The 2016 Billboard Music Awards just aired earlier tonight live from the T-Mobile Arena!

Hosted by Ludacris and Ciara, the night was filled with electrifying performances from ICON Award winner Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Shawn Mendes, Fifth Harmony, and more! Of course, The Weeknd was the big winner of the night, winning the most awards including Top Hot 100 Artist and Top R&B Song. Adele won her share too, including Top Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album, accepting her awards from overseas on tour (she also premiered her new music video for "Send My Love (To Your New Lover)" exclusively during the show)!

Check out the full list of winners below and see if your fave snagged a BBMA!



Top Artist:

Adele -- WINNER
Justin Bieber
Drake
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd

Billboard Chart Achievement Award (Fan-Voted):
Rihanna -- WINNER
Adele
Drake
The Weeknd
Little Big Town

Top R&B Song:
Alessia Cara “Here”
​Omarion Featuring Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko, “Post To Be”
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”
The Weeknd, “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)”
The Weeknd, “The Hills” -- WINNER

Top Billboard 200 Album:
Adele, 25 -- WINNER
Justin Bieber, Purpose
Ed Sheeran, x
Taylor Swift, 1989
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind The Madness

Top Male Artist:
Justin Bieber -- WINNER
Drake
Fetty Wap
Ed Sheeran
The Weeknd

Top Country Song:
Sam Hunt, “Break Up In A Small Town”
Sam Hunt, “Take Your Time”
Little Big Town, “Girl Crush”
Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man” -- WINNER
Chris Young, “I’m Comin’ Over”

Top Hot 100 Song:
Adele, “Hello”
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again” -- WINNER
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”

Top Hot 100 Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd -- WINNER

Top New Artist:
Fetty Wap -- WINNER
OMI
Charlie Puth
​Silentó
Bryson Tiller

Top Female Artist:
Adele -- WINNER
Selena Gomez
​Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Taylor Swift

Top Duo/Group:
Maroon 5
One Direction -- WINNER
twenty one pilots
The Rolling Stones
U2

Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Adele -- WINNER
Justin Bieber
Drake
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd

Top Song Sales Artist:
Adele
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
The Weeknd -- WINNER

Top Radio Songs Artist:
Justin Bieber
Ellie Goulding
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd -- WINNER

Top Streaming Songs Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
​Silentó
The Weeknd -- WINNER

Top Social Media Artist:
Justin Bieber -- WINNER
Selena Gomez
​Ariana Grande
Demi Lovato
Taylor Swift

Top Touring Artist:
Madonna
One Direction
The Rolling Stones
Taylor Swift -- WINNER
U2

Top R&B Artist:
Chris Brown
​Jeremih
Rihanna
Bryson Tiller
The Weeknd -- WINNER

Top Rap Artist:
Drake -- WINNER
Fetty Wap
Future
Wiz Khalifa
Silentó

Top Country Artist:
Zac Brown Band
Luke Bryan -- WINNER
Sam Hunt
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood

Top Rock Artist:
Fall Out Boy
Elle King
twenty one pilots -- WINNER
Walk the Moon
X Ambassadors

Top Latin Artist:
Banda Sinaloense MS De Sergio Lizárraga
Juan Gabriel
Nicky Jam
Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho
Romeo Santos -- WINNER

Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
The Chainsmokers
DJ Snake
David Guetta -- WINNER
Major Lazer
​Zedd

Top Christian Artist:
Casting Crowns
Lauren Daigle
​Hillsong United -- WINNER
MercyMe
Chris Tomlin

Top Gospel Artist:
Anthony Brown and group therAPy
Tasha Cobbs
Kirk Franklin -- WINNER
Travis Greene
Marvin Sapp

Top Soundtrack:
Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1
Fifty Shades of Grey
Furious 7
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1
Pitch Perfect 2 -- WINNER

Top R&B Album:
Chris Brown, Royalty
Rihanna, Anti
Bryson Tiller, T R A P S O U L
​Tyrese, Black Rose
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness -- WINNER

Top Rap Album:
Drake, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Drake & Future, What A Time To Be Alive
Dr. Dre, Compton
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp A Butterfly
Meek Mill, Dreams Worth More Than Money -- WINNER

