Can I predict the future? Boy, I really wish I could sometimes. Can I predict the 2018 Billboard Music Awards winners? I am certainly going to try my best. The Billboards are all about fan-loved songs, radio hits, and top streaming artists. Each year, Celeb Secrets casts our BBMAs victor predictions out there into the universe, and see how far our educated guesses will travel.
Below, catch our thoughts on this year’s song category nominees. Then, be sure to catch the awards show all go down on May 20 on NBC.
Top Hot 100 Song:
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, “Despacito”
Kendrick Lamar, “Humble.”
Bruno Mars, “That’s What I Like”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage, “Rockstar”
Ed Sheeran, “Shape Of You”
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: Have any of the above songs actually been off your radio since they first debuted? This nominees list is literally the last five songs to play in my car before I got home to write this list. All solid contenders, but I’ve got to call it in favor of Ed Sheeran, especially for how many weeks he topped the Billboard charts with “Shape Of You.”
Top Streaming Song (Audio):
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, “Despacito”
Kendrick Lamar, “Humble.”
Lil Uzi Vert, “XO Tour LLIF3”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage, “Rockstar”
Post Malone ft. Quavo, “Congratulations”
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: I have personally streamed Kendrick Lamar‘s song “Humble” enough times to qualify it for this award, so the math is just adding up that way.
Top Streaming Song (Video):
Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, “Despacito”
Lil Pump, “Gucci Gang”
Bruno Mars, “That’s What I Like”
Ed Sheeran, “Shape of You”
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: Ooh, solid list here as well. All of the above artists’ streaming is out of control, but I think Bruno Mars takes the cake.
Top Selling Song:
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, “Despacito”
Sam Hunt, “Body Like A Back Road”
Imagine Dragons, “Believer”
Imagine Dragons, “Thunder”
Ed Sheeran “Perfect”
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: Selling is so hard. Like, we were all dancing to “Despacito” last summer, but how many of us went and spent our hard-earned coin on it? If we’re going purely numbers here, I have a feeling it’s Imagine Dragons, and “Believer” is stronger than “Thunder” in my humble opinion.
Top Radio Song:
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, “Something Just Like This”
Imagine Dragons, “Believer”
Bruno Mars, “That’s What I Like”
Charlie Puth, “Attention”
Ed Sheeran, “Shape of You”
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: One day, I was switching radio stations while stuck at a red light. Ed Sheeran‘s “Shape Of You” came on on the Top 40 station. Then I flipped to an indie/alternative rock station. Ed. And then to a hip-hop station. “Shape Of You” remix. Radio is Ed’s world.
Top Collaboration:
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug, “Havana”
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, “Something Just Like This”
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, “Despacito”
French Montana ft. Swae Lee, “Unforgettable”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage, “Rockstar”
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: Whoever got Justin Bieber on a Spanish language track is a genius and deserves every collaboration award out there for “Despacito.”
Top R&B Song:
Childish Gambino, “Redbone”
DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller, “Wild Thoughts”
Khalid, “Young Dumb & Broke”
Bruno Mars, “That’s What I Like”
Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B, “Finesse”
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: So many viral hits right here, but I’d be lying if I called this for anyone but Rihanna.
Top Rap Song:
Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper & Lil Wayne, “I’m The One”
French Montana ft. Swae Lee, “Unforgettable”
Kendrick Lamar, “Humble.”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage, “Rockstar”
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: There are so many distinct styles represented in this nominees list, but as far as Billboard charts are concerned, Cardi B blew everyone out of the water with “Bodak Yellow.”
Top Country Song:
Kane Brown ft. Lauren Alaina, “What Ifs”
Sam Hunt, “Body Like A Back Road”
Dustin Lynch, “Small Town Boy”
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line, “Meant To Be”
Brett Young, “In Case You Didn’t Know”
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: 100% Sam Hunt, this genre-breaking single has made its impact everywhere.
Top Rock Song:
Imagine Dragons “Believer”
Imagine Dragons “Thunder”
Linkin Park ft. Kiiara “Heavy”
Portugal. The Man “Feel It Still”
The Revivalists “Wish I Knew You”
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: I want to say Imagine Dragons, echoing my earlier statement on the strength of “Believer.” But after the passing of frontman Chester Bennington, Linkin Park‘s collaboration with Kiiara, “Heavy,” just became such a poignant song to find solace in. It would be beautiful to see the song awarded at the BBMAs.
Top Latin Song:
J Balvin & Willy William Ft. Beyonce, “Mi Gente”
Becky G ft. Bad Bunny, ”Mayores”
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, “Despacito”
Maluma, “Felices Los 4”
Wisin ft. Ozuna, “Escapate Conmigo”’
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: Willy William and J Balvin‘s song “Mi Gente” was already a scorching hot banger. And then Beyonce joined the track, with sales of the single going toward hurricane and earthquake relief at a critical time. Is this not everything you ever dreamed of an more in a song?!
Top Dance/Electronic Song:
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, “Something Just Like This”
Cheat Codes ft. Demi Lovato, “No Promises”
Clean Bandit ft. Sean Paul & Ann-Marie, “Rockabye”
Kygo & Selena Gomez, “It Ain’t Me”
Zedd & Alessia Cara, “Stay”
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: This group of songs is definitely strong, but Cheat Codes and Demi Lvoato’s “No Promises” is a cross-genre favorite that has been persistently lighting up the radio, summer music festivals, and more.
Top Christian Song:
Elevation Worship, “O Come To The Altar”
Hillsong Worship, “What A Beautiful Name”
Lecrae ft. Tori Kelly, “I’ll Find You”
MercyMe, “Even If”
Zach Williams, “Old Church Choir”
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: Everything about this coming-together of Lecrae and Tori Kelly is a win: from their vocals to their storytelling, and their amazing music video. I just know it’s resonating with listeners across genres.
Top Gospel Song:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy, “Trust In You”
Travis Greene, “You Waited”
J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, “You Deserve It”
Tamela Mann, “Change Me”
Charlie Wilson, “I’m Blessed”
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: Charlie Wilson‘s song “I’m Blessed,” is so motivational and catchy, it just lightens your spirits. (The audio remix with T.I. is a treat too, if you haven’t heard it!)
What do you think of our predictions? Make sure to leave us your reactions below.
