15 Awesome Billboard Music Award Performances

Like the Billboard charts themselves, the Billboard Music Awards have a history of celebrating a diverse cross-section of the music landscape. From the girl-powered punch of Beyoncé’s “Run the World” to the pitch-black rock of Metallica's "Unforgiven II" to the seductive snap, crackle and pop of Britney Spears' "I'm a Slave 4 U," the ceremony has always collected music's biggest stars in one place and let their hits shine in front of millions.

That legacy will continue on ABC, May 19, 2013, when brings Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Migeul and Prince strut their chart-topping stuff on the Billboard Music Awards stage. But before that chapter is written, take a look back at 15 of the most memorable performances in the show’s history and tell us which ones you think were the real showstoppers.

Rihanna and Britney Spears (2011)

Soon after releasing her fifth studio album, Rihanna took to the stage and opened the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, enticing the crowd with a high-octane performance of one of her most controversial singles, “S&M.” Clad in white pleather, chains and little else, the seductress paraded around the stage, hands groping at her sides before being joined by Britney Spears, who donned a matching black bondage suit, complete with bunny ears. The pair even shared a smooch and had a pillow fight later in the set, making for one of the steamiest sets in BBMA history.

‘N Sync (2000)

‘N Sync's 2000 performance of their "No Strings Attached" hit "Just Got Paid" demonstrates everything you should fondly remember about the boy band era: colorful costume, elaborate set pieces, lock-step dance moves, and of course, the harmless pop harmonies. Watching Justin Timberlake and the rest of the guys shimmy in their pimp suits and play-fight with another group of dancers is a perfect snapshot of one of music’s most exciting eras.

Katy Perry (2012)

Katy Perry enjoyed five number one hits on her 2010 album "Teenage Dream," tying a record set by Michael Jackson. For her big year, Perry won the Spotlight Award at the 2012 BBMAs and treated the audience to a performance of her brand-new single "Wide Awake,” which she debuted on the show. You might say she was literally "falling from cloud nine" during this one!

Beyoncé (2011)

Before being honored with the Millennium Awardat the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, R&B superstar Beyoncé took to the stage for an empowering performance of “Run the World (Girls).” After a video montage featuring shout out from like-minded ladies like Michelle Obama, Barbra Streisand and Lady Gaga, Bey stunned the audience with a jaw-dropping incredible performance that featured an interactive video screen, 100 dancers and enough pyrotechnics to light up the Vegas skyline.

Metallica (1997)

After being introduced by Wayne Newton and Busta Rhymes, Metallica performed "The Unforgiven II" with a sense of calculated anger and hard-rock precision. Frontman James Hetfield led the slow build of the "Reload" highlight, and when drummer Lars Ulrich was finished pounding away, the crowd went wild.