The Chainsmokers' Alex Pall and Drew Taggart Secure Six Billboard Award Nominations for May 2018

The nominations for the 2018 Billboard Music Awards were unveiled April 17, 2018. The Chainsmokers ended up with a hefty six nominations total, including Top Duo/Group, Top Dance/Electronic Artist, Top Dance/Electronic Song, Top Radio Song, Best Dance/Electronic Album, and Top Collaboration. They joined their fellow nominees in sharing appreciation with fans on social media.

Six wasn’t quite enough to take the title of the greatest number of nominations, however. Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar, and Bruno Mars are tied for that accolade, each with 15.

Khalid and Bebe Rexha announced the nominations on the Today Show and via a live YouTube stream. They shared their spontaneous reactions to their own nominations with the country. The Chainsmokers had to get their feels out in a tweet.

The winners will emerge at the Billboard Music Awards broadcast live from Las Vegas on Sunday, May 20, 2018.

The Chainsmokers Sweep the Dance Category

The Chainsmokers have grown to dominate the electronic music scene over last few years, as the number of their nominations shows. The Chainsmokers now hold the title of the most nominations of any electronic music artist or duo in the award show’s history.

Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart released their very first studio album, Memories…Do Not Open, in April of 2017 and have been a mainstay at virtually every big music festival since. They’re currently holding a residency in Las Vegas at the XS Nightclub and Encore Beach Resort with Wynn if you want to see them.

The Chainsmokers’ Billboard Award Nominations 2018

Top Duo/Group: The Chainsmokers, Coldplay, U2, Imagine Dragons, and Migos.

Top Dance/Electronic Artist: The Chainsmokers, Calvin Harris, Kygo, Marshmello, and ODESZA.

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,” and Zedd & Alessia Cara “Stay”.

Top Radio Songs: The Chainsmokers & Coldplay “Something Just Like This,” is up against the likes of Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran.

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,” and Post Malone ft. 21 Savage “Rockstar.”

Top Dance/Electronic Album: AVĨCI (01) by Avicii, Memories…Do Not Open by The Chainsmokers, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 by Calvin Harris, Stargazing by Kygo, and A Moment Apart by ODESZA.

See the full list of Billboard Music Award nominations.

The Chainsmokers Have Bittersweet Company in Top Dance Album Category

Shortly after Avicii’s nomination for Top Dance/Electronic Album, the tragic news of his death was in the media. The Chainsmokers paid tribute on Instagram and Twitter to the passing of their friend, colleague and, in their words, a hero.

Today is one of those days. A day where we lost a hero of ours, an inspiration and friend. We had the pleasure of playing many shows with Tim and he was a real hero of ours. Drew and I used to watch this exact video 6 years ago dreaming to be like him one day. His music brought us and the world so much joy. He was a remarkable artist and friend to so many. Words won’t do justice to how he changed music and so many of our lives. He was taken from us far to early. I am crying writing this because he meant so much to us… We looked up to him in ways we cant possibly explain. We made memories to his music and he helped us with our career in ways that we could never ever repay him. Please for the love of god let this be a reminder to never take those around you for granted, watch out for each other and cherish the time we all have. Our prayers go out to his family and friends, many of whom we know. Look at this video, look at the people all around the world, look at the joy and happiness he spread. There will never ever be another like him and for that reason we cry and will never forget. There are so many temptations around us, so many of us suffer quietly behind closed doors, putting up a facade of happiness and stability. Let this be a reminder that we all struggle with demons and that we need to be there for each other. Tim we love you man, what you did for us will never be forgotten. We posted this video cause it is a reminder of what this brilliant amazing guy did for all of us. He touched us all and now he is gone but a legend never dies.

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“A day where we lost a hero of ours, an inspiration and friend. There will never ever be another like him and for that reason we cry and will never forget. We posted this video cause it is a reminder of what this brilliant amazing guy did for all of us. And now he is gone.”

A Behind the Scenes Look at “Something Just Like This”

Collaborating with Chris Martin on “Something Just Like This” has earned The Chainsmokers countless award nominations and Best Collaboration Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Alex Pall and Drew Taggart talked about working on “Something Just Like This” when they appeared on The Project. They expressed how difficult it is for them to even believe it happened and it sounds like it almost didn’t.

After learning that Coldplay listened to The Chainsmokers to psych up before taking the stage at their own shows, the duo hoped they’d get a chance to work with frontman Chris Martin in some capacity.

The stars aligned in Malibu one evening and the three musicians got together to play with some tracks and see what stuck. After a long struggle they were ready to call it a night. Giving one more shot at getting something worthwhile, Drew called up the chords from “Something Just Like This.”

Martin was immediately on it and put the song down almost effortlessly.

The duo told to InStyle that Martin gave them some great advice when it comes to songwriting. He inspired them to think about the big picture and the story they want to share without worrying whether the message was ‘upbeat’ or not. The important thing is that it’s real.

They applied this approach to “Sick Boy” and the songs that followed and it certainly changed their sound. The new Chainsmokers’ songs are substantial, emotive, and even vulnerable.

Even though Alex Pall is quoted telling Howard Stern, “You cannot try to write a hit,” the producer/duo do seem to have the golden formula down.

Alex Pall Takes Time to Tease New Single, “Somebody”

Speaking of that golden formula, The Chainsmokers released a fourth single of the year shortly after the Billboard Award nominations rained down. They used social media to create a buzz before the song dropped, reminding everyone they can hear it first by following The Chainsmokers on Spotify.

Taking things a step further, Alex Pall shared the following post on his Instagram, showing off his musicality and the sense of humor he’s known for.

I’m weird and we also have a new song coming out tomorrow | @craig.nyc

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“Somebody” premiered with a video featuring animation by Molly Crabapple, and the internet went crazy as it usually does whenever the duo does absolutely anything.

Fans keep tweeting that they literally can’t stop listening to it, taking the song up the iTunes charts swiftly.

Is 2018 the Year of The Chainsmokers?

With the trickle of new music, the Wynn residency, and both Chainsmokers gaining recognition as more than two faceless entities behind the turntables, 2018 could be a huge year.

“We’re trying to get Doughnut Time to name a donut after us, so if that happens this year… [it could top the Grammy]. Don’t worry, Alex, there’s still time and you’re on a run.

Want more from The Chainsmokers? Read our last article here, and follow them on Instagram and Twitter!

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