Billboard music awards predictions
May 11, 2017
The Billboard Music Awards is an award show based off of musicians’ popularity and sales charts. The first Billboard Music Awards show was in 1990. The awards are presented every May. Each year there are 50 different awards that cover all genres of music. Billboard wrote “Billboard Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital songs sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the reporting period of March 18, 2016 through March 16, 2017.”
Top Artist:
Adele
Beyoncé
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd

Predicted Winner: Adele
After her four year break, Adele finally came back with her record breaking album, “25.” Her song, “Hello,” is currently the most viewed music video on youtube and her album sold over a million copies in a week. Adele was also the winner for the 2016 “Top Artist.”
Top New Artist:
Alessia Cara
Desiigner
Lil Uzi Vert
Lukas Graham

Zayn
Predicted Winner: Zayn
After leaving his band, One Direction, Zayn’s first solo album, “Mind of Mine,” topped the Billboard charts, unlike the other nominees. His song, “PILLOWTALK” reached the top of Billboard’s charts and is the most successful song out of his debut album.
Top Male Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Future
Shawn Mendes
The Weeknd

Predicted Winner: Justin Bieber
After a few years out of the studio, Justin Bieber returned with “Purpose”. Four of Bieber’s songs, “What Do You Mean?,” “Sorry,” “Love Yourself,” and “Where Are Ü Now,” have been played on the radio constantly since the album’s release. This is Bieber’s sixth number one album since his debut. Bieber also took the prize as “Top Male Artist” in 2016.
Top Female Artist:
Adele
Beyoncé
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Sia

Predicted Winner: Adele
Adele, who is predicted to be the top overall artist, will most likely take home the prize for “Top Female Artist” as well due to her sales on her record, “25.” Adele’s sales won her the title of “Top Female Artist” in 2016.
Top Duo/Group:
The Chainsmokers
Coldplay
Florida Georgia Line
Guns N’ Roses
Twenty One Pilots
Predicted Winner: The Chainsmokers

The Chainsmokers became infamous in 2014 for their song #SELFIE. The duo changed drastically from having their song being called “garbage” into a duo that created hit songs all year. They collaborated with big name artists, including Halsey, Daya, and Coldplay, and made chart topping songs, like “Closer,” “Don’t Let Me Down,” and “Roses”. Twenty One Pilots may have a chance to take the title from The Chainsmokers, but unlike Twenty One Pilots, The Chainsmokers were able to reach #1 on Billboard.
Top Radio Songs Artist:
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
Predicted Winner: The Chainsmokers

The Chainsmokers will most likely take home the award for “Top Radio Songs Artist,” too. Their songs, “Don’t Let Me Down,” “Closer,” “Roses,” “Paris,” and “Something Just Like This,” all were able to peak at or above number 6 on the Billboard charts.
Top R&B Artist:
Beyoncé
Bruno Mars
Frank Ocean
Rihanna
The Weeknd

Predicted Winner: Beyoncé
Beyonce, who’s last album was released in 2008, came in strong with her new album, “Lemonade,” which was the highest selling album in 2016. The only thing that may end up hurting Beyonce from winning this award is the lack of radio play the album has received, unlike Bruno Mars.
Top Country Artist:
Florida Georgia Line
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban

Chris Stapleton
Jason Al
dean
Predicted Winner: Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton has been topping the country charts since he began his career as a coach on “The Voice.” His albums and songs are not only the most played on country radio, but Shelton also has the most sold albums this year. Shelton’s song “If I’m Honest” is ranked third on the Billboard 200, behind Drake and Ariana Grande.
Top Rock Artist:
Coldplay
The Lumineers
Metallica
Twenty One Pilots
X Ambassadors
Predicted Winner: Twenty One Pilots

Twenty One Pilots debuted their album, “Blurryface,” and they have sold over one million copies since the release. Twenty One Pilots were able to reach number three on the charts, higher than their other competitors.
Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Calvin Harris
Major Lazer
DJ Snake

Lindsey Stirling
Predicted Winner: The Chainsmokers
The Chainsmokers will most likely take home this award, too based on their overall sales since 2016.
Top R&B Album:
Beyoncé, “Lemonade”
Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”
Frank Ocean, “Blonde”
Rihanna, “Anti”

The Weeknd, “Starboy”
Predicted Winner: Beyoncé
Although Bruno Mars’s “24K Magic” is the most played on the radio, Beyonce’s “Lemonade” is the most bought album of last year.
Top Rap Album:
Cole, 4 Your Eyez Only
Drake, Views
Kevin Gates, Isla
DJ Khaled, Major Key
A Tribe Called Quest, We Got It From Here…Thank You For Your Service
Predicted Winner: Drake

