In a virtual extravaganza that captivated music enthusiasts worldwide, the 2023 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) unfolded in a groundbreaking format, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Hosted by Dick Clark Productions and presented by Marriott Bonvoy, the awards ceremony showcased the pinnacle of musical achievement with Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen emerging as the night's shining stars, setting new records and securing their places in music history.
Taylor Swift, a perennial force in the industry, etched her name alongside Drake as the most decorated BBMA winner of all time, each boasting a career total of 39 awards. Swift's journey to this milestone was celebrated with the coveted Top Artist award and an additional nine trophies, bringing her grand total to an awe-inspiring 39. In an emotional acceptance speech, Swift expressed her gratitude to the fans, stating, None of this happens without you. She attributed her success to the passionate support of her fan base, acknowledging their role in making The Eras Tour and her re-recordings monumental successes.
Morgan Wallen, the breakout country star, proved to be the night's biggest winner, clinching a remarkable 11 awards, including Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, and more. Wallen, known for his raw talent and authenticity, delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech, reflecting on his journey from a boy in East Tennessee to becoming one of Billboard's top artists. His words resonated with humility and gratitude, thanking his fans for transforming him into a music industry powerhouse.
The star-studded event featured exclusive performances by some of the industry's biggest names, including Mariah Carey, David Guetta, Bebe Rexha, KAROL G, Tate McRae, NewJeans, Peso Pluma, Stray Kids, and, of course, Morgan Wallen. The excitement continued with special appearances by Burna Boy, Coldplay, Lauren Daigle, Fuerza Regida, Selena Gomez, Jungkook, Latto, Metro Boomin, Nicki Minaj, Mark Ronson, CeCe Winans, and the Zac Brown Band, creating an unforgettable musical experience.
This year's BBMAs showcased a unique collaboration with Spotify's Fans First program, honoring the most loyal fans by inviting them to attend intimate performances. The awards ceremony also paid a special tribute to the Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, who received the Billboard Chart Achievement Award for her timeless holiday classic All I Want For Christmas Is You. Carey's performance marked a historic moment, as it was the first time the iconic holiday anthem was performed on an award show.
The innovative performances included Mariah Carey's mesmerizing rendition of All I Want For Christmas Is You, KAROL G's sultry water-filled stage performance, Morgan Wallen's hometown rendition at the Atlanta Braves' Truist Park, and the U.S. award show debut of K-Pop group NewJeans, who performed their chart-topping singles Super Shy and OMG.
The 2023 Billboard Music Awards is presented by Marriott Bonvoy, showcasing a novel approach with performances hosted at extraordinary hotel brands within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. The sponsorship extended to Marriott Bonvoy providing select fans with access to attend five BBMAs performances, creating unparalleled experiences for attendees.
Lexus, another key sponsor, added an element of surprise by treating one lucky fan to the ultimate VIP treatment, offering the best seat in the house and an unforgettable experience with a private ride in a luxury Lexus vehicle to a one-of-a-kind performance.
For almost three decades, the BBMAs have been a platform for spectacular performances, unexpected collaborations, and buzzworthy pop culture moments. The awards, unique among music shows, determine winners based on year-end performance metrics on the Billboard charts, the ultimate authority and data-driven measure of success in the music industry.
For comprehensive coverage, follow the BBMAs on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and YouTube, using the hashtag #BBMAs. Stay updated with the latest news and highlights at BillboardMusicAwards.com and BBMAs.watch.
Complete List of 2023 Billboard Music Awards Winners:
Artist awards:
Top Artist: Taylor Swift
Top New Artist: Zach Bryan
Top Male Artist: Morgan Wallen
Top Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Duo/Group: Fuerza Regida
Top Billboard 200 Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Artist: Morgan Wallen
Top Hot 100 Songwriter: Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Producer: Joey Moi
Top Streaming Songs Artist: Morgan Wallen
Top Radio Songs Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Song Sales Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Billboard Global 200 Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Artist: Taylor Swift
Top R&B Artist: SZA
Top R&B Male Artist: The Weeknd
Top R&B Female Artist: SZA
Top R&B Touring Artist: Beyoncé
Top Rap Artist: Drake
Top Rap Male Artist: Drake
Top Rap Female Artist: Nicki Minaj
Top Rap Touring Artist: Drake
Top Country Artist: Morgan Wallen
Top Country Male Artist: Morgan Wallen
Top Country Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Country Duo/Group: Zac Brown Band
Top Country Touring Artist: Morgan Wallen
Top Rock Artist: Zach Bryan
Top Rock Duo/Group: Arctic Monkeys
Top Rock Touring Artist: Coldplay
Top Latin Artist: Bad Bunny
Top Latin Male Artist: Bad Bunny
Top Latin Female Artist: KAROL G
Top Latin Duo/Group: Fuerza Regida
Top Latin Touring Artist: KAROL G
Top Global K-Pop Artist: NewJeans
Top K-Pop Touring Artist: BLACKPINK
Top Afrobeats Artist: Burna Boy
Top Dance/Electronic Artist: Beyoncé
Top Christian Artist: Lauren Daigle
Top Gospel Artist: Kanye West
Album awards:
Top Billboard 200 Album: Morgan Wallen One Thing At A Time
Top Soundtrack: Barbie The Album
Top R&B Album: SZA SOS
Top Rap Album: Drake & 21 Savage Her Loss
Top Country Album: Morgan Wallen One Thing At A Time
Top Rock Album: Zach Bryan American Heartbreak
Top Latin Album: Bad Bunny Un Verano Sin Ti
Top K-Pop Album: Stray Kids 5-STAR
Top Dance/Electronic Album: Beyoncé Renaissance
Top Christian Album: Anne Wilson My Jesus
Top Gospel Album: Maveric City Music x
Discover the official photos on our Flickr page
(Source : press release)