What can you expect from an award show that wasn’t at the 2012 Billboard Awards? High-flying acts, incredible talent under one roof, acceptance speeches and tributes to the great artists that started it all. Plus, it all went down in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pop-rockin’ partiers LMFAO opened the show with a performance of their two mega-hits “Sexy and I Know It” and “Party Rock Anthem.” You can probably guess there was shuffling, dancing zebras, crazy patterned-pants, big hair and tiny boxers. Another day in the office for that duo.
Then it was time to present. The first award of the night was Top Social Artist and it went to Mr. Justin Bieber. According to red (or, in this case white) carpet hosts, since he’s all grown up now we can no longer refer to him as ‘The Biebs.’ He would perform his new song “Boyfriend” later; the dancers (guys and girls) were one thing but when he got the mimes and black light in effect he pretty much shut down the MGM Grand.
His mentor Usher also got to grace the stage, moving and sounding as good as he ever has in his career in his performance of “Scream” from his upcoming album. He even got a look-alike on stage to mirror his every move. That must’ve been something to rehearse.
Let’s not forget about two new acts burning up the charts, Canadian songstress Carly Rae Jepsen and British hunks The Wanted. The Wanted came out guns blazing with their songs “Chasing The Sun” and “Glad You Came.” Jepsen charmed the crowd into a frenzy with her incredibly catchy #1 “Call Me Maybe.” Seasoned American Idol alums Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood also brought the house down not long after.
Let’s not forget about Chris Brown. Whenever he hits the stage all bets are sure to be off. His hit “Turn Up The Music” did just that in the MGM Grand; guys rode neon bikes behind Brown on a half-pipe while he danced his #$% off. Too bad the lip synching was a bit obvious; with all the dancing he was doing it would’ve been virtually impossible to sing at the same time. It looked like that much of a workout!
We can’t leave Katy Perry out, who debuted her brand spankin’ new single “Wide Awake.” This performance, quite predictably, done from practically the rafters with pink ribbon and fluffy dream-like steamers. But that made good on the effect the song was supposed to have! Perry killed it, by the way.
The night wouldn’t have been complete without tributes to the greats that we’ve lost recently. They had to mention Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, which Wiz Khalifa handled quite well. BeeGees member, co-founder and brother Robin Gibb was paid tribute also, having just that day lost his battle with cancer. Natasha Beddingfield did an amazing rendition of the late Donna Summers’ song “Last Dance.” Stevie Wonder was also an honoree with the Billboard Icon Award. He performed with another legend in the making, Alicia Keys, to celebrate.
And no award show this year will be complete without a tribute to the great Whitney Houston. John Legend lent his vocals to a powerful rendition of “The Greatest Love Of All” and Jordin Sparks blew everyone in Nevada away with a moving performance of “I Will Always Love You.” Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, also graced the stage to accept Houston’s Billboard Millennium Award.
Most award shows have awkward hosts, mediocre scattered talent and dragging speeches. While Bieber’s was lengthy (ending with a resounding “swaggy”), there was so much raw talent in the building that the usual quirkiness was overlooked. One can only hope next year’s show will be as exciting.
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