The Billboard Music Awards is a prestigious event and recognises the top stars of the industry, hosted by the renowned publication and music chart specialist. The awards are held annually, and the list of nominees is always eagerly awaited, this year is no exception.

The finalists are chosen based on album sales, radio airplay, digital streaming, touring and social media presence. This year’s event will be presented by pop superstar Kelly Clarkson on May 20.

There are over  50 categories, the most popular being Top Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top New Artist and Top Hot 100 Song. A win in any of these sections can increase sales and is recognised throughout the music industry as a genuine triumph.

Nominees for Top Artist in 2018 are Bruno Mars, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift. With each of them also having nominations in other categories, including the Top Billboard 200 Album, a win of some kind is assured.

The award for Top New Artist can catapult the lucky winner into music superstardom, with this year’s nominees being 21 Savage, Camila Cabelo, Cardi B, Khalid and Kodak Black.

The Top Hot 100 Song category may have met the requirements for having five nominees, but the winner is widely thought to be an absolute certainty: “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber, now the most watched video of all time on YouTube with a staggering five billion views!

Other more unusual categories, but none the less hotly contested, include Top Christian Artist, Top Gospel Song and Top Soundtrack.

The three-hour event will be broadcast live on NBC, direct from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and a special segment of the show will commemorate 60 years of the Billboard charts.