Billboard Awards 2021: The Weeknd, Drake lead nominations with highest number of nods
FirstpostWhile The Weeknd bags 16 nominations at the Billboard Awards, Drake is up for seven honours this year and will receive the Artist of the Decade Award. Some of the Grammys’ biggest critics, who felt they’ve been overlooked at the famed awards show, will take centre stage at another event: the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. But the Canadian performers will battle for the top prize at the Billboard Awards — top artist — where the competition includes Taylor Swift and late rappers Juice WRLD and Pop Smoke. Pop Smoke was restricted to a single nomination — best rap performance for the hit ‘Dior.’ However, Swift won album of the year for a third time with “evermore.” The Weeknd, Swift, Juice WRLD and Pop Smoke will compete for top Billboard 200 album, along with Lil Baby. For top Hot 100 song, nominees include The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights, DaBaby and Roddy Ricch’s Rockstar, Chris Brown and Young Thug’s Go Crazy, Gabby Barrett and Charlie Puth’s ‘I Hope,’ and 24kGoldn and iann dior’s ‘Mood.’ Unlike other awards shows where committees determine nominees, the Billboard Awards’ finalists are based on album and digital sales, streaming, radio airplay and social engagement.