Top Country Album:
Chris Stapleton, Traveller -- WINNER
Luke Bryan, Kill The Lights
Sam Hunt, Montevallo
Zac Brown Band, Jekyll + Hyde
Carrie Underwood, Storyteller

Top Rock Album:
Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color
David Bowie, Blackstar
Coldplay, A Head Full Of Dreams
Mumford & Sons, Wilder Mind
twenty one pilots, Blurryface -- WINNER

Top Latin Album:
Juan Gabriel, Los Dúo -- WINNER
Juan Gabriel, Mis Número 1…40 Aniversario
​Mana, Cama Incendiada
Gerardo Ortiz, Hoy Más Fuerte
Romeo Santos, Formula, Vol. 2

Top Dance/Electronic Album:
David Guetta, Listen
Major Lazer, Peace Is The Mission
​ODESZA, In Return
​Skrillex & Diplo, Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü
​Zedd, True Colors -- WINNER

Top Christian Album:
Lauren Daigle, How Can It Be -- WINNER
​Hillsong UNITED, Empires
Joey + Rory, Hymns That Are Important To Us
​TobyMac, This Is Not A Test
Chris Tomlin, Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship

Top Gospel Album:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy, Everyday Jesus
Tasha Cobbs, One Place Live
Kirk Franklin, Losing My Religion -- WINNER
Jonathan McReynolds, Life Music: Stage Two
Marvin Sapp, You Shall Live

Top Selling Song:
Adele, “Hello” -- WINNER
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
OMI, “Cheerleader”
Rachel Platten, “Fight Song”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”

Top Radio Song:
Adele “Hello”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk!”
Walk the Moon, “Shut Up and Dance” -- WINNER
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”

Top Streaming Song (Audio):
Justin Bieber, “Sorry”
Justin Bieber, “What Do You Mean”
​Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
The Weeknd, “The Hills” -- WINNER
Drake, “Hotline Bling”

Top Streaming Song (Video):
​Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk!”
​Silentó, “Watch Me” -- WINNER
The Weeknd, “The Hills”

Top Rap Song:
Drake, “Hotline Bling”
​Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
​Fetty Wap, “679” feat. Remy Boyz
​Silentó, “Watch Me”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again” -- WINNER

Top Rock Song:
Fall Out Boy, “Uma Thurman”
Elle King, “Ex’s & Oh’s”
twenty one pilots, “Stressed Out”
Walk the Moon, “Shut Up And Dance” -- WINNER
X Ambassadors, “Renegades”

Top Latin Song:
J Balvin “Ginza”
Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho, “Te Metiste”
Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdon” -- WINNER
​Maluma, “Borro Cassette”
Romeo Santos, “Propuesta Indecente”

Top Dance/Electronic Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring ROZES, “Roses”
DJ Snake & AlunaGeorge, “You Know You Like It”
David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack, “Hey Mama”
Major Lazer & DJ Snake Featuring MØ, “Lean On” -- WINNER
Skrillex & Diplo, “Where Are Ü Now” with Justin Bieber

Top Christian Song:
​Hillsong UNITED, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” -- WINNER
​Hillsong UNITED, “Touch the Sky”
MercyMe, “Flawless”
NEEDTOBREATHE Featuring Gavin DeGraw, “Brother”
Chris Tomlin, “Good Good Father”

Top Gospel Song:
Anthony Brown and group therAPy, “Worth”
Erica Campbell feat. Big Shizz, “I Luh God”
Kirk Franklin, “Wanna Be Happy?” -- WINNER
Travis Greene, “Intentional”
Brian Courtney Wilson, “Worth Fighting For”

8:13:00 PM

From her latest album, Jackie, Ciara has released her new video for "Dance Like We're Making Love". 

This video shows another side of Ciara that she never fails to hide. She never fails to surprise us with her choreography and her sexy demeanor.

Check out the video below!

Image via Pulp Magazine

10:39:00 AM

Last night was the biggest night of the year for BET—the star-studded BET Awards 2013! Of course, I’ve been reviewing this show since I started The Spotlight, so, for the fifth time, here we go!

