Gabby Barrett and Morgan Wallen Win Big at Billboard Music Awards
The 2021 Billboard Music Awards took place last night, Sunday, May 23rd, in Los Angeles, and artists of all genres performed and were recognized for their charting success this past year.
Several country artists shined, including Gabby Barrett and Morgan Wallen who walked away with three awards each. Barrett was not only the most nominated country artist, but she led all female nominees with nine total, including one for Top New Artist, which she lost to the late, Pop Smoke. Wallen racked up six nominations in five different categories.
The Billboard Music Awards finalists are based on album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring, and social engagement from March 31, 2020, to April 3, 2021. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data and Next Big Sound. Nick Jonas hosted the three-hour event which featured performances with live audiences.
Only a handful of Nashville artists appeared on stage last night, and only one country award was announced during the show; Gabby Barrett was awarded Top Country Female Artist over Maren Morris and Carrie Underwood. In addition, Barrett’s smash-hit “I Hope” was awarded Top Country Song and Top Collaboration (the pop-remix with Charlie Puth), which beat out the seven-week, number-one hit “Rockstar” by DaBaby and Roddy Ricch.
Despite not being allowed at the show due to the racial slur controversy, Morgan Wallen was awarded Top Country Male Artist, Top Country Artist, and Top Country Album for Dangerous: The Double Album. Wallen also had two songs nominated for Top Country Song (“Chasin’ You” and “More Than My Hometown”) and was nominated for Top Song Sales Artist, but lost to the k-pop group, BTS.
The only other winners to come out of Nashville last night included Florida Georgia Line, who took home Top Country Duo/Group, and Carrie Underwood, whose album My Gift was awarded Top Christian Album. Kelsea Ballerini was in attendance as well — she introduced her 2021 tour mates, The Jonas Brothers before they performed a mash-up of several hits, including their new collaboration with Marshmello “Leave Me Before You Love Me.”
Although, unfortunately, there were no country performances within the broadcast, the live audience at the show gave us some feeling of normalcy. Something to look forward to as we gear up for a summer full of live country concerts!
Below are the country award categories, nominees, and winners:
Top Country Artist
Gabby Barrett
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen — WINNER
Top Country Male Artist
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen — WINNER
Top Country Female Artist
Gabby Barrett — WINNER
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood
Top Country Duo/Group
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line — WINNER
Maddie & Tae
Top Country Album
Gabby Barrett, Goldmine
Sam Hunt, Southside
Chris Stapleton, Starting Over
Carrie Underwood, My Gift
Morgan Wallen, Dangerous: The Double Album – WINNER
Top Country Song
Jason Aldean, “Got What I Got”
Gabby Barrett, “I Hope” — WINNER
Lee Brice, “One of Them Girls”
Morgan Wallen, “Chasin’ You”
Morgan Wallen, “More Than My Hometown”
Top Song Sales Artist
Justin Bieber
BTS — WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion
Morgan Wallen
The Weeknd
Top New Artist
Gabby Barrett
Doja Cat
Jack Harlow
Pop Smoke — WINNER
Rod Wave
Top Duo/Group
AC/DC
AJR
BTS — WINNER
Dan + Shay
Maroon 5
Top Christian Artist
Casting Crowns
Elevation Worship — WINNER
for KING & COUNTRY
Carrie Underwood
Zach Williams
Top Christian Album
Bethel Music, Peace
Elevation Worship, Grave Into Gardens
Carrie Underwood, My Gift — WINNER
We The Kingdom, Holy Water
Zach Williams, Rescue Story
Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar
24kGoldn ft. iann dior, “Mood”
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth, “I Hope”
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “ROCKSTAR”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights” – WINNER
Top Selling Song
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth, “I Hope”
BTS, “Dynamite” — WINNER
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé, “Savage”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”
Top Radio Song
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth, “I Hope”
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now”
Harry Styles, “Adore You”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights” — WINNER
Top Collaboration (Fan-Voted)
24kGoldn ft. iann dior, “Mood”
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth, “I Hope” — WINNER
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “ROCKSTAR”
Jack Harlow ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez, & Lil Wayne, “WHATS POPPIN”
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To see pictures, videos, and highlights from the show, follow the Billboard Music Awards on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
