It sounds like Drake has already won the 2017 Billboard Music Awards.
Not only is he up for 22 nominations (an all-time high record shared with The Chainsmokers), he’ll also take the stage for a live performance. And according to the show’s producers, Drizzy’s set will be one for the books.
"You know, Drake does not perform on television very often so I think whenever he does it's a real event," executive producer Mark Bracco told Billboard. "We built a real terrific relationship with his team, working creatively with them and coming up with a big idea, and I think it's gonna be a very, very big moment in the show. It's not a surprise necessarily but it's gonna be a moment that people aren't exactly expecting...It'll be memorable, I promise you that."
Bracco explained it took months to lock down and prepare for Drake’s BMA set. Once it was revealed how many nominations the Toronto rapper had earned this year, the pressure really increased.
"Obviously he then became the biggest nominee and that's a big deal and just trying to come up with something really different and unique and exciting and spectacular," Bracco said. "And that's what Drake deserves is a big, huge moment and, luckily, in working with his team I think we've come up with something creatively that's going to be really astounding."
Drake’s Young Money labelmate Nicki Minaj is expected to open the awards show and will be accompanied by Lil Wayne, David Guetta, and Jason Derulo. There’s no word if Drake will join Nicki on stage; however, fans are crossing their fingers that the two, along with Weezy, will perform their hit single "No Frauds." We’ll just have to wait and see.
Drake’s nominations include Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Selling Song (Drake Featuring, WizKid & Kyla "One Dance"), and Top Rap Album (Views). To see his big performance—as well as any potential wins—be sure to watch the 2017 BMAs on Sunday 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
