Top Social Artist is one of the usual categories at Billboard Music Awards, however, it was missing at this year's award ceremony.
Keep on reading to know what could be the reason for its removal.
Here's Why Top Social Artist Isn't Included in 2022 Billboard Music Awards, According to News Outlet
On May 16, the Korean media outlet Star Today released an exclusive report focused on the Top Social Artist being removed from the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.
Top Social Artist is one of the three fan-voted categories in the said award show. The winner is determined based on major fan interactions with music including social engagement and streaming, along with the global online voting results.
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This category was only included in the Billboard Music Awards 2011, 21 years after the award ceremony began taking place (1990). However, it appeared to have been omitted this year as no nominees were announced, garnering lots of attention especially from ARMYs (BTS' fandom).
It's official: @BTS_twt is the Top Social Artist at the 2021 #BBMAs for the FIFTH year in a row! 🏆
— billboard (@billboard) May 24, 2021
See the complete list of winners (updating live) here: https://t.co/VGZGV8WkNe pic.twitter.com/zlqXGxjKPA
It is known that BTS has been winning the Top Social Artist award for five consecutive years from 2017 until 2021. Hence, ARMYs are puzzled as to why this category was removed this year.
According Star Today, they checked with a music industry official, and they confirmed that the 2022 Billboard Music Awards completely eliminated the Top Social Artist category.
The news outlet also said that the official reached out to Billboard but they received a response saying, "We will not give any comment."
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Since Billboard didn't address the matter, the reason for the deletion of the fan-voted category at this year's award ceremony is unknown. But the Korean media outlet reported that there's a discussion on the fact that BTS has won the award for several years, and this might have played a big role.
Currently, BTS is the hottest artist on global social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. In particular, the septet has maintained its position at No. 1 on Billboard's social charts for many years thanks to its global fandom ARMY.
Meanwhile, BTS won a total of three awards at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. They didn't attend the award ceremony due to conflict in schedule, specifically preparing a new album that is due out next month.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Tell us in the comments section below!
BTS' Albums, Songs Continue Their Run on Billboard Charts
In other news, several BTS albums and songs consistently secure spots on Billboard charts.
For the week ending on May 14, a total of six albums of the septet made it to the latest Billboard World Album chart. "BE" charted at No. 5, "Love Yourself: Her" at No. 6, "Love Yourself: Tear" at No. 7, "MAP OF THE SOUL: 7" at No. 8, "MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA" at No. 9, and "Love Yourself: Answer" at No. 12.
On the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, there are five BTS songs. "Butter" re-entered at No. 31, "My Universe" at No. 36, "Dynamite" at No. 42, "With You" at No. 71, and "Permission to Dance" at No. 93.
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The same songs made it to the latest Billboard Global 200, with "Butter" at No. 51, "My UnIverse" at No. 62, "Dynamite" at No. 65, "With You" at No. 109, and "Permission to Dance" at No. 186.
Moreover, PSY's collaboration song "That That" with BTS Suga debuted at No. 2 on Global Excl. U.S. and No. 5 on Global 200.
Finally, BTS ranked No. 39 on Billboard's Artist 100, spending their 291st week on the chart.
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Written by Maria Scott
