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Drake with his many awards. Photo: Reuters

Canadian rapper Drake wins record 13 gongs at the Billboard Music awards

Drake

Rapper Drake grabbed a record 13 wins at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, eclipsing Adele’s previous record of 12 awards in 2012.

“I want to say, hold tight Adele, because when a new thing drops you’ll be back to get the record back,” the Canadian recording artist said in accepting one of his awards at the star-studded event held in Las Vegas.

Drake, who also won top artist, top male artist and top rap album for Views, later posed for photographers surrounded by his microphone-shaped trophies.

The three-hour show – hosted by hip-hop artist Ludacris and former High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgins – included performances by Miley Cyrus, the Chainsmokers, Nicki Minaj and Imagine Dragons.

Drake poses with his 13 awards at the Billboard Music Awards. Photo: AP

Beyonce and Twenty One Pilots each took five awards, although they were absent from the ceremony. The Chainsmokers earned four, including top collaboration and top hot 100 song for Closer with Halsey. Blake Shelton took home the award for top country artist, and top country song went to Florida Georgia Line.

Justin Timberlake’s Can’t Stop the Feeling won top selling song and top radio song.

Drake kisses presenter Kate Beckinsale's hand as he walks on stage to accepts the award for top male artist at the Billboard Music Awards. Photo: AP

The Icon Award for achievement in music went to Cher, 71, who gave a heartfelt speech after performing two of her biggest hits – Believe and If I Could Turn Back Time.

“I want to thank my mom because when I was really young, my mom said ‘You’re not going to be the smartest. You’re not going to be the prettiest. You’re not going to be the most talented, but you’re going to be special,’” Cher said.

Canadian singer Celine Dion delivered an emotional performance of her award-winning song My Heart Will Go On from the soundtrack of the film Titanic to mark 20 years since its release.

Dion, who was Billboard’s Icon last year, lost her husband and former manager Rene Angelil to cancer in 2016.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Drake wins record 13 Billboard gongs
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