Chris Willman Music WriterThe Weeknd is the leading nominee for the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, with his 16 nods putting him ahead of DaBaby, with 11, the late Pop Smoke, with 10, and country singer Gabby Barrett, who’s up for nine.Meghan Thee Stallion was the second most named female artist in Thursday morning’s announcement, coming in with seven nominations. Bad Bunny, Drake, the late Juice WRLD and Chris Brown also have seven chances this year.