Last night in Vegas marked the 32nd annual Billboard Music Awards hosted by Sean “Diddy” Combs. With performances from amazing talents like Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, Burna Boy, and more, this ceremony was surely a night to remember (don’t forget to vote for your favorite performance here!)

Not to mention that the legendary Mary J. Blige was awarded her very own Billboard Icon Award, which was presented by the one and only Janet Jackson!

Similar to the Grammys, The BBMAs spanned across all genres. To help cut through the noise, here are your R&B and hip-hop highlights (with a touch of Gospel!)

Top Artist

• Doja Cat
• Olivia Rodrigo
• Taylor Swift
• The Weeknd
• Winner: Drake

Top Male Artist

• Ed Sheeran
• Justin Bieber
• Lil Nas X
• The Weeknd
• Winner: Drake

Top R&B Artist

• Giveon
• Silk Sonic
• Summer Walker
• The Weeknd
• Winner: Doja Cat

Top R&B Male Artist

• Giveon
• Khalid
• Winner: The Weeknd

Top R&B Female Artist

• Summer Walker
• SZA
• Winner: Doja Cat

Top R&B Tour

• Omarion & Bow Wow (The Millennium Tour 2021)
• Usher (The Vegas Residency)
• Winner: Bruno Marks (Bruno Mars at Park MGM)

Top Rap Artist

• Juice WRLD
• Lil Baby
• Moneybagg Yo
• Polo G
• Winner: Drake

Top Rap Male Artist

• Juice WRLD
• Polo G
• Winner: Drake

Top Rap Female Artist

• Cardi B
• Latto
• Winner: Megan Thee Stallion

Top Rap Tour

• J. Cole (The Off-Season Tour)
• Lil Baby (The Back Outside Tour)
• Winner: Omarion & Bow Wow (The Millennium 2021)

Top Christian Artist

• Carie Underwood
• Elevation Worship
• for KING & COUNTRY
• Lauren Daigle
• Winner: Ye

Top Gospel Artist

• CeCe Winans
• Elevation Worship
• Kirk Franklin
• Maverick City Music
• Winner: Ye

Tonight (Apr. 3) was the 64th Annual Grammy Awards! The Academy Award show was originally scheduled to air on January 31st. However, considering the uptick in the omicron covid variant, the show was postponed.

The Grammys was packed with a multitude of amazing performances including acts like Ledisi, Silk Sonic, Lil Nas X with Jack Harlow, John Legend, Jon Batiste, H.E.R. with Lenny Kravitz, Nas and more!

If you were unable to watch the Grammys or if you would just like a recap of tonight’s show, here is your highlight sheet of tonight’s Hip Hop and R&B wins!

HIP HOP

Best Rap Album

• Call Me If You Get Lost – Tyler, The Creator

Best Rap Song

• Jail — Kanye West and Jay-Z

Best Rap Performance

• Family Ties — Baby Keem ft. Kendrick Lamar

Best Melodic Rap Performance

• Hurricane — Kanye West ft. The Weeknd & Lil Baby

R&B

Best R&B Performance (tie)

• Leave The Door Open — Silk Sonic
• Pick Up Your Feelings — Jazmine Sullivan

Best Traditional R&B Performance

• Fight For You — H.E.R.

Best R&B Song

• Leave The Door Open —Silk Sonic

Best Progressive R&B Album

• Table For Two — Lucky Daye

Best R&B Album

• Heaux Tales — Jazmine Sullivan

GENERAL

Record Of The Year

• Leave The Door Open — Silk Sonic

Song Of The Year

• Leave The Door Open —Silk Sonic

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

• Kiss Me More — Doja Cat ft. SZA

Tonight was historical for artists like Jazmine Sullivan, Baby Keem, Lil Baby, Doja Cat, SZA and Jay Versace (producer of Call Me If You Get Lost) who took home their first Grammy tonight. Not to mention that singer, songwriter, musician, bandleader, and television personality Jon Batiste hails as the first Black artist to win ‘Album of the Year’ in 14 years!

How did you feel about tonight’s wins?

Beyoncé spearheaded tonight’s Oscars with a mesmerizing performance for ‘Be Alive.’ The single is an original composition from the motion picture titled ‘King Richard‘ (a film about Venus, Serena, and their father Richard Williams). 

Kicking off the performance was a troupe of young folks walking vigilantly, one of which was centered atop a black horse. Two young girls with white beads adorning their braids led the way which cemented the performance as a nod to the legendary Williams sisters. In fact, the main stage was even set on a tennis court in Compton, CA.

‘It feels so good to be alive,
Got all my sisters by my side 
Couldn’t wipe this black off if I tried 
That’s why I lift my head with pride 
Now we’re sitting on top of the world again’ 

Beyonce painted the stage with Wilson-ball yellow (aka optic yellow; see ‘What Color Is a Tennis Ball?’) including violins and sunglasses. Beyonce’s look, of course, gave the most glam with feathers and diamonds galore!

Leave it to Miss Blue Ivy to still steal the show at the end of the ensemble. It’s nothing for the young star— she’s been making cameos before birth! 

From hypnotizing harmonies to majestic dance numbers, Beyoncé once again led a ‘Black Parade.’ The performance was especially fitting for an Academy Award performance. Time and time again, Black people and other people of color are consistently snubbed from their due accolades.  

Millions of fans currently await a fresh new masterpiece from the Queen. In a statement exclusive to BAZAAR, Beyonce explains that “there’s nothing like the amount of love, passion, and healing that I feel in the recording studio. After 31 years, it feels just as exciting as it did when I was nine years old. Yes, the music is coming!”