Mariah Carey will be honoured with the Icon Award at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.

The 'Hero' hitmaker will be bestowed with the prestigious accolade at the Kelly Clarkson-hosted ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 1, where she will also perform a medley of her greatest hits.

Mariah, 49, follows in the footsteps of last year's recipient Janet Jackson, and joins an elite group of legendary artists, including Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder, the late Prince, Cher and Celine Dion, in being named an Icon by Billboard.

A press release noted: ''The true definition of an icon, Carey has been smashing records since she debuted on the music scene in 1990 with her self-titled album.

''Over the next three decades she continued to rule the charts, creating anthems, and snapshots of pop culture history along the way.''

Cardi B leads the nominations this year with an impressive 21 nods.

The 'Please Me' rapper will compete against herself in three categories with 'I Like It' and Maroon 5 feature 'Girls Like You' up for Top 100 Song, Top Selling Song and Top Collaboration.

The 26-year-old star is also up for Top Artist, Top Rap Song for 'I Like It' and Top Rap Album for 'Invasion of Privacy, Top Female Artist and more.

Following closely behind is rappers Drake and Post Malone, who have 17 nominations each.

The pair will go head-to-head with Cardi, Ariana Grande and Travis Scott to be crowned Top Artist, whilst they also received nods for Top Male Artist, along with Travis, Ed Sheeran and the late hip-hop star XXXTENTACION, and Top Billboard 200 Artist.

The latter - who died in June 2018 - has received a total of 10 posthumous nominations, including Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Male Artist.

Lady GaGa and Bradley Cooper's 'A Star Is Born' soundtrack 'Shallow' has been nominated for the Billboard Chart Achievement Award, Top Selling Song and Top Soundtrack.

The 'Million Reasons' hitmaker is also up for Top Song Sales Artist.

Elsewhere, Dua Lipa, Ella Mai, Juice WRLD, Lil Baby and Bazzi have been shortlisted for Top New Artist.