The following is a press release from Dick Clark Productions and ABC:
As the kick-off to this year’s highly anticipated “2018 American Music Awards,” chart-topping artists Kane Brown and Ella Mai, singer and American Music Award winner Normani and award winning singer/songwriter Bebe Rexha today announced the nominations LIVE from YouTube Space LA. The event was livestreamed on the official American Music Awards YouTube channel (YouTube.com/TheAMAs) and included a panel discussion about the nominations with the presenting talent and Billboard correspondent Chelsea Briggs. Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, the “2018 American Music Awards” will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 9 at 8:00pm ET on ABC.
Cardi B and Drake lead this year’s nominees, with eight possible wins for each. Ed Sheeran and Post Malone each earned six nominations. Camila Cabello, nominated five times this year, could win her first AMA as a solo artist.
The Artist of the Year nominees are Drake, Imagine Dragons, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift.
The American Music Awards, the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, is where music enthusiasts watch their favorite artists and pop culture icons come together to honor idols, newcomers and record-breakers in the contemporary music scene. From Pop and Rock, to Country, Hip Hop and beyond, this year’s show will celebrate some of the best moments in music with appearances by today’s brightest stars and live performances from the biggest names in the industry.
American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected on Billboard.com, including streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, social activity and touring. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound, and reflect the time period of September 15, 2017 through August 9, 2018. The American Music Awards winners are voted entirely by fans.
Voting opened today in all categories except New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card, Favorite Social Artist and Collaboration of the Year, which will all open on Monday, September 24.
For New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card, Favorite Social Artist and Collaboration of the Year, fans can vote for each award 100 times per day, per voting platform in one or both of the ways below. Fans can vote for all other awards once per day, per voting platform.
Posting a tweet on Twitter that includes the nominee’s name or Twitter handle, the category name and #AMAs within the tweet
2018 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS TOP NOMINATED ARTISTS CHART FACTS:
Camila Cabello
Five-time American Music Award nominee Camila Cabello had quite the amazing year. Not only did her debut solo album Camila bow at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, but it entered atop the chart the very same week that its massive lead single, “Havana,” featuring Young Thug, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Amazingly, it marked the first time a soloist topped both lists at the same with their first No. 1s on both charts since 2003. Cabello followed up “Havana” with a second hit from the album, “Never Be the Same,” which hit the top 10 in May. Both tracks also reached No. 1 on the Pop Songs airplay chart.
CardiB
First-time American Music Award nominee Cardi B made quite the impression in the past year. In October of 2017, her smash solo single “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making Cardi the first female rapper to top the list without the assistance of any other credited acts since 1998. Further, when Cardi hit No. 1 for a second time, in 2018, with “I Like It,” alongside Bad Bunny and J Balvin, she made history as the first female rapper with two Hot 100 No. 1s. Cardi’s debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy, also set records when it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart earlier in 2018. It earned the biggest on-demand audio streaming week ever for a debut studio album in the U.S., and the largest ever for an album by a woman, according to Nielsen Music.
Drake
Five-time American Music Award winner Drake comes into the 2018 AMAs with eight nominations, including Artist of the Year. And, what a year Drake has had. He notched his eighth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 albums chart with Scorpion, and set the all-time record for the largest on-demand audio streaming week ever for an album in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music. The same week Scorpion stung at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, Drake set a new record for the most concurrently charting songs in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, with seven. He beat the record previously held by The Beatles, set in 1964, when the Fab Four had five songs in the top 10 at the same time.
Khalid
Breakout R&B star Khalid comes into the 2018 American Music Awards with four nominations. He first started to make waves in mid-2016 courtesy of his single “Location,” which turned into a viral smash, ultimately reaching No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart. His debut album, American Teen, has spent 16 weeks at No. 1 on the R&B Albums chart, and has yet to leave the top five of the list after more than 75 weeks on the tally. The set launched another hit in “Young Dumb & Broke,” which racked up a whopping 11 weeks atop the Hot R&B Songs chart. Khalid continued to keep busy in 2018, debuting eight songs on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart, including the top 10 hit “Love Lies” with Khalid.
