Ed Sheeran (Photo: Greg Williams)
The 2018 Billboard Music Awards were handed out on Sunday night, with Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Imagine Dragons and Kendrick Lamar among the big winners. Kelly Clarkson hosted the show and took a moment to honor the victims of Friday’s school shooting in her home state of Texas. “I’m a Texas girl and my home state has had so much heartbreak over this past year. And once again, y’all, we’re grieving for more kids that have died for just no reason at all,” she said.”
Sheeran won Top Artist for the year, as well as Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist and Top Radio Song (“Shape of You”). Lamar was the winner for Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Selling Album and Top Rap Album. Mars won Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Male Artist, Top R&B Tour, Top R&B Album and Top R&B Song (“That’s What I Like”). Imagine Dragons won in multiple categories as well, including Top Duo/Group, Top Rock Artist, Top Rock Album and Top Rock Song (“Believer”).
There were of course a number of performances throughout the show, most notably Janet Jackson. It was the singer’s first TV performance in nine years, as she sang a medley of her hits. Jackson was honored with the BBMA’s Icon Award.
