Many musicians, including Madonna and Stevie Wonder, remembered Prince during the 2016 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, while Adele triumphed as Top Artist.
Madonna, dressed in purple, kicked off an emotional tribute to Prince, who died April 21, with a version of "Nothing Compares 2 U," and then invited Stevie Wonder on stage to sing "Purple Rain,"
The Associated Press reported.
R&B singer The Weeknd won eight awards, and dedicated one to Prince.
"I love him so much. I didn't know him, but he was so close to me. He will always be an inspiration," he told the audience.
"All of us live in the land of music and his departure was an earthquake," Roots drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson also said of Prince.
Adele, who was on tour and absent from the show, won six awards, including Top Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album for "25," and Top Selling Song for "Hello."
Billboard called Celine Dion's emotional performance of Queen’s “The Show Must Go On” the best moment of the show, saying her "world-conquering vocals did it justice (and then some)." The song was a tribute to Dion's late husband René Angélil, who died in January. Her son, René-Charles, also surprised her during the broadcast by presenting her with the Icon Award.
Kesha's performance of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me, Babe" was also noted among the night's best moments.
"The whole room was on its feet cheering for the singer,"
People magazine reported, noting that the audience didn't stop cheering until she left.
A list of this year's winners is gathered below.
Top Artist: Adele
Top New Artist: Fetty Wap
Top Male Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Female Artist: Adele
Top Duo/Group: One Direction
Billboard Chart Achievement Award: Rihanna
Top Billboard 200 Artist: Adele
Top Hot 100 Artist: The Weeknd
Top Song Sales Artist: The Weeknd
Top Radio Songs Artist: The Weeknd
Top Streaming Songs Artist: The Weeknd
Top Social Media Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Touring Artist: Taylor Swift
Top R&B Artist: The Weeknd
Top Rap Artist: Drake
Top Country Artist: Luke Bryan
Top Rock Artist: twenty one pilots
Top Latin Artist: Romeo Santos
Top Dance/Electronic Artist: David Guetta
Top Christian Artist: Hillsong United
Top Gospel Artist: Kirk Franklin
Top Billboard 200 Album: Adele, "25"
Top Soundtrack: Pitch Perfect 2
Top R&B Album: The Weeknd, "Beauty Behind The Madness"
Top Rap Album: Meek Mill, "Dreams Worth More Than Money"
Top Country Album: Chris Stapleton, "Traveller"
Top Rock Album: twenty one pilots, "Blurryface"
Top Latin Album: Juan Gabriel, "Los Duo"
Top Dance/Electronic Album: Zedd, "True Colors"
Top Christian Album: Lauren Daigle, "How Can It Be"
Top Gospel Album: Kirk Franklin, "Losing My Religion"
Top Hot 100 Song: Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, "See You Again"
Top Selling Song: Adele, "Hello"
Top Radio Song: Adele "Hello" Walk the Moon, "Shut Up And Dance"
Top Streaming Song (Audio): The Weeknd, "The Hills"
Top Streaming Song (Video): Silento, "Watch Me"
Top R&B Song: The Weeknd, "The Hills"
Top Rap Song: Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, "See You Again"
Top Country Song: Thomas Rhett, "Die A Happy Man"
Top Rock Song: Walk the Moon, "Shut Up And Dance"
Top Latin Song: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, "El Perdon"
Top Dance/Electronic Song: Major Lazer & DJ Snake Featuring MØ, "Lean On"
Top Christian Song: Hillsong UNITED, "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"
Top Gospel Song: Kirk Franklin, "Wanna Be Happy?"
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