The Weeknd Racks up 10 Wins at Billboard Music Awards After Exhilarating Performance

The Weeknd swept the Billboard Music Awards, leaving with 10 wins, including the highest honor of the night, Top Artist. Among his other awards of the evening were Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Male Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Male Artist, Top R&B Album, Top Radio Song, and Top R&B Song.

In addition to the many awards, The Weeknd was one of many artists to take the stage. The Weeknd, known for his intricate and attention-capturing performances, put on a unique, prerecorded display in an atypical location. According to Billboard, The Weeknd collaborated with directors Alex Lill and Charlie Morse to choreograph an off-site performance of ‘Save Your Tears’. 

The performance, which featured 20 red and white vintage cars, was set in an empty rooftop parking lot and captured a meticulously choreographed routine of the cars whizzing into an array of formations as The Weeknd sang in the leading car. 

“One of the things we were always inspired by was those old 1950s synchronized swimmers,” says Lill. “So it was kind of recontextualizing that. We weren’t trying to do a Fast & Furious type thing, it was very much about synchronicity and elegance, and it was really interesting working with all the stunt drivers who were not used to that.”

The production required stunt coordinators and a NASCAR mechanic on-site to ensure that everything flowed smoothly. After two, eight-hour days of rehearsal and a day to film, the technical team produced an entreating and jaw-dropping performance. 

The Weeknd’s creativity in performances, his album, After Hours, and the top track, “Blinding Lights,” earned him a total of sixteen nominations at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, further contributing to the successful year he has had so far. The Weeknd performed at Super Bowl LV earlier this year, incorporating a running theme of a bandaged face. The Weeknd’s artistry and originality are a driving force behind the music fans enjoy.