Since unveiling the official 2020 nominations Tuesday (September 22), the Billboard Music Awards have been under fire for snubbing what many believe are the year’s biggest acts.
The criticism comes as the awards ceremony – which was initially scheduled for April – is set to air October 14 yet honor music acts based on the original chart period of award eligibility (March 23, 2019 through March 14, 2020).
Despite announcing the caveat, the organizers are still battling backlash from some of music’s most active fan bases – namely those of Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat.
Details inside:
Having landed their inaugural Hot 100 chart-toppers with two of the year’s biggest hits – ‘Savage’ and ‘Say So’ – Stallion and Cat respectively are easily the year’s breakout artists. Yet, neither were mentioned in the #BBMA’s ‘Top New Artist’ categories.
Instead, the category reads as follows.
Top New Artist
DaBaby
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Roddy Ricch
The fact the eligibility period predates the chart reigns of both ‘Savage’ and ‘Say So’ must not have mattered as fans lit into the awards show.
See highlights below:
If it’s any solace, Meg did nab a nod in the ‘Top Rap Female’ category while Doja was mentioned in the ‘Top R&B Song’ category for her Platinum hit, ‘Juicy.’
See the full list of nominees by clicking here.