The Weeknd has continued vindicating his Grammys criticism after picking up the night’s biggest gong at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles.

He picked up song of the year at the bash, for his viral smash Blinding Lights, which he closed out the SuperBowl half-time show with earlier in the year, as well as scooping male artist of the year.

The Canadian performer teased new music while accepting the prize, saying a “dawn is coming”.

He claims that he was snubbed by the Grammys earlier in the year after failing to receive a single nomination from the Recording Academy, but he has since won Brit and Billboard Awards, and has been nominated for a raft of others.

Elsewhere, Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift continued their awards gold rush by picking up female artist of the year and best pop album for Folklore, respectively.

Accepting the prize in a video message, Swift said: “I have to say thank you to the fans for making this album what it was because we all needed to escape into stories, whether it was movies or TV or film or music and the fact that you chose this album, I am so honoured by that.

“And you really wrapped your arms around it, the way that someday we’ll get to wrap our arms around each other when we see each other again, so I’m sending you the biggest hug.”

Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Rich and Foo Fighters were among the other winners at the in-person ceremony at LA’s Dolby Theatre, which was hosted by rapper Usher.

Elton John was honoured with the iHeartRadio icon award, which was announced on stage by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and in-demand rapper Lil Nas X, while Brandi Carlile, Demi Lovato and H.E.R all performed a medley of John’s tracks.

Picking up his new silverware, Sir Elton said: “It’s very touching and I’m very humbled because when I first came to Los Angeles in 1970, radio was so important, I’d never heard radio in America before because I’d never been here before. But it was just incredible to me.”

He also turned to Lil Nas X, who has been widely praised for his racy performance of his song Montero (Call Me By Your Name) on the latest Saturday Night Live, saying: “A special thanks to Lil Nas X, because he is a wonderful artist and has balls of steel.”

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