The Billboard Music Awards today (Thurs) announced its group of 2021 nominees, led by The Weeknd with 16 nod, followed by rapper DaBaby with 11 nominations and the late Pop Smoke with 10 nods.
Gabby Barrett and Megan Thee Stallion are the two female nominees with the most nominations, nine and seven respectively.
This year’s awards show is based on chart data from March 21, 2020 through April 3, 2021 with winners based on “key fan interactions with music,” including song sales, streaming and social engagement.
Meanwhile the top social artist and top collaboration categories are fan-voted.
Some artists could make history this year. Drake, the artist with the most wins of all time with 27, could break his own record since he’s nominated in seven categories.
Taylor Swift, who’s nominated in four categories, could tie with Drake if she were to win her four awards in the top artist, female artist, Billboard 200 artist and album categories.
Meanwhile, The Weeknd or Justin Bieber could reach the No. 2 spot if they were to sweep in their categories. And, if The Weeknd wins 13 of his 16 nods, he could surpass or tie Drake’s record of 13 wins in a single night.
