The Latest on the 2017 Billboard Music Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (all times local):
5:09 p.m.
Nicki Minaj opened the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with an explosive nine-minute set of her top songs – including “No Frauds” a response to a diss track from Remy Ma.
At various points, she was joined by Lil Wayne, DJ David Guetta and Jason Derulo.
Vanessa Hudgens, hosting the show on ABC with Ludacris, imitated Minaj’s rap onstage and earned applause from the crowd. Hudgens also sang some of Celine Dion’s “I’m Your Lady” (Dion will perform later in the show).
Drake and Beyonce were among the early winners. Drake had earned 10 awards in early winners announced Sunday morning and picked up an 11th for top male artist in the first minutes of the show. Beyonce earned five in the early winners.
Drake and the Chainsmokers are top contenders with 22 nominations each.
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6:35 a.m.
Drake will walk into the 2017 Billboard Music Awards already a winner: He earned 10 early awards.
The rapper and the electronic dance duo the Chainsmokers were top contenders with 22 nominations each.
The early winners announced Sunday morning by dick clark productions included Beyonce, who won five and twenty one pilots, who won four. The Chainsmokers picked up three honors in the early announcement.
The Billboard Awards will be held Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where more awards will be announced.
Cher, Miley Cyrus, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Drake and the Chainsmokers will perform at the show airing live on ABC. Imagine Dragons will speak about Chris Cornell’s influence on the band ahead of their performance.
Ludacris and Vanessa Hudgens will host the show.