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Awards

Taylor Swift Leads Finalists for 2023 Billboard Music Awards: Full List

The megastar is followed on the leaderboard by Morgan Wallen, SZA, The Weeknd, Drake & Zach Bryan.

Taylor Swift Leads Finalists for 2023 Billboard Music Awards: Full List

Taylor Swift is the top finalist for the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, which are set for Sunday, Nov. 19. Swift is a finalist in 20 categories. At next month’s show, Swift — who is already the top female BBMAs recipient of all time with 29 wins — could surpass Drake to become the top overall leader. Drake has won 34 BBMAs and is a finalist for 14 more this year.

Swift could also break Drake’s record for the most Billboard Music Awards won in one night. Drake received 13 awards at the show in 2017.


Morgan Wallen and SZA are runners-up, with 17 entries each; followed by The Weeknd (16); Drake and Zach Bryan (14); Luke Combs (10); 21 Savage, Metro Boomin and Miley Cyrus (nine each); Beyoncé and Rema (seven each); Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma (six each); and Ariana Grande, David Guetta, Eslabon Armado, KAROL G, NewJeans and Selena Gomez (five each).

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The 2023 BBMAs will deliver a fresh awards show concept that will entertain fans with music and exclusive content, including winner celebrations, behind-the-scenes moments and performances created by the world’s biggest artists. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the BBMAs and Spotify ‘Fans First’ will bring fans up-close-and-personal with their favorite artists. Performances and awards will roll out across the BBMAs and Billboard social channels, as well as via BBMAs.watch on Sunday, Nov. 19. Billboard Music Awards performers will be revealed daily on BBMAs social channels, starting Monday, Nov. 6.

Bryan is this year’s leading first-time BBMA finalist. Additional first-time BBMA finalists include Bailey Zimmerman, Coi Leray, Fifty Fifty, Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera, Jelly Roll, Ice Spice, Metro Boomin, NewJeans, Peso Pluma and Oliver Anthony Music.

Nine new awards were unveiled this year, including four in the bourgeoning K-pop field – top global K-pop artist, top K-pop tour, top K-pop album and top global K-pop song – and two in the red-hot Afrobeats field — top Afrobeats artist and top Afrobeats song.

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Several other award shows have added categories recognizing African music in the past year. Wizkid was the inaugural winner of favorite Afrobeats artist at the American Music Awards in November 2022. “Calm Down” by Rema & Selena Gomez was the inaugural winner of best Afrobeats at last month’s MTV Video Awards. The nominees for the inaugural Grammy Award for best African music performance will be revealed on Nov. 10.

The BBMAs are also adding new categories for top Hot 100 songwriter and top Hot 100 producer. Swift, her frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff and Bryan are among the finalists in both categories.

The show is also adding a new award for top rock duo/group. Last year, there were two rock categories: top rock artist (four groups or duos competed with Machine Gun Kelly) and top rock tour.

Country, rock and Latin are the only genres that have a category for top duos/groups. As a result, country and Latin have seven categories, one more than R&B and rap, which have six each. Those genres are followed by rock, which has five categories; K-pop (four); dance/electronic, Christian and gospel (three each); and Afrobeats (two).

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The late Whitney Houston, who amassed 16 BBMA Awards – third-most among women, behind Taylor Swift and Adele – is a finalist for top gospel album for I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston.

Several other all-time BBMA winners are finalists again this year. The Weeknd, who has amassed 20 BBMA Awards, has 16 entries this year; Beyoncé, who has 13 BBMAs, has seven; Bad Bunny, who has 10 BBMAs, the most among Latin artists, has six.

Kanye West/Ye, who has received 17 BBMAs, has one entry this year; Rihanna, who has received 12, has two.

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Elton John, who has been turning out top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 longer than most of today’s pop fans have been alive, is a finalist in two categories this year—top rock touring artist and top dance/electronic song, for “Hold Me Closer,” a collab with Britney Spears.

