Disgraced country star wins Billboard Awards

Source image, Getty ImagesMark SavageBBC Music CorrespondentNovember 20, 2023

Country singer Morgan Wallen was the big winner at Sunday night's Billboard Music Awards, two years after being suspended by his label. for using a racist slur.

The musician won 11 awards, including Best Male Artist and Best Album and Single of the Year.< /p>

In 2021, Wallen was suspended by his label after he was filmed using the N-word after a night out with friends.

The star apologized and, reunited with his label, topped the US charts for 16 weeks this year with the double album One Thing At A Time.

Despite this success, he was excluded from the Grammy nominations this month, an indication that the recording industry as a whole has not forgiven him.

In contrast, the Billboard Awards are based solely on sales figures, meaning Wallen entered the ceremony with a good chance of dominating the major categories.

His total of 11 awards also included Top Country Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist and Top Country Touring Artist.

"The last awards show I went to, we came home empty handed and this one, I don't have enough hands for all of them," Wallen said.