On May 15th, the Billboard Music Awards host their 2022 ceremony for the fifth consecutive time since moving to NBC. The list of performers is once again a strong showing from the top pop and rock acts of the last year, and like the awards, the choices are based on performance on the Billboard charts rather than the traditional voting method of other awards shows. Here are a few of the top performers from this year.
No pop performance of the year would be complete without Ed Sheeran, who released a new album in 2021 and is up for nine awards at this year’s BMAs.
Megan Thee Stallion is one of four first-time performers at this year’s ceremony. Even without a new album, she is nominated for “Top Rap Female Artist” alongside Cardi B and Latto.
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s debut as Silk Sonic won the hearts of many R&B listeners in 2021, so seeing them perform is yet another glorious delight for the BMAs this year.
Since they are billed together, this duo will undoubtedly be performing their 2021 collaborative single “Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home),” which peaked at #1 on Billboard’s US Country Airplay chart.
Machine Gun Kelly is nominated alongside four other acts as “Top Rock Artist,” but since no other artist is performing in that category, it pretty much indicates he is at the top of the pile.
Another first-time performer for the BMAs, Burna Boy is a Nigerian dancehall singer who, despite not being nominated this year, has received numerous other awards and broke many records set by African artists.
With a killer 2022 album and a smashing Superbowl performance this year, Mary J. Blige is another great addition to the BMAs performers.
Classic R&B singer Maxwell’s billing is marked as a 'special tribute performance to a pop icon.' Whatever that means, it’ll surely be an event to remember.
The show will be streaming on NBC’s service Peacock, and other performers like Rauw Alejandro, Latto, Florence + the Machine, and Morgan Wallen will also be featured. Don’t miss a collection of some of the best pop performers of the year!