Zach Bryan's coronation as country music's newest crossover star continued at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) on Sunday (Nov. 19), where he won four trophies. Among them was the prestigious all-genre Top New Artist prize, making him the first country act to win the award.
Bryan edged out fellow country artists Jelly Roll and Bailey Zimmerman as well as rapper Ice Spice and reggaeton artist Peso Pluma. Unlike most other music awards show results, the BBMAs' winners are determined by fans— through sales and streaming figures across the past year, not through votes cast in a set window.
Top New Artist has been awarded more years than not since 1994, when Swedish pop group Ace of Base took home the inaugural honor. Winners of note include Britney Spears (1999), Gwen Stefani (2005) and Olivia Rodrigo (2022). Billboard hasn't completely snubbed country newcomers, though, with Top New Country Artist getting awarded in previous years.
Bryan's other success on Sunday came outside of the country and all-genre categories. He was awarded Top Rock Artist, Top Rock Album (for American Heartbreak) and Top Rock Song (for "Something in the Orange") for his rock chart dominance over the past year. Bryan's Kacey Musgraves duet "I Remember Everything" was also in the running for Top Rock Song.
Other nominations for Bryan this year included Top Male Artist, Top Country Artist, Top Male Country Artist, Top Country Album (for American Heartbreak), Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top Hot 100 Songwriter and Top Hot 100 Producer.
Country musicians fared well at this year's BBMAs, with Morgan Wallen leading all acts with 11 overall wins, including Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist and Top Country Artist.
This year's BBMA results cap off an eventful 2023 across Billboard's charts for Wallen, Bryan, Luke Combs and other country stars.
