The Billboard Music Awards honor Mary J. Blige as a music icon

The Billboard Music Travis Scott and Morgan Wallen returned controversially to Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards, while Mary J. Blige was honored for her musical excellence.

Wallen attended his first major awards show after being caught using racial slurs on camera more than a year ago. After not receiving an oral presentation, the country music star sat down with a four-member group and performed “Don’t Think Jesus,” then topped the charts with “Wasted on You,” a single from his popular project, Dangerous: The Double Album.”

Shortly after his performance, rapper Pusha T presented Wallen with the best country artist award.

“I want to say ‘thank God.’ And thank you to my fans. I have the best fans,” said Wallen, who admitted to accompanying his mother to her meetings. He also thanked Billboard for the invitation. He did not mention an incident last year in which the music industry rebuked the disgraced singer. Finally, thank you for my little son,” he continued. “You inspire me every day.”

Scott made his first television appearance after a massive mob killed ten and injured thousands at the Astroworld festival in Houston last November. The rapper performed his single “Mafia” in a cube of polar-themed ice set with heavily censored lyrics.

Maria J. Blige receives the Icon Award for Influential Music Creator. Known as the Queen of the Hip-Hop Soul, the singer was performed by Janet Jackson and joined on stage by Sean “Didi” Combs – director of the show, which was broadcast live on news from the MGM Grand Garden Arena Las Vegas.

Blige said he was “just asleep” after receiving the honor. He talks about how becoming an icon was not an easy achievement during his stellar career. But God helped me channel those experiences and emotions into my music; that’s where I started making music.”