Drake scoops record 13 gongs at Billboard Music Awards

Canadian rapper Drake has surpassed Adele's record for the most prizes in a single night at the Billboard Music Awards.

The singer won 13 awards - beating Adele's record by one - at a glittering ceremony in Las Vegas on Sunday.

He reached the milestone by scooping the award for best artist.

Drake was joined on stage by around a dozen people including the "love of my life" Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and his father.

Drake poses in the press room with his 13 awards. Credit: AP

He was handed the top prize by Prince Michael Jackson, the son of the late singer.

Accepting the award, he told the crowd: "I just want to say hold tight Adele because when a new ting drops you will crawl your way back to get the record back."

Adele set the former record at the 2012 awards when she won prizes including top artist, top female artist and top pop artist.

The winners of the top categories:

  • Top artist - Drake

  • Top male artist - Drake

  • Top female artist - Beyonce

  • Icon award - Cher

  • Top duo/group - Twenty One Pilots

  • Top Billboard 200 artist - Drake

  • Top Hot 100 artist - Drake

  • Top song sales artist - Drake

  • Top touring artist - Beyonce

  • Top R&B artist - Beyonce

  • Top rap artist - Drake

  • Top rock artist - Twenty One Pilots

  • Top dance/electronic artist - The Chainsmokers

  • Top billboard 200 Album - Drake, Views

  • Top R&B album - Beyonce, Lemonade

  • Top rap album - Drake, Views

  • Top rock album - Metallica, Hardwired...To Self Destruct

  • Top Hot 100 Song - The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, Closer

  • Top selling song - Justin Timberlake, Can't Stop The Feeling!