Unique among music awards shows, winners are determined by performance metrics on the year-end Billboard charts, the music industry’s ultimate authority and data-driven measure of success. The eligibility dates for this year’s awards are aligned with Billboard’s year-end charts tracking period, which measures music consumption from the charts dated Nov. 19, 2022, through Oct. 21, 2023. (That corresponds to the tracking period of Nov. 4, 2022 through Oct. 12, 2023.)

The 2023 Billboard Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions.

The 2023 Billboard Music Award is presented by Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott’s award-winning travel program and marketplace. One special BBMAs performance and two exclusive acceptance speeches will be hosted at extraordinary hotel brands within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy will be providing a select group of fans access to attend five BBMAs performances via Marriott Bonvoy Moments. Be on the lookout for special access to the final performance, becoming available on Oct. 30.

Other sponsors include Lexus, who will be surprising one lucky fan with the ultimate VIP treatment. In addition to having the best seat in the house, they’ll Experience Amazing with a private ride in a luxury Lexus vehicle to the one-of-a-kind performance.

Follow the BBMAs on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and YouTube; join the conversation with the hashtag #BBMAs; and get the latest news and updates at BillboardMusicAwards.com and BBMAs.watch.

Here’s the complete list of 2023 Billboard Music Awards finalists. New categories are denoted by the word (NEW).

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ARTIST AWARDS

Top Artist

Drake

Luke Combs

Morgan Wallen

SZA

Taylor Swift

Top New Artist

Bailey Zimmerman

Ice Spice

Jelly Roll

Peso Pluma

Zach Bryan

Top Male Artist

Drake

Luke Combs

Morgan Wallen

The Weeknd

Zach Bryan

Top Female Artist

Beyoncé

Miley Cyrus

Olivia Rodrigo

SZA

Taylor Swift

Top Duo/Group

Eslabon Armado

Fifty Fifty

Fuerza Regida

Grupo Frontera

Metallica

Top Billboard 200 Artist

Drake

Luke Combs

Morgan Wallen

SZA

Taylor Swift

Top Hot 100 Artist

Drake

Luke Combs

Morgan Wallen

SZA

Taylor Swift

Top Hot 100 Songwriter (NEW)

Ashley Gorley

Jack Antonoff

SZA

Taylor Swift

Zach Bryan

Top Hot 100 Producer (NEW)

Jack Antonoff

Joey Moi

Metro Boomin

Taylor Swift

Zach Bryan

Top Streaming Songs Artist

Drake

Morgan Wallen

SZA

Taylor Swift

Zach Bryan

Top Radio Songs Artist

Miley Cyrus

Morgan Wallen

SZA

Taylor Swift

The Weeknd

Top Song Sales Artist

Jason Aldean

Miley Cyrus

Morgan Wallen

Oliver Anthony Music

Taylor Swift

Top Billboard Global 200 Artist

Bad Bunny

Morgan Wallen

SZA

Taylor Swift

The Weeknd

Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Artist

Bad Bunny

Ed Sheeran

NewJeans

Taylor Swift

The Weeknd

Top R&B Artist

Beyoncé

Chris Brown

Rihanna

SZA

The Weeknd

Top R&B Male Artist

Chris Brown

Miguel

The Weeknd

Top R&B Female Artist

Beyoncé

Rihanna

SZA

Top R&B Touring Artist

Beyoncé

Bruno Mars

The Weeknd

Top Rap Artist

21 Savage

Drake

Lil Baby

Metro Boomin

Travis Scott

Top Rap Male Artist

21 Savage

Drake

Travis Scott

Top Rap Female Artist

Doja Cat

Ice Spice

Nicki Minaj

Top Rap Touring Artist

50 Cent

Drake

Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa

Top Country Artist

Bailey Zimmerman

Luke Combs

Morgan Wallen

Taylor Swift

Zach Bryan

Top Country Male Artist

Luke Combs

Morgan Wallen

Zach Bryan

Top Country Female Artist

Lainey Wilson

Megan Moroney

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Taylor Swift

Top Country Duo/Group

Old Dominion

Parmalee

Zac Brown Band

Top Country Touring Artist

George Strait

Luke Combs

Morgan Wallen

Top Rock Artist

Jelly Roll

Noah Kahan

Stephen Sanchez

Steve Lacy

Zach Bryan

Top Rock Duo/Group (NEW)