The pre-show, hosted by Angela Simmons and Bow Wow (they really did fire those other 106 & Park hosts, huh?), was simply the pre-show. Nothing bad. Nothing great either. You watch to see if your favorite artists will be interviewed or if you’ll see them on the red carpet. We saw stars like Mindless Behavior, J. Cole, Big Sean, Charlie Wilson, and power couples like Robin Thicke and Paula Patton, as well Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade. Tamar Braxton even took the first award for the night--the Centric Award for "Love and War!" And her post-baby body looks great! Congrats to her! The performances were nothing spectacular to me, mostly because I don’t listen to or know anybody who performed really. After a while, it all starts to sound the same, so I just waited for the show to begin.

Check out more about the BET Awards below!

Chris Brown opened up the show with the electric "Fine China," the smooth Aaliyah-assisted "Don't Think They Know," and "Love More" with Nicki Minaj. I could see that he’s been working on his vocals a little bit! It wasn’t the best opening, but it definitely got the show off to a good start! Chris Tucker, the host of the night, came out grooving with Ray Chew and the Ray Chew Orchestra. Of course, he cracked his jokes on everyone. Well everyone that he could, because half of everyone weren’t in the seats yet! Ehh, what can you do?

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist went to Miguel for his hot track "Adorn" and album Kaleidoscope Dream. I would have loved to see Justin Timberlake take it, but Miguel definitely has busted his butt this year, putting out great music, so good for him. Afterwards Robin Thicke rocked the stage, performing “Blurred Lines,” with Pharrell, and looking absolutely gorgeous!

Kendrick Lamar took the Best New Artist Award, only he didn’t physically accept it because he was back stage about to perform. Now, I’m not sure what was going on, but between commercials and another award acceptance, he definitely could’ve came out to snag his award real quick! After Gabrielle Douglas accepted her Young Stars Awardfor her amazing wins with the U.S. Olympic gymnastic team, Kendrick hit the stage, giving the crowd one of the best performances of the night! He rapped “m.A.A.D. City,” and then went into “Don’t Kill My Vibe,” with the legendary Erykah Badu. It was an AMAZING, soulful rendition, one that I said Kendrick needs to record and put on iTunes ASAP! And anybody who thought it was boring or unnecessary is crazy!

Later, Chris Tucker came out with his own little performance of Michael Jackson’s "Human Nature." Though I knew that he was probably going to talk about Michael since they were so close, it was a little weird because “Human Nature” is one of my favorite MJ songs, so it was just…weird. But I appreciate him sharing his memories.

Throughout the night, we saw performances from BET’s Music Matters artists, which stars like J.Coleand Melanie Fiona have been a part of. Singers Austin Brown and Curtis Fields (who showed the power of technology playing guitar on his iPhone!) took the stage. The only thing I hate about when the Music Matters artists perform, is that BET ALWAYS cuts them off! Let them have their moment to shine, so that people can see who they are and what they have to offer!  

Later, a choir accompanied R. Kelly, singing a mix of some of his greatest hits and collaborations (a tad bit awkward with “Bump & Grind!). R. Kelly hit the stage singing a medley of  classics like "I Wish," "When A Woman's Fed Up,"  and "Ignition Remix.” Definitely wasn’t expect that, but it was cool. Moments later, La La Anthony and Meagan Good presented the award for Best Gospel to Mary Mary! The Subway Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year went to Lebron James and Gabrielle Douglas, as well.

Mariah Carey then hit the stage, singing her song “Beautiful” with Young Jeezy and Miguel. Miss Mariah was DEFINITELY lip syncing with all of her extra hand motions that we’ve come to know and expect, but she looked AMAZING doing it! The song went straight into Jeezy’s "RIP," which was a very awkward transition, but Jeezy still did a good job with it.

The cast of The Real Husbands of Hollywoodlater turnt up and presented Jamie Foxxwith the Best Actor award for his work in Django Unchained. Columbus Short took the time to promote Diane Latiker who has made an impact on her community of South Chicago with her Kids Off The Block foundation, as well as youth Joshua Williams who came up with Joshua's Foundation that feed and help thousands across this country. I always love these segments, because these are just regular people making an impact. It

goes to show you that you don’t have to be famous or rich to change people’s lives!

