IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Top moments from the 2019 Billboard Music Awards: Drake encourages artists to show love and more

Drake won multiple honors at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards and encouraged the audience of musicians to give their peers their flowers while they're still alive.
2019 Billboard Music Awards - Show
LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 01: Drake accepts Top Male Artist onstage during the 2019 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)Getty Images / Getty Images

Drake won multiple honors at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards and encouraged the audience of musicians to give their peers their flowers while they're still alive.

"We've obviously had like an unfortunate series of losses within our business, and I just want to encourage everybody to let other artists know how you feel about them," Drake said as he accepted top male artist Wednesday. "Let them know that you love them (and) respect them while we're all still here."

Drake could have been referring to a number of deaths in the music industry, from Nipsey Hussle to Aretha Franklin.

The rap star, who walked into Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena with 17 nominations, also won top Billboard 200 album, beating out Cardi B, Travis Scott, Post Malone and the late XXXTentacion.

BTS was also having a major night. At the Billboard Awards and American Music Awards, the K-pop band had only previously won "social" awards based off their fanatic fan base, but on Wednesday BTS picked up top duo/group, besting Grammy-winning groups like Maroon 5, Imagine Dragons and Dan + Shay.

"I still can't believe we're here on this stage with so many great artists," RM said as fans screamed loudly. "We're still the same boys from six years ago, we still have the same dreams ... we still have the same thoughts. Let us keep dreaming."

Imagine Dragons did pick up top rock artist, and band leader Dan Reynolds used his speech to highlight the dangers of conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth. He earned rousing applause.

The show was a family affair: Ciara's husband, NFL player Russell Wilson, and young son danced along while she worked the stage, and Nick and Joe Jonas gave kisses to Priyanka Chopra and Sophie Turner of "Game of Thrones" fame when they sang in the audience before hitting the stage.

Cardi B, the night's top nominee with 21, locked lips with husband Offset on the red carpet and the couple sat closely inside the venue. She will compete for top artists along with Drake, Scott, Malone and Ariana Grande.

Taylor Swift kicked off the show when she brought her new music video to life with a colorful, eye-popping performance of her song "ME!" She was backed by dancers wearing bright, pastel colors and her featured guest — Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco — descended from the ceiling holding an umbrella.

A marching band kicked off Swift's performance — like most of the world, maybe Swift was inspired by Beyonce's new Coachella film? Dancers also spun in the air holding umbrellas.

Swift is the most decorated winner in the history of the Billboard Awards with 23 wins. She was nominated for two awards tonight.

Pop star Mariah Carey has demonstrated her icon status at the Billboard Music Awards with a medley of her hits across the decades and showed off her five-octave range.

Covering hits like "Always Be My Baby," ''Emotions," ''We Belong Together," and "Hero," fans at the MGM Grand Arena waved their arms in the air and sang along with the global star, who accepted the ceremony's Icon Award. Dabbing her eyes with tissue, she shouted out to her children in the crowd.

 She acknowledged both her mistakes and the memes she inspired, but said the fans carried her through the highs and lows. She accepted the award from presenter Jennifer Hudson.

Madonna brought virtual versions of herself to the Billboard Music Awards as she performed with Colombian singer Maluma.

 The two singers danced together in real life to the Latin-flavored collaboration, but also with holograms of Madonna in different outfits for a performance of their song "Medellin."

The song is from Madonna's 14th album "Madame X," out June 14.

Kelly Clarkson hosted the show for a second time — and sang a medley of hits following Swift's performance, from Cardi B's "I Like It" to "Boo'd Up" by Ella Mai, who won the first award of the evening, top R&B artist. Clarkson also performed later in the show. Other performers included:

Madonna with Maluma:

BTS