Award show airs Wed, Oct 14th
Dick Clark Productions and NBC have announced John Legend is joining the slate of dynamic performers at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs). The two-time BBMA winner will give a special performance of “Never Break,” from his latest album, Bigger Love. Three-time BBMA host Kelly Clarkson will open the show with an unforgettable, can’t-miss performance of Whitney Houston’s “Higher Love,” joined by two-time BBMA nominees Pentatonix and queen of percussion Sheila E. The 2020 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), will broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14th at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC.
As previously announced, the 2020 Billboard Music Awards will feature spectacular performances from Alicia Keys, Bad Bunny, Brandy feat. Ty Dolla $ign, BTS, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Doja Cat, En Vogue, Khalid, Swae Lee, Demi Lovato, Sia, Post Malone and SAINt JHN. Garth Brooks will receive the elite ICON Award, joining only eight other artists who have received the honor, and take the stage for a highly anticipated performance. Rapper and social activist, Killer Mike, member of hip-hop duo Run the Jewels, will be the recipient of the inaugural Billboard Change Maker Award.
Fan-voted categories this year include Billboard Chart Achievement Award, Top Social Artist and Top Collaboration. Voting is now open and available on TikTok, this year’s primary voting platform, reflecting its increasing impact on music and role as a staging ground for chart-topping hits.
This year’s awards are based on the chart period of March 23, 2019 through March 14, 2020, set for the originally scheduled April 29, 2020 show, which was postponed due to the pandemic. The original eligibility period will remain intact to recognize and honor the chart-topping artists and musical successes achieved and to maintain consistent tracking periods for future shows.
Nominees were recently announced which sees rapper Post Malone leads the pack with 16 Billboard Music Award nods, followed by first-time nominees Lil Nas X with 13 and Billie Eilish with 12. BBMA winner Khalid ties Eilish with 12 nominations. Other nominees and possible record breakers include first-time nominee Lizzo (11), Kanye West (9), Taylor Swift (6), and Justin Bieber (4).
Billboard Music Awards nominees and winners are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data/Nielsen Music. Since 1940, the Billboard charts have been the leading authority for ranking the popularity of artists, songs and albums, and are the ultimate measure of success in music.
The 2020 Billboard Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions. Amy Thurlow, Mark Bracco, Barry Adelman, Linda Gierahn, Kelly Clarkson and Robert Deaton are executive producers.
