Janet Jackson, Salt-N-Pepa & Khalid: The 3 Best Moments From the 2018 Billboard Music Awards
The 2018 Billboard Music Awards took place last night, and it was full of memorable moments. From Salt-N-Pepa performing a vibrant melody of their hits, with En Vogue and Ne-Yo joining them on stage, to T.I. joking about his recent arrest while presenting (for which he still hasn't received an apology), to Kendrick Lamar racking up awards (as per usual), to Janet Jackson justly being honored with Billboard's Icon Award— the ceremony was one for the books.
Here are the five best moments from last night's Billboard Music Awards.
1. Janet Jackson made everyone remember why she's one of the greatest performers of all-time. One of the defining artists our generation, Janet's fingerprints are all over music and culture, and last night showcased her imprint. She’s the first black woman to receive the prize from the BBMAs, and was presented the award by Bruno Mars, before performing a medley of hits including “Nasty,” “If” and “Throb” with a crew of backup dancers.
As for her speech? Also incredible: “I’m deeply humbled and grateful for this award. I believe that for all the challenges, for all our challenges, we live at a glorious moment in history,” Jackson said. “It’s a moment when at long last women have made it clear that we will no longer be controlled, manipulated or abused. I stand with those women and with those men equally outraged by discrimination who support us in heart and mind. This is also a moment when our public discourse is loud and harsh. My prayer is that, weary of such noise, we turn back to the source of all calmness. That source — that source is God. Everything we lack, God has in abundance, compassion, sensitivity, patience and a boundless love. So again, I want to thank all of you for this honor, and I thank God for giving me the precious energy that lets me live my life as an artist who every single day seeks to expand my capacity to love.”
2. Salt-N-Pepa's energetic performance of their biggest hits. It was definitely ladies' night at the Billboard Awards, and with due cause. Front and center of the female-centric performances was legendary hip-hop duo, Salt-N-Pepa, who killed their lively set, running through hits including, "Let's Talk About Sex" (where they were accompanied by Ne-Yo) and their iconic song, "Push It." They were joined by En Vogue for "Whatta Man" and later, by Kelly Clarkson.
“So much fun. It feels great. We can relax now. It was a little nerve-wracking but we had so much fun," En Vogue's Terry Ellis said of the set.
3. The Sante Fe Tributes. Host Kelly Clarkson said that the producers wanted her to start with a moment of silence to honor the students at Santa Fe High School in Texas on Friday, where eight students and two teachers were killed but she wasn't with that. "Why don’t we not do a moment of silence? Why don’t we do a moment of action? Why don’t we do a moment of change?” Clarkson said. “Why don’t we change what’s happening? Because it’s horrible.” Later, Khalid who was rocking a shirt that said, “Protect Our Guns Children" and Shawn Mendes performed "Youth" alongside the show choir from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., where 17 people were shot and killed in February.
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