Swift Wins 8, Kanye Booed at Billboard Awards

She beats Garth Brooks' 19-win record
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 17, 2015 11:48 PM CDT
Updated May 18, 2015 12:30 AM CDT
Swift Wins 8, Kanye Booed at Billboard Awards
Kanye West performs at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, May 17, 2015, in Las Vegas.   (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift dominated the Billboard Music Awards with eight wins, including top artist, while Kanye West was booed during his performance that closed the event in Las Vegas last night. Swift—now the most decorated artist in the show's history with 20 wins, beating Garth Brooks' 19—also won top Billboard 200 album for 1989 and top female artist. "Oh, this is such a good night!" she said after winning the top prize, besting One Direction, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith, and Katy Perry. "Early this morning I watched my brother Austin graduate from Notre Dame ... to anyone who's graduating this year ... this is for you. This is kind of a graduation for us," Swift said to the audience of top musicians. West, however, was booed during his smoky performance of "All Day" and "Black Skinhead."

One Direction, which recently downsized to four members, won the award for top duo/group; they also won top touring artist. Iggy Azalea won top rap song for "Fancy," as well as top streaming artist and rap artist. Pharrell and Smith—who recently had vocal surgery and didn't attend the show—also won three awards each. Other performers included Van Halen, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, and Simple Minds, who performed "Don't You (Forget About Me)" from The Breakfast Club, which is celebrating its 30-year anniversary. Molly Ringwald introduced the band and stood next to Swift in the audience while they performed. (Also booed at the Billboard Music Awards: Justin Bieber in 2013.)

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