AceShowbiz -

The 2016 Billboard Music Awards has officially begun. Britney Spears kicked off the festivity singing a medley of her hits, including "Work B***h", "Womanizer", "Slave 4 U" and "Toxic", while showing off her dance moves.

Brit will return to the stage later this night to receive the prestigious Millenium Award. But before then, The Weeknd collected the first trophy handed out during the telecast as he won the Billboard Top 100 Music Award over fellow nominees like Justin Bieber, Drake, Fetty Wap and Taylor Swift.

Receiving the award from presenters Heidi Klum and Michael Strahan, the R&B singer paid tribute to Prince in his speech. The legendary musician passed away at his Minnesota house last month.

Shawn Mendes was the next performer, tackling his hit "Stitches" while playing guitar amid the fake thunderstorm. Afterwards, Ashton Kutcher announced that the Top Hot 100 Song Award went to Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth's "See You Again". The "Furious 7" song bested other chart-toppers like The Weeknd's "Can't Feel My Face" and "The Hills", as well as Fetty Wap's "Trap Queen" and Adele's "Hello".

Following energetic performances of Fifth Harmony's "Work From Home" and Meghan Trainor's "No", Thomas Rhett took home the Top Country Song for his love song "Die a Happy Man".

The 2016 BBMAs is currently airing live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with Ciara and Ludacris as co-hosts. More winners will be unveiled and more acts will perform their hit singles as the ceremony unfolds.