The 2024 Billboard Music Awards were held on December 12, bringing together some of the biggest stars of the music industry for a night filled with recognition and celebration. Hosted by actress and comedian Michelle Buteau, the event showcased stunning performances and announced winners across 72 categories, highlighting a year of music contributions and artistic achievements.
This year, the nominations were led by country artist Zach Bryan, who earned 18 nominations, followed closely by pop sensation Taylor Swift with 16, Morgan Wallen with 15, and Sabrina Carpenter with 9. The awards featured three new categories: Top Hard Rock Artist, Top Hard Rock Album, and Top Hard Rock Song, broadening the horizons of what was already a diverse selection of music genres recognized by the Billboard Music Awards.
Taylor Swift made history at the event, continuing her reign as one of the most awarded artists, taking home 10 BBM Awards. These included prestigious titles like Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, and Top Hot 100 Artist. Swift praised her fans, saying, "It means the world to me... You've embraced my music so much. This is the nicest early birthday present I could’ve asked for!" With this latest haul, she now holds 49 trophies, surpassing her previous record and officially becoming the most awarded artist overall at the Billboard Music Awards.
Meanwhile, Zach Bryan won five awards, including Top Billboard 200 Artist and Top Country Artist, reflecting his growing influence and popularity, especially within the country music genre. Morgan Wallen, another significant winner, secured four awards, including Top Male Artist and Top Country Male Artist, solidifying his position as one of the leading voices in mainstream country music today.
A standout moment of the night was when Chappell Roan, who is both new to the scene and making waves, won Top New Artist. Her acceptance speech was heartfelt, detailing her long road to recognition and gratitude for her supporters, emphasizing how rewarding it felt to have her hard work recognized.
Beyond the competitive awards, performances by artists like Coldplay, Stray Kids, Jelly Roll, and Teddy Swims left the audience buzzing. Each artist brought their unique sound and flair to the stage, embodying the diverse musical landscapes represented at the awards. Coldplay, celebrated for their energetic performances, and Jelly Roll, who is making significant strides with his blend of country and rap, dynamically demonstrated the inclusive nature of today's music scene.
The surprise winner of the night was Shaboozey, who took home several awards for his chart-topping hit "A Bar Song (Tipsy)." Shaboozey expressed his appreciation saying, "It’s cool being recognized, but I’m making music for people who are usually underrepresented. That’s my focus." His words underscored the importance of visibility and representation within the music industry, especially for artists of diverse backgrounds.
Some of the other major award categories and their winners included:
- Top Artist: Taylor Swift
- Top New Artist: Chappell Roan
- Top Male Artist: Morgan Wallen
- Top Female Artist: Taylor Swift
- Top Duo/Group: Fuerza Regida
- Top Billboard 200 Artist: Taylor Swift
- Top Hot 100 Song: "Lose Control" by Teddy Swims
- Top Streaming Songs Artist: Taylor Swift
- Top R&B Artist: SZA
- Top Latin Artist: Bad Bunny
- Top K-Pop Artist: Stray Kids
The evening concluded with reflections on the music industry's growth, diversity, and community. From newcomers to established icons, the 2024 Billboard Music Awards once again affirmed the importance of creativity and artistic expression within the music industry. With meaningful contributions from artists across all genres, it is evident the music community is united, vibrant, and continuously pushing for representation and innovation.
Looking forward, as artists celebrate their successes from the past year, the runway to the next Billboard Music Awards is wide open, inviting even more talent and stories to be uplifted. The future appears bright, with music at the heart of our shared experiences, connecting us all through powerful melodies and lyrics. Stay tuned, because with every year, the best is yet to come.