’s new music video, “Bad Blood” ft. Kendrick Lamar. Swift surprised viewers to find out Kendrick Lamar would be in the video, and many fans were not aware the artists had collaborated. The video starred many of Swift’s friends, such as Selena Gomez, Zendaya Coleman, Gigi Hadid, Jessica Alba, etc.
The hosts of the show this year were Ludacris (Christopher Brian “Chris” Bridges) and Chrissy Teigen (wife of John Legend). Ludacris was the host the previous year as well.
Performances of the show were by Nick Jonas, Nicki Minaj, David Guetta, Hosier, Wiz Khalifa, Britney Spears, Iggy Azalea, Mariah Carey, Chris Brown, Pitbull, Simple Minds, Fallout Boyz, Van Halen, Kelly Clarkson, Charlie Puth, Jussie Smollett, Bryshere Gray, Estelle, Ed Sheeran, Meghan Trainor, John Legend, Tori Kelly, Little Big Hill, Faith Hill, and Imagine Dragons. There was also a finale performance by Kanye West, but to many viewers it wasn’t as good of a performance possible. West’s microphone was censored, and most of the songs were cut out. West’s songs, however, did not contain as much as profanity as was censored out and that’s what upset many viewers.
The following were the awards won:
Top duo/group: One Direction
Top Billboard 200 Album: Taylor Swift, 1989
Top Rap Song: Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX, “Fancy”
Top New Artist, Top Male Artist: Sam Smith
Top Radio Songs Artist: John Legend
Top Touring Artist: One Direction
Top Social Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Streaming Artist, Top Rap Artist: Iggy Azalea
Top R&B Artist: Pharell Williams
Top Country Artist: Florida Georgia Line
Top Rock Artist: Hozier
Top Latin Artist: Romeo Santos
Top Dance/ Electronic Artist: Calvin Harris
Top Christian Artist: Hillsong United
Top Soundtrack: Frozen
Top R&B Album: Pharrell Williams, G I R L
Top Rap Album: J. Cole, 2014 Forest Hills Drive
Top Country Album: Jason Aldean, Old Boots, New Dirt
Top Rock Album: Coldplay, Ghost Stories
Top Latin Album: Enrique Iglesias, Sex and Love
Top Dance/ Electronic Album: Lindsey Stirling, Shatter Me
Top Christian Album: Lecrae, Anomaly
Top Hot 100 Song, Top Digital Song: Meghan Trainor, “All About That Bass”
Top Radio Songs: Sam Smith, “Stay With Me”
Top Streaming Song(Audio): John Legend, “All of Me”
Top Streaming Song(Video): Taylor Swift, “Shake It Off”
Top R&B Song: Pharrell Williams, “Happy”
Top Country Song: Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down”
Top Rock Song: Hozier, “Take Me to Church”
Top Latin Song: Enrique Iglesias ft Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona, “Bailando”
Top Dance/ Electronic Song: DJ Snake & Lil Jon, “Turn Down For What”
Top Christian Song: Carrie Underwood, “Something in the Water”
Sources:
“Billboard Music Awards 2015.” Billboard Music Awards 2015. ABC. 17 May 2015. Television.
