The 2021 Billboard Music Awards wrapped just a few days ago, and while the latest iteration of the chart company’s annual show wasn’t exactly typical, it was a historic evening for one of the biggest acts in the global music industry. BTS took home every honor they were up for, nearly doubling their total number of BBMA trophies in one evening. The seven-member vocal managed to make history in every area they were nominated in, and they stand out as one of the biggest winners of the night.
Here are eight ways BTS made history at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.
Second-Most Top Duo/Group Wins
BTS took home Top Duo/Group, beating fellow bands AC/DC, AJR, Dan + Shay and Maroon 5, a lineup that shows how diverse the category can be when it comes to the kind of music they all make. 2021 marked the second time the South Korean superstars claimed the honor, and with one more trophy, they now stand out as just the fourth name to win more than once.
One Direction leads the way among all groups, as the boy band came out on top three times, while Imagine Dragons and Destiny’s Child also won it twice.
Second-Most Top Social Artist Wins
Amazingly, only two artists have won the Top Social Artist Billboard Music Award, even though it’s now been given out for more than a decade. Justin Bieber snagged the honor the first six years it was offered, and BTS has earned it at each of the five shows since then. The septet only needs to collect one more prize to match the all-time record, and they likely will at the 2022 ceremony.
Second Group To Win Top Selling Song
BTS won Top Selling Song for their first Hot 100 No. 1 “Dynamite,” which easily ended 2020 as the bestselling track in the U.S. By claiming the honor, they became the second group to hear their name called, as Maroon 5 won the vertical two years back. Two other tracks that were named the champions were powered by collaborations between more than one solo musician, but those aren’t counted as proper bands.
First Group To Win Top Selling Song Unaccompanied
The only other group to win Top Selling Song, Maroon 5, didn’t do so alone. The pop outfit’s “Girls Like You” was named a bestseller at the 2019 ceremony, with the band and Cardi B both receiving the honor. BTS didn’t need anyone else’s help to make “Dynamite” a massive sales success.
Fifth Group Nominated For Top Selling Song
Looking at all the songs that have been nominated for Top Selling Song throughout the years, only five groups have managed to compete in the category. In addition to BTS and Maroon 5, fellow bands Imagine Dragons, Twenty One Pilots and The Chainsmokers have all had a shot at winning, though the latter three haven’t yet come out on top.
First Group To Win Top Song Sales Artist
Only included in the Billboard Music Awards since 2016, Top Song Sales Artist recognizes those acts that sold the most copies of songs in the tracking period, as opposed to Top Selling Song, which looks at just which one tune actually sold the best. BTS made history as the first group to dominate this field.
Fifth Act To Win Top Song Sales Artist
Amazingly, BTS is just the fifth act of any kind to win Top Song Sales Artist at the Billboard Music Awards. They join The Weeknd, Lizzo, Ed Sheeran and Drake, who has already snagged the prize twice.
Fourth Group Nominated For Top Song Sales Artist
BTS may be the first band or group to win Top Song Sales Artist, but the K-pop titans aren’t the first to be nominated for the prize. The Chainsmokers, Twenty One Pilots and Imagine Dragons have also competed for the honor at least once.