MAIN Pop Culture Pop Music Billboard Music Awards

What sets the BMAs apart from most award shows?

Based on Nielsen data for sales, downloads and airplay, the BMA Music Awards recognize that fans vote with their pocketbook. Therefore, it's only the most popular recording and touring artists of the year who earn their place on an annual roster of top nominees.

This year, nominees were announced in April, followed by a primetime awards show as the BMA's were broadcast live at 8PM on Sunday, May 20, 2012 on ABC Television.

Leading the nominations this year was Adele, LMFAO, and Rihanna with Adele and Rihanna joining Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne and Katy Perry in contention for this year's Top Artist award.

Top Male Artist nominees included Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Drake, Lil Wayne, and Bruno Mars.

Hosting this year's awards were Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell from the cast of Modern Family. On awards night, live performances were given by Justin Bieber, Linkin Park, Usher, Carrie Underwood, LMFAO and The Wanted, followed by a special tribute to late pop diva Whitney Houston.

Around the Web, check out more about the BMA's including picture galleries & video clips, related feature stories, interviews, performer bio's, winners and nominees, and a bit of history & trivia behind the scenes at the Billboard Music Awards ...

Billboard - The official site of the award hosts including headline music news, tour dates of favorite artists, album reviews, pop music history, video clips, and related features including the Billboard Hot 100.

Billboard Music Awards - Wikipedia entry with a history of the BMA's, list of major winners dating back to 1992, and related resources.

also see -> Latin Billboard Music Awards

2012 Billboard Music Awards Nominees & * Winners

Top Artist:
* Adele
Lady Gaga
Lil Wayne
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Top New Artist:
* Wiz Khalifa
Bad Meets Evil
Big Sean
Foster The People
Scotty McCreery

Top Male Artist:
* Lil Wayne
Justin Bieber
Chris Brown
Drake
Bruno Mars

Top Female Artist:
* Adele
Lady Gaga
Nicki Minaj
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Top Duo/Group:
* LMFAO
The Black Eyed Peas
Coldplay
Lady Antebellum
Maroon 5

Top Billboard 200 Artist:
* Adele
Justin Bieber
Michael Buble
Lady Gaga
Lil Wayne

Top Hot 100 Artist:
* LMFAO
Adele
Bruno Mars
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Top Digital Songs Artist:
* Adele
LMFAO
Bruno Mars
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Top Radio Songs Artist:
* Adele
Katy Perry
Bruno Mars
Nicki Minaj
Rihanna

Top Touring Artist:
* U2
Bon Jovi
Taylor Swift
Take That
Roger Waters

Top Social Artist:
* Justin Bieber
Eminem
Lady Gaga
Rihanna
Shakira

Top Streaming Artist:
* Rihanna
Lil Wayne
LMFAO
Nicki Minaj
Bruno Mars

Top Digital Media Artist:
* Adele
Justin Bieber
Lady Gaga
Lil Wayne
Rihanna

Top Pop Artist:
* Adele
Lady Gaga
LMFAO
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Top R&B Artist:
* Chris Brown
Beyonce
Cee Lo Green
Miguel
Rihanna

Top Rap Artist:
* Lil Wayne
Drake
LMFAO
Nicki Minaj
Wiz Khalifa

Top Country Artist:
* Jason Aldean
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift

Top Rock Artist:
* Coldplay
The Black Keys
Foster The People
Foo Fighters
Mumford & Sons

Top Alternative Artist:
* Coldplay
The Black Keys
Foster The People
Foo Fighters
Mumford & Sons

Top Latin Artist:
* Shakira
Mana
Pitbull
Prince Royce
Romeo Santos

Top Dance Artist:
* Lady Gaga
David Guetta
LMFAO
Rihanna
Britney Spears

Top Christian Artist:
* Casting Crowns
MercyMe
Skillet
Laura Story
Chris Tomlin