Madonna, Kesha, Dion Rule the Stage at Emotional Billboard Awards

The three-hour live telecast from Las Vegas stuck to its tradition of a performance-heavy annual show featuring top recording stars in spectacular production numbers.

Britney Spears kicked things off, dazzling in a daring red outfit for a medley of her hits.

The Weeknd, the night's big winner with eight, dedicated the first award to Prince, the Grammy-winning pop superstar best known for such hits as "Purple Rain" and "Let's Go Crazy," who died at his Minnesota home in April aged 57.

He told the audience, "I love him so much. I didn't know him, but he was so close to me. He will always be an inspiration."

"I want to dedicate this award to the late great Prince," The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye), said in accepting the Top Hot 100 Artist award.

Madonna ended the show with a Prince tribute that included "Nothing Compares 2 U," before she was joined by Stevie Wonder for "Purple Rain" as the audience rose to its feet, arms gently swaying above their heads and singing along.

Earlier, Kesha delivered an emotional rendition of Dylan's classic in a much-anticipated performance that was nearly canceled by her label in a legal dispute.

Kemosabe Records relented, saying Kesha had assured them she would not use her time as a platform to address her failed legal bid against Sony Corp's Sony Music and producer Dr. Luke. Kemosabe, founded by Dr. Luke, is a unit of Sony Music. The singer stood by her word.

While several awards were handed out during the show, including to British singer Adele who won the big prize - she didn't attend the show because she's on tour, top artist and accepted via a video segment, it was performances by the likes of Ariana Grande, Celine Dion, and Rihanna that ruled.

Celine Dion, making her first televised singing performance since the death of her husband, Rene Angelil, tearfully accepted the Icon Award for lifetime achievement, which in a surprise was presented by her son, Rene-Charles.

"I'm so sorry, I don't want to cry in front of you," Dion told the audience. She ended by holding her award aloft and declaring, "Rene, this one's for you, the show must go on," echoing the title of the Queen song she had just performed.

Demi Lovato's performance of "Cool for the Summer" was among the night's best. She made a statement by wearing a shirt featuring an inclusive bathroom symbol, taking a stance against North Carolina's recent law addressing LGBT rights and bathroom use by transgender people.

Other top prizes went to Rihanna in the fan-voted chart achievement award, Justin Bieber for top male artist, Adele for both top female artist and Billboard 200 album, and The Weeknd for R & B song "The Hills."

Gospel artist Kirk Franklin, rapper Wiz Khalifa, pop singer Charlie Puth and the bands twenty one pilots, Walk the Moon and Hillsong UNITED also won multiple awards.

Ciara and Ludacris hosted the show. In the opening monologue, the rapper poked at this year's Academy Awards, which featured all-white acting nominees.

"Unlike the Oscars, we actually have black nominees," Ludacris said to laughs.

REUTERS | AP