Arctic Monkeys

Foo Fighters

Metallica

Top Rock Touring Artist

Coldplay

Depeche Mode

Elton John

Top Latin Artist

Bad Bunny

Eslabon Armado

Fuerza Regida

KAROL G

Peso Pluma

Top Latin Male Artist

Bad Bunny

Peso Pluma

Rauw Alejandro

Top Latin Female Artist

KAROL G

ROSALÍA

Shakira

Top Latin Duo/Group

Eslabon Armado

Fuerza Regida

Grupo Frontera

Top Latin Touring Artist

Daddy Yankee

Karol G

RBD

Top Global K-Pop Artist (NEW)

Jimin

NewJeans

Stray Kids

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

TWICE

Top K-Pop Touring Artist (NEW)

BLACKPINK

SUGA

TWICE

Top Afrobeats Artist (NEW)

Burna Boy

Libianca

Rema

Tems

Wizkid

Top Dance/Electronic Artist

Beyoncé

Calvin Harris

David Guetta

Drake

Tiësto

Top Christian Artist

Brandon Lake

Elevation Worship

for KING & COUNTRY

Lauren Daigle

Phil Wickham

Top Gospel Artist

CeCe Winans

Elevation Worship

Kanye West

Kirk Franklin

Maverick City Music

ALBUM AWARDS

Top Billboard 200 Album

Drake & 21 Savage, Her Loss

Metro Boomin, HEROES & VILLAINS

Morgan Wallen, One Thing at a Time

SZA, SOS

Taylor Swift, Midnights

Top Soundtrack

Barbie: The Album

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By

ELVIS

Metro Boomin Presents Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Soundtrack From and Inspired by the Motion Picture)

Top Gun: Maverick

Top R&B Album

Beyoncé, RENAISSANCE

Brent Faiyaz, WASTELAND

Drake, Honestly, Nevermind

Steve Lacy, Gemini Rights

SZA, SOS

Top Rap Album

Drake & 21 Savage, Her Loss

Future, I Never Liked You

Lil Baby, It’s Only Me

Metro Boomin, HEROES & VILLAINS

Travis Scott, UTOPIA

Top Country Album

Luke Combs, Gettin’ Old

Luke Combs, Growin’ Up

Morgan Wallen, One Thing at a Time

Taylor Swift, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)

Zach Bryan, American Heartbreak

Top Rock Album

HARDY, the mockingbird & THE CROW

Jelly Roll, Whitsitt Chapel

Noah Kahan, Stick Season

Steve Lacy, Gemini Rights

Zach Bryan, American Heartbreak

Top Latin Album

Bad Bunny, Un Verano Sin Ti

Eslabon Armado, DESVELADO

Ivan Cornejo, Dañado

KAROL G, MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO

Peso Pluma, GÉNESIS

Top K-Pop Album (NEW)

Jimin, FACE

NewJeans, 2nd EP ‘Get Up’

Stray Kids, 5-STAR

TOMORROW X TOGETHER, The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION

TWICE, READY TO BE: 12th Mini Album

Top Dance/Electronic Album

Beyoncé, RENAISSANCE

Drake, Honestly, Nevermind

ILLENIUM, ILLENIUM

Kim Petras, Feed the Beast

Tiësto, DRIVE

Top Christian Album

Anne Wilson, My Jesus

Brandon Lake, House of Miracles

CAIN, Rise Up

Elevation Worship, LION

Lauren Daigle, Lauren Daigle

Top Gospel Album

Jonathan McReynolds, My Truth

Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin, Kingdom Book One

Tye Tribbett, All Things New

Whitney Houston, I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston

Zacardi Cortez, Imprint (Live in Memphis)

SONG AWARDS

Top Hot 100 Song

Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage, “Creepin’”

Miley Cyrus, “Flowers”

Morgan Wallen, “Last Night”

SZA, “Kill Bill”

Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero”

Top Streaming Song

Miley Cyrus, “Flowers”

