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Billboard Music Awards 2016: Must-See Performances

The Billboard Music Awards are done and dusted for another year, and once again brought the goods when it comes to live performances from music’s biggest and (sometimes) best. We’ve checked out all the videos from the show, and narrowed it down to the 5 must see sets. Check them out below!

Rihanna

I have only four words for you: Bad. Gal. Ri. Ri. She absolutely killed it! Her passionate, heart-wrenching ballad taken from her opus, ANTI, titled Love On The Brain was a gentle push on the break pedal from the other high intensity, full throttle performances, and provided a rare glimpse into the other side of Rihanna. A simple set up with a green background, RiRi stood behind a mic stand as she belted out her song, wearing green fur similar to her memorable Bitch Better Have My Money performance with the helicopter at last year’s iHeartRadio music awards. It’s a stunning performance, and definitely the best of the night.

Britney Spears

The Princess of Pop reclaimed her throne at the BBMAs this year, with a medley of her greatest hits effortlessly pulled off. The child star-turned-pop-icon-turned-example-of-what-not-to-do-when-you’re-famous-turned-icon-again showed everyone why she is one of the world’s biggest pop artists ever, with a mix of songs including everything from Toxic to Womanizer to Work Bitch. Dance routines and a back up crew cutting all kinds of shapes, as well as multiple costume changes and an exciting light show started things off with a bang this year, and served as a not so gentle reminder that it’s Britney, bitch!

Ariana Grande

Having just released her sensational new album, Dangerous Woman on Friday last week, Ariana seized the opportunity to show off some new material. Performing a mash up of title track Dangerous Woman and new single Into You, she showcased her incredible set of pipes in front of a gaggle of back up dancers, performing her sexually powerful and self-assertive new tunes with so much confidence it almost came off as nonchalant. Stepping up her musical capabilities as well as her femme-fatale attitude, Ariana killed it from start to finish here. We’re predicting Into You to be absolutely everywhere soon.

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber has been thrust onto the world stage for the last 6+ months thanks to his “comeback” album, Purpose and the huge amount of certified bangers on it, and whilst in the past he hasn’t exactly given his live performances his all, this time around he looked raring to go. Complete with back up dances, an elaborate stage set up, jets of fire and an insane light show, Biebs was back to administer another dosage of Bieber Fever at the BBMAs. Performing Sorry and Company, two stand out tunes on his album, he showed everyone that the comeback is far from over, and reaffirmed the fact that we are also far from being over it. Yassss Bieber!

Kesha

This performance almost didn’t happen, so the fact that Kesha did in fact get up on stage with Ben Folds to perform a cover of Bob Dylan’s It Ain’t Me Babe was a very big win for an artist who just can’t catch a break. After months of emotionally exhausting court cases to free her from a contract with her alleged abuser, Dr Luke, and having her case consequently thrown out, the music world has rallied around Kesha to hear her and what she’s trying to say, and this jaw-dropping performance showed that although she isn’t in a good place, there is still light at the end of the tunnel for her. Here’s hoping she sees justice soon.

Image: BGR