The cast of Best Man Holidaypresented the Best Female Hip Hop Artist to....who else...Nicki Minaj. It’s come to be expected. Though I don’t take anything away from the work that she’s done, I want a viable female hip hop artist to come out that will give her a run for her money! We also got an exclusive clip of Best Man Holiday, which actually looks like it will be good! I wasn’t sure about a sequel coming out almost 15 years later, but I can’t knock these black actors and actresses getting their money!

Later, Miguel performed "How Many Drinks" with Kendrick Lamar, keeping the audience on their feet as they wondered if he would attempt another disastrous jump. But he kept both feet on the ground, thank God! Taraji P. Henson and Quvenzhané Wallis  presented Kendrick Lamar with the Best Male Hip Hop Award, able to say his speech from before. He accepted so humbly and thanked GOD for all of his achievements thus far. I respect him as an artist for sure!

Presented by Justin Timberlake, Charlie Wilson was given the Lifetime Achievement Awardfor his career the Gap Band as well as his own solo career. The video featured clips from Monica, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, and Steve Harvey. India Arie then sang "There Goes My Baby," and Jamie Foxx sang the Gap Band "Yearning For Your Love." He definitely messed up a good bit, but I still got love for him! Stevie Wonder came out with "Burn Rubber On Me" and killed! Of course, Charlie got up and sang "You Are,” as well "Beautiful" with Snoop. Justin even got on the mike with "Signs "and "You Dropped A Bomb on Me,” along with Pharrell. The performance ended with the whole crew and everybody in the audience jamming to "Outstanding." Congrats to Uncle Charlie for his well-deserved award! All of these years in the game, and he is still relevant! Amazing talent! Hands down, the best performance of the night!

Later, J Cole took the stage perfoming "Crooked Smile" and "Power Trip" with Miguel, before Miss Tamela Mann took us to church with "Take Me To The King." Afterwards, Ciara performed “I’m Out” with Nicki Minaj (the video premiered earlier that night), and “Body Party” which has officially grown on me! She got a little crazy with the vocals at the end, but she did a really good job! Ciara is definitely making a big comeback this year!

Best Collaboration went to A$AP Rocky for his hit "Problems" with Drake, Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz. Miss Debra Lee then presented the Humanitarian Award to Dwyane Wade for his work under his foundation Wade’s World. He thanked his family and (his words) “Miss Being Mary Jane herself, my beautiful black queen, Gabrielle Union.” It was so precious!

The show then took it to the Islands with a dancehall mix featuring Chaka Demurs and Pliers, Dawn Penn, Elephant Man, and all the rest of them folks on stage! It was a hot performance, and completely unexpected! Anything can happen, BET kept boasting. Later, Chris Brown took the Fandemonium Award for the fourth year in a row. Good for Team Breezy, but still shoutout to the Beyhive! Buzzzzz!!!

2 Chainz later hit the stage with his song "Feds Watching,” which went into "Problems" with A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar (Drake didn’t make it this year.) Drake later won the Coca Cola’s Viewer’s Choice Award for “Started at the Bottom,” which was presented by a little too eager fan! I don’t blame her for being excited, though.

The cast of The Game presented the last award for Best Movie to Think Like A Man, which was a little surprising with the success of Django Unchained. However, it did give the cast an opportunity to plug the sequel, so I can’t be mad at that. Janelle Monae closed the show with her song “Q.U.E.E.N” with Erykah Badu. Some might have called it a boring ending to the show, but I actually really liked it! Janelle brings a great energy, and definitely closed the show on a high note!

Overall, the show was pretty good! The performances were, for the most part, really awesome and entertaining. I definitely enjoyed watching and live tweeting with you al too!  One day, I’ll be there live with my media credentials and can REALLY report the business! Until next year!

What did you think of  the BET Awards 2013?

Images via BET and UPI/Jim Ruymen

7:44:00 AM

What's up people? I know I've been gone for a bit. Forgive me. It's around finals time for me, so I've been struggling to balance Spotlight and school. But I'm back.

I'm not the hugest Ciara fan, but I have to admit that when it comes to dancing, she is the best. Vocals can be....interesting at times LOL but with dancing, she got every female in this game (yes even my girl Beyoncé). Here she is with her new video "Ride" featuring Ludacris just released this morning. Shout out to CarlJ for putting me on it.


"Ride"-Ciara Feat. Ludacris


PEACE.

~Brittany Shawnté

10:15:00 AM