Drake released his eleventh album, “Views,” in 2016. The album was charted at number one for a total of thirteen weeks, more than any other nominated album. Billboard stated “ ‘Views’ has the longest run at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 since the Frozen soundtrack [which] also spent 13 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 in 2014 (Jan. 18-May 17).”
Top Rock Album:
The Lumineers, “Cleopatra”
Metallica, “Hardwired…To Self Destruct”
Radiohead, “A Moon Shaped Pool”
Red Hot Chili Peppers, “The Getaway”

Twenty One Pilots, “Blurryface”
Predicted Winner: Twenty One Pilots
Unlike the other nominees, “Blurryface” by Twenty One Pilots, has gone triple platinum in the United States, making it the most sold out of the other albums.
Top Dance/Electronic Album:
The Chainsmokers, “Bouquet”
The Chainsmokers, “Collage”
Flume, “Skin”
Kygo, “Cloud Nine”
Lindsey Stirling, “Brave Enough”
Predicted Winner: The Chainsmokers, “Collage”

With two albums nominated, The Chainsmokers will most likely win the award for “Top Dance/Electronic Album.” Their album, “Collage” will likely defeat “Bouquet” due to the album containing “Closer” and “Don’t Let Me Down,” their two most popular songs.
Top Hot 100 Song & Top Selling Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla, “One Dance”
Justin Timberlake, “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”

Twenty One Pilots, “Heathens”
Predicted Winner: The Chainsmokers & Halsey
The “Top Hot 100 Song” and “Top Selling Song” contain the same list of nominees. “Closer” will most likely win both of these awards, once again. The song broke records by charting for over six months in the Top 10 and twelve weeks as number one.
Top Collaboration:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, “Closer”*
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla, “One Dance”

Sia Featuring Sean Paul, “Cheap Thrills”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk, “Starboy”
Predicted Winner: The Chainsmokers & Halsey
*Read every other category “Closer” is in.
Top R&B Song:
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla, “One Dance”
Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”
Rihanna, “Needed Me”
Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk, “Starboy”
Predicted Winner: Drake, WizKid, & Kyla

Drake’s song, “One Dance,” was able to top the charts for over ten weeks. The song is the first song to be viewed over one billion times on Spotify. “One Dance” is also Drake’s “longest-leading” song and surpassed the other R&B songs nominated on the charts.
Top Rap Song:
Desiigner, “Panda”
Drake, “Fake Love”
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty, “Broccoli”
Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert, “Bad And Boujee”
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane, “Black Beatles”

Predicted Winner: Rae Sremmurd and Gucci Mane
Rae Sremmurd and Gucci Mane’s “Black Beatles” will most like take this award. The song grew popularity when it became the theme for the “Mannequin Challenge.” The song also lead the digital sales chart for the most downloads.
Top Country Song:
Kenny Chesney Featuring Pink, “Setting The World On Fire”
Florida Georgia Line, “H.O.L.Y.”
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw, “May We All”

Little Big Town, “Better Man”
Keith Urban, “Blue Ain’t Your Color”
Predicted Winner: Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line’s “H.O.L.Y.” ended 2016 as the number one country song in Billboard. The song topped country charts and country radio stations in the past year and has a good chance at becoming the top country song.
Top Rock Song:
Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa & Imagine Dragons with Logic & Ty Dolla $ign Featuring X Ambassadors, “Sucker For Pain”
Twenty One Pilots, “Heathens”
Twenty One Pilots, “Ride”
Twenty One Pilots, “Stressed Out”
X Ambassadors, “Unsteady”
Predicted Winner: Twenty One Pilots, “Stressed Out”

With their record, “Blurryface,” Twenty One Pilots will most likely take home the best rock song. Their songs “Heathens” and “Stressed Out” both peaked at number two on Billboard, their highest ranked songs. Due to the success of “Stressed Out”’s music video and earlier recognition, it will most likely win the category for Twenty One Pilots.
Top Dance/Electronic Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, “Closer”*
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down”
Calvin Harris Featuring Rihanna, “This Is What You Came For”
Major Lazer Featuring Justin Bieber & MO, “Cold Water”

DJ Snake Featuring Justin Bieber, “Let Me Love You”
Predicted Winner: The Chainsmokers and Halsey
*Same as Top Collaboration
The 2017 Billboard Music Awards take place on Sunday, May 21, at 8:00pm-10:59pm. Tune in to see who wins and watch guest performances, including Bruno Mars, Camila Cabello, Celine Dion, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Florida Georgia Line, Imagine Dragons, John Legend, Lorde, Nicki Minaj, and more!