The Weeknd Dominates Billboard Music Awards, Hints the End of “After Hours” Era

The Weeknd performs during the half time show at Super Bowl LV in 2021.
The Weeknd performs during the half time show at Super Bowl LV in 2021. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Shutterstock (11750081k)

After The Weeknd and his chart-topping album After Hours were controversially snubbed at the Grammys, the Billboard Music Awards made sure not to make the same mistake.

The Canadian singer dominated this year’s Billboard Music Awards ceremony and won an impressive 10 awards. This included nods as Top Artist, Top R&B Album for After Hours, and Top Hot 100 Song for “Blinding Lights.”

During his acceptance speeches, The Weeknd looked to be in a great mood, deciding to drop a few nuggets about his plans for the future. After receiving the Top Artist award, he hinted at the end of the After Hours era by thanking God for not having “to wear that red suit again.”

The “Starboy” singer also teased new music while accepting the Top Hot 100 Song award. Before leaving the stage, he proclaimed that “the After Hours are done, and the dawn is coming.”

Other music acts that won big at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards were the late rapper Pop Smoke, Latin superstar Bad Bunny, and K-pop sensation BTS.

Pop Smoke won five awards, including Top New Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album for Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon. Bad Bunny won four awards from six Latin categories, while BTS also got four, including Top Duo/Group and Top Selling Song for “Dynamite.”