Justin Bieber Lip Syncing At Billboard Music Awards 2016 - VIDEO
Madonna paid homage to Prince by wearing his signature color and bringing another icon Stevie Wonder onstage to sing the classic Purple Rain at Sundays Billboard Music Awards.
Sitting atop a purple throne, Madonna kicked off the tribute with a version of Nothing Compares 2 U, which Prince wrote and Sinead OConnor recorded. She as teary-eyed as she sang the song, videos and photos of Prince projected behind her.
Wonder, in a purple scarf, later joined her for Purple Rain as the audience at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas sang along.
StoryBillboard Music Awards 5 biggest momentsPERFORMANCES, WINNERS, MOREPhotos: Billboard Music Awards highlightsVideoWatch: Adele, Madonna, more at Billboard AwardsMost of all, thank you Prince Rogers Nelson for all that youve given us, Madonna said after the performance.
Prince died on April 21 at age 57. The icons collaborated on Love Song in 1989 and Madonna was met with criticism online when Billboard announced she would be the one to pay homage to The Purple One. Some felt she should not do the tribute alone, and others said a black artist should be involved.
All of us live in the land of music and his departure was an earthquake, Roots drummer Ahmir Questlove Thompson said before the performance. I just want to take a moment to remember the great Prince Rogers Nelson.
The Weeknd, the nights big winner with eight, dedicated an award to Prince and told the audience, I love him so much. I didnt know him, but he was so close to me. He will always be an inspiration. However, The Weeknd lost the nights big award top artist to Adele, who didnt attend the show because shes on tour.
Celine Dion and Kesha, both in the midst of drama in their personal lives, gave emotional performances during the three-hour show.
Dion sang Queens The Show Must Go On in strong form, sporting a shiny dress and backed by a powerful orchestra. Dion lost her husband and brother in the same week in January, and her son presented her with the Billboard icon award after her performance.
Im so sorry. Im sorry for crying. I want to be so strong for my family and kids ... I dont want to cry in front of you, a teary Dion said to Rene-Charles Angelil.
Dion said her late husband Rene Angelil will continue to watch over me from up above.
Kesha sang a heart-wrenching cover of Bob Dylans It Aint Me Babe. She stood still in a cream suit and was backed by a pianist and violinist, hitting all the right notes and growing teary-eyed near the end.
She earned a standing ovation from the audience a welcome response after the performance was initially nixed by her former mentor, Dr. Luke. The hit-making producer and his record label gave Kesha the OK to perform after she said she would not use the stage to discuss their ongoing lawsuit. They have been at odds since she accused of him of drugging, sexually abusing and emotionally tormenting her.
Other performances were not as strong: Justin Bieber sang his hits Company and Sorry with the help of a backing track as bright laser lights beamed throughout the performance. He walked from side to side, performing a few dance moves but didnt match the energy of his backup dancers. Britney Spears clearly lip syncing kicked off the show in a shimmery red number with a performance that featured several of her hits, from Im a Slave 4 U and Toxic.
Demi Lovatos performance of Cool for the Summer was among the nights best. She made a statement by wearing a shirt featuring an inclusive bathroom symbol, taking a stance against North Carolinas recent law addressing LGBT rights and bathroom use by transgender people. Lovato, who is on tour with Nick Jonas, recently canceled shows in North Carolina in protest of the states law.
Pink also impressed with her performance featuring her signature high-flying moves while she sang her new song, Just Like Fire. Ariana Grande and Rihanna who won the fan-voted Billboard chart achievement award were also highlights with strong vocals.
Bieber was a double winner, including a win for top male artist, beating The Weeknd, Drake, Ed Sheeran and Fetty Wap.
Im not really a talker, but Ill say thank you to my family. I want to thank G*d. I want to thank everyone that believed in me and believes in me, Bieber said.
Adeles best-seller 25 bested albums from Taylor Swift, Bieber, the Weeknd and Sheeran for top Billboard 200 album. At the show, she premiered her music video for the single, Send My Love (To Your New Lover).
Gospel artist Kirk Franklin, rapper Wiz Khalifa, pop singer Charlie Puth and the bands twenty one pilots, Walk the Moon and Hillsong UNITED also won multiple awards. In a surprise win, Meek Mills Dreams Worth More Than Money won top rap album, beating Kendrick Lamars To Pimp a Butterfly, Dr. Dres Compton, Drakes If Youre Reading This Its Too Late and Drake and Futures collaborative album, What a Time to Be Alive.
Ciara and Ludacris hosted the show. In the opening monologue, the rapper poked at this years Academy Awards, which featured all-white acting nominees.
Unlike the Oscars, we actually have black nominees, Ludacris said to laughs.
Source: http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/billboard-music-awards-2016-bieber-wins-top-male-artist-performs-1.11827680
