BTS receives seven nominations for Billboard Music Awards

BTS is in the running for the 2022 Billboard Music Awards in six categories. [BILLBOARD]

BTS nabbed seven nominations for the Billboard Music Awards 2022 set to take place next month in Las Vegas.

The six categories BTS is in the running for are: Top Duo/Group, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Billboard Global (Excl. the U.S.) Artist, Top Selling Song and Top Rock Song. The band is a double finalist in the Top Selling Song category for its songs "Butter" (2021) and "Permission to Dance" (2021).

The recent number of nominations set BTS's new personal best for the most nominations at an awards ceremony. It is also the highest number of nominations that any group or duo has ever received in the Billboard Awards.

Other prominent artists with multiple nominations in the upcoming Billboard Music Awards are The Weeknd with 17 nods, Doja Cat with 14 nods and Justin Bieber, Ye and Olivia Rodrigo each with 13 nods.

The awards are based on a 12-month reporting period that tracks album and digital songs sales, radio airplay, streaming, touring and social engagement of artists. This year, the period translates to Billboard chart dates of April 10, 2021, through March 26, 2022.

"Butter" was released in May 2021 and topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 10 weeks in total, becoming the longest-reigning No. 1 song on the chart in 2021. It also recorded the most No. 1s by an Asian artist in Billboard history.

The band had also topped the Billboard Hot 100 with the songs "Permission to Dance" (2021) and "My Universe" (2021) with British rock band Coldplay instantly upon release.

BTS has been receiving nominations and awards in the annual Billboard Music Awards since 2017, becoming the first K-pop act to ever be nominated and win an award at Billboard Music Award. The band's first win was in the Top Social Artist category, an award that is voted on by fans.

Last year, the band received awards in four categories: Top Duo/Group, Top Social Artist, Top Selling Song and Top Song Sales Artist.

Billboard Music Awards 2022 will be held at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 15.

Billboard Music Awards is one of the three most prestigious music award ceremonies held annually in the United States, along with the American Music Awards and Grammy Awards. With over 60 award categories, the ceremony strives to honor the best artists of the year in various music genres.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]