Drake has huge night at Billboard Awards, wins top artist

Mother's Day is in a couple weeks, but rap star Drake honoured his mom when he won the night's top honor at the 2019 Billboard music Awards.

Drake picked up top artist - besting Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Post Malone and Travis Scott - in Las Vegas on Wednesday night.

He looked up to the ceiling as he held the trophy, then saying: "I just want to thank my mom for her relentless effort in my life."

Drake, who walked into MGM Grand Garden Arena with 17 nominations, also won top male artist and Billboard 200 album for "Scorpion."

"Shout-out to Arya Stark for putting in that work last week," he said of the "Game of Thrones" star who shined in last week's episode.

BTS was also having a major night. At the Billboard Awards and American music Awards, the K-pop band had only previously won "social" awards based off their fanatic fan base, but on Wednesday BTS picked up top duo/group, besting Grammy-winning groups like Maroon 5, Imagine Dragons and Dan + Shay.

The show was a family affair: Ciara's husband, NFL player Russell Wilson, and young son danced along while she worked the stage, and Nick and Joe Jonas gave kisses to Priyanka Chopra and Sophie Turner of "Game of Thrones" fame when they sang in the audience before hitting the stage.

Mariah Carey's twins cheered her on as she sang a medley of her hits and accepted the Icon award. She was in diva form before taking the award from Jennifer Hudson, throwing her napkin on the floor after dabbing her face with it.

Cardi B, the night's top nominee with 21, locked lips with husband Offset on the red carpet and the couple sat closely inside the venue. She will compete for top artist along with Drake, Scott, Malone and Ariana Grande.

"I remember when I first hit the Billboard (chart) at No. 85 with 'Bodak Yellow' - I celebrated that the same way I celebrated all my No. 1s on the Hot 100," she said after winning the top rap song honor for "I Like It."

Taylor Swift kicked off the show when she brought her new music video to life with a colorful, eye-popping performance of her song "ME!" She was backed by dancers wearing bright, pastel colors and her featured guest - Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco - descended from the ceiling holding an umbrella

Kelly Clarkson is hosting the show for a second time - and sang a medley of hits following Swift's performance, from Cardi B's "I Like It" to "Boo'd Up" by Ella Mai, who won the first award of the evening, top R&B artist.

Associated Press