Morgan Wallen, “Last Night”

SZA, “Kill Bill”

Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero”

Zach Bryan, “Something in the Orange”

Top Radio Song

Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage, “Creepin’”

Miley Cyrus, “Flowers”

Rema & Selena Gomez, “Calm Down”

Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero”

The Weeknd & Ariana Grande “Die for You”

Top Selling Song

Jason Aldean, “Try That in a Small Town”

Jimin, ‘Like Crazy”

Miley Cyrus,“Flowers”

Oliver Anthony Music, “Rich Men North of Richmond”

Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero”

Top Collaboration

David Guetta & Bebe Rexha, “I’m Good (Blue)”

Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage, “Creepin’”

Rema & Selena Gomez, “Calm Down”

Sam Smith & Kim Petras, “Unholy”

The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, “Die for You”

Top Billboard Global 200 Song

Miley Cyrus, “Flowers”

Rema & Selena Gomez, “Calm Down”

SZA, “Kill Bill”

Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero”

The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, “Die for You”

Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Song

David Guetta & Bebe Rexha, “I’m Good (Blue)”

Harry Styles, “As It Was”

Miley Cyrus, “Flowers”

Rema & Selena Gomez, “Calm Down”

The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, “Die for You”

Top R&B Song

Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage, “Creepin’”

Miguel, “Sure Thing”

The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, “Die for You”

SZA, “Kill Bill”

SZA, “Snooze”

Top Rap Song

Coi Leray, “Players”

Drake & 21 Savage, “Rich Flex”

Gunna, “fukumean”

Lil Durk ft. J. Cole, “All My Life”

Toosii, “Favorite Song”

Top Country Song

Bailey Zimmerman, “Rock and a Hard Place”

Luke Combs, “Fast Car”

Morgan Wallen, “Last Night”

Morgan Wallen, “You Proof”

Zach Bryan, “Something in the Orange”

Top Rock Song

Jelly Roll, “Need A Favor”

Stephen Sanchez, “Until I Found You”

Steve Lacy, “Bad Habit”

Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves, “I Remember Everything”

Zach Bryan, “Something in the Orange”

Top Latin Song

Eslabon Armado x Peso Pluma, “Ella Baila Sola”

Fuerza Regida x Grupo Frontera, “Bebe Dame”

Grupo Frontera x Bad Bunny, “un x100to”

KAROL G & Shakira, “TQG”

Yng Lvcas x Peso Pluma, “La Bebe”

Top Global K-Pop Song (NEW)

Fifty Fifty, “Cupid”

Jimin, “Like Crazy”

Jungkook ft. Latto, “Seven”

NewJeans, “Ditto”

NewJeans, “OMG”

Top Afrobeats Song (NEW)

Ayra Starr, “Rush”

Libianca, “People”

Oxlade, “KU LO SA”

Rema & Selena Gomez, “Calm Down”

Victony, Rema, & Tempoe ft. Don Toliver, “Soweto”

Top Dance/Electronic Song

Bizarrap & Shakira, “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53”

David Guetta, Anne-Marie & Coi Leray, “Baby Don’t Hurt Me”

David Guetta & Bebe Rexha, “I’m Good (Blue)”

Elton John & Britney Spears, “Hold Me Closer”

Tiësto ft. Tate McRae, “10:35”

Top Christian Song

Brandon Lake, “Gratitude”

Chris Tomlin, “Holy Forever”

for KING & COUNTRY with Jordin Sparks, “Love Me Like I Am”

Lauren Daigle, “Thank God I Do”

Phil Wickham, “This Is Our God”

Top Gospel Song

CeCe Winans, “Goodness of God”

Crowder & Dante Bowe ft. Maverick City Music, “God Really Loves Us”

Elevation Worship ft. Chandler Moore & Tiffany Hudson, “More Than Able”

Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin ft. Brandon Lake & Chandler Moore, “Fear is Not My Future”

Zacardi Cortez, “Lord Do It for Me (Live in Memphis)”

This article was first published by Billboard U.S.

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Swiftcouver sign in Vancouver.
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'Swiftcouver' sign in Vancouver.

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