2020 Billboard Music Awards Explained

2020 Billboard Music Awards
Location:Dolby Theatre
Los Angeles, California
Network:NBC
Most Wins:Post Malone (9)
Most Nominations:Post Malone (16)
Previous:2019
Main:Billboard Music Awards
Next:2021
Viewership:3.71 million[1]

The 2020 Billboard Music Awards were held on Wednesday October 14, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The ceremony was broadcast live from NBC. Hosted by Kelly Clarkson for the third year in a row, the ceremony was sponsored by TikTok and Xfinity. The ceremony was originally scheduled for April 29, 2020, but was later postponed first indefinitely and then to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nominees were announced on September 22, 2020. Voting opened on TikTok on October 1 and closed on October 13. Presenters were announced October 13.

Post Malone was the most awarded, with nine awards.[2] Malone was also the most nominated, with 16 nominations.[3] Garth Brooks and Killer Mike received the Icon Award and the inaugural Change Maker Award, respectively.[4] [5]

Background

The 2020 ceremony was originally scheduled to be held April 29, 2020, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.[6] Kelly Clarkson was announced as the host. She had previously hosted the 2018 and 2019 ceremonies. On March 17, NBC and Dick Clark Productions issued a joint statement postponing the ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the statement, they stated "[in] accordance with the current guidelines set forth by national and local health officials and in order to ensure the health and safety of our artists, fans, guests and staff, [w]e are postponing the Billboard Music Awards."[7] On August 14 of the same year, the show was rescheduled for October 14.[8] On September 22, the nominees for all categories were announced.[9] The first round of performers were announced September 29. Garth Brooks received the Icon Award, as announced on February 26, 2020; succeeding Mariah Carey, who won the award in 2019.[10] [11] Killer Mike received the inaugural Change Maker Award, as announced two days before the ceremony.[12] Voting for fan-voted categories opened on dance video platform TikTok on October 1. TikTok and Xfinity sponsored the ceremony.

Performers

Performer(s)! scope="col"
Song(s)
Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix and Sheila E."Higher Love"
Sia"Courage to Change"
Kane Brown, Swae Lee, Khalid"Be Like That"
Alicia Keys"Love Looks Better"
Luke Combs"Better Together"
Post Malone and Tyla Yaweh"Circles"
"Tommy Lee"
Brandy"Borderline"
"Almost Doesn't Count"
"No Tomorrow, pt 2." (with Ty Dolla Sign)
John Legend"Never Break"
Bad Bunny, Ivy Queen and Nesi"Yo Perreo Sola"
Doja Cat"Juicy"
"Say So"
"Like That"
Garth BrooksIcon Award Medley:
"The Thunder Rolls"
"Callin' Baton Rouge"
"The River"
"Standing Outside the Fire"
"That Summer"
"Dive Bar"
"Friends in Low Places"
"The Dance"
Saint Jhn"Roses"
Demi Lovato"Commander in Chief"
BTS"Dynamite"
En Vogue"Free Your Mind"
Notes

Winners and nominees

Nominees were announced in a series of Twitter statements on September 22, 2020. Post Malone was the most nominated, with 16 nominations, followed by Lil Nas X with 13, and Khalid and Billie Eilish with 12. Voting for the three fan-voted categories, Billboard Chart Achievement, Top Social Artist and Best Collaboration opened on dance-sharing video app TikTok on October 1, 2020,[13] and closed on October 13.[14]

Winners are first and are in bold.[15]

Top ArtistTop New ArtistBillboard Chart Achievement
(fan-voted)
Top Male ArtistTop Female ArtistTop Duo/Group
Top Billboard 200 ArtistTop Hot 100 ArtistTop Streaming Songs Artist
Top Song Sales ArtistTop Social Artist
(fan-voted)
Top Touring ArtistTop R&B ArtistTop R&B Male Artist
Top R&B Female ArtistTop R&B TourTop Rap Artist
Top Rap Male ArtistTop Rap Female ArtistTop Rap Tour
Top Country ArtistTop Country Male ArtistTop Country Female Artist
Top Country Duo/GroupTop Country TourTop Rock Artist
Top Rock TourTop Latin ArtistTop Dance/Electronic Artist
Top Christian Artist Top Gospel ArtistTop Billboard 200 Album
Top SoundtrackTop R&B AlbumTop Rap Album
Top Country AlbumTop Rock AlbumTop Latin Album
Top Dance/Electronic AlbumTop Christian AlbumTop Gospel Album
Top Hot 100 SongTop Streaming Song Top Selling Song
Top Radio Song Top Collaboration (fan-voted)Top R&B Song
Top Rap Song Top Country SongTop Rock Song
Top Latin SongTop Dance/Electronic SongTop Christian Song
Top Gospel SongIcon AwardChange Maker Award
  • Garth Brooks

Presenters

Presenters were announced October 13 in a series of Twitter statements.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: TV Ratings: Billboard Music Awards Slump. October 15, 2020. October 20, 2020. Porter. Rick. Hollywood Reporter.
  2. Atkinson . Katie . October 15, 2020 . 2020 Billboard Music Awards Winners: Complete List . May 9, 2023 . . en-US.
  3. Aniftos . Rania . September 22, 2020 . Post Malone Leads 2020 Billboard Music Awards Nominations With 16: Full List . May 9, 2023 . . en-US.
  4. Newman . Melinda . October 15, 2020 . Icon Garth Brooks Delivers a Rousing Medley of Hits at 2020 Billboard Music Awards . May 9, 2023 . . en-US.
  5. Grein . Paul . October 12, 2020 . Killer Mike to Receive Billboard Music Awards' First-Ever Change Maker Award . May 9, 2023 . . en-US.
  6. Web site: The show will air live April 29 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on NBC.. December 8, 2019. Kirsten Spruch. Hollywood Reporter.
  7. Web site: 2020 Billboard Music Awards Postponed. March 17, 2020. September 22, 2020. Billboard Music Awards.
  8. Web site: The 2020 BBMAs Are Set for Wednesday, October 14. August 14, 2020. September 22, 2020. Billboard Music Awards.
  9. Web site: Nominees Announced for the 2020 Billboard Music Awards. September 22, 2020. September 22, 2020. Billboard Music Awards.
  10. Web site: Garth Brooks to Receive Icon Award at the BBMAs. February 26, 2020. September 22, 2020. Billboard Music Awards.
  11. Web site: Garth Brooks Will Receive the Icon Award and Perform at 2020 Billboard Music Awards. Slater. Georgia. February 26, 2020. September 23, 2020. People.
  12. BBMAs. 1315630799245447171. October 12, 2020. October 12, 2020. We are thrilled to announce that @KillerMike will be the first ever recipient of the Billboard Change Maker Award, presented by the Mayor of Atlanta @KeishaBottoms, during the 2020 #BBMAs..
  13. Aniftos. Rania. October 1, 2020. Voting for 2020 Billboard Music Awards' Fan-Voted Categories Begins Today on TikTok. October 3, 2020. Billboard.
  14. BBMAs. 1315668553509478409. Experiencing #VOMO (vote or miss out)? It's not too late! Vote closes TOMORROW. Visit @tiktok_us and search #BBMAsVote to vote!. October 12, 2020. October 12, 2020.
  15. Web site: Nakamura . Reid . October 15, 2020 . 2020 Billboard Music Awards: Complete Winners List . May 9, 2023 . . en-US.