PostMalone
A six-time nominee at the 2018 AMAs, Post Malone has been untouchable in the last year, charting more than a dozen top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including his first two No. 1s: “Rockstar,” featuring 21 Savage, and “Psycho,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign. His second album, beerbongs & bentleys, gave the artist his first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, where it ruled for three weeks. Post Malone also made news in 2018 on the charts with his debut album, Stoney, broke a longevity record set by Michael Jackson. In August, Stoney spent its 77th week in the top 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, beating the record for the most weeks in the top 10 for an album that was previously held by Jackson’s Thriller, with 76 weeks in 1983 and 1984.
Bruno Mars
Eight-time American Music Award winner Bruno Mars has been a hits-making machine since his debut full-length album Doo-Wops & Hooligans in 2010. The current four-time nominee’s latest release, 24K Magic, continued his magic touch, as the album spent 40 weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart and launched a quartet of hit singles. Among them were the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 smash “That’s What I Like,” the album’s title track, and his breakout collaboration with Cardi B, “Finesse.” The latter spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot R&B Songs chart and has earned more than a half-billion on-demand streams in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music.
EdSheeran
American Music Award winner, and current six-time nominee Ed Sheeran had a rather “Perfect” year. He kicked off 2018 with a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Perfect,” thanks to a little help from a remix of the track guest-starring Beyoncé. “Perfect” proved to be so popular, it remained on the chart for over a full year. It was the second No. 1 on the Hot 100 for Sheeran, and both tunes came from his blockbuster album ÷ (Divide). After 79 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, the former No. 1 album has yet to depart the weekly top 40 of the list. Sheeran has also been tireless on the road, with his ongoing ÷ World Tour. The trek is scheduled to end in March 2019 after playing more than 200 shows and visiting six continents.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift — a 19-time American Music Award winner and current four-time nominee — closed out 2017 in grand fashion with the arrival of her record-breaking album reputation. The set sold 1.22 million copies in its first week in the U.S., making Swift the only artist to achieve four million-selling weeks in Nielsen Music history. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking her fifth leader on the tally, and launched the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Look What You Made Me Do,” as well as the No. 1 Pop Songs single “Delicate.” Swift’s massive reputation Stadium Tour, in support of the album, broke Swift’s own record as the highest-grossing U.S. tour ever by a woman, according to Billboard Boxscore.
YouTube Music is the presenting sponsor of the “2018 American Music Awards.”
The “2018 American Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Barry Adelman, Mark Bracco and Tracee Ellis Ross are Executive Producers. Larry Klein is Producer.
Below, please find the full list of nominations for the 2018 American Music Awards:
“2018 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS” NOMINEES
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Drake
Imagine Dragons
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE SAVOR CARD
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Khalid
Dua Lipa
XXXTentacion
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug, “Havana”
Post Malone featuring 21 Savage, “Rockstar”
Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B, “Finesse”
Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line, “Meant To Be”
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey, “The Middle”
TOUR OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé & JAY-Z
Bruno Mars
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
U2
FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug, “Havana”
Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Drake, “God’s Plan”
FAVORITE SOCIAL ARTIST
BTS
Cardi B
Ariana Grande
Demi Lovato
Shawn Mendes
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Drake
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Taylor Swift
FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK
Imagine Dragons
Maroon 5
Migos
FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK
Drake, “Scorpion”
Ed Sheeran, “÷ (Divide)”
Taylor Swift, “Reputation”
FAVORITE SONG- POP/ROCK
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug, “Havana”
Drake, “God’s Plan”
Ed Sheeran, “Perfect”
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Kane Brown
Luke Bryan
Thomas Rhett
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Kelsea Ballerini
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood
FAVORITE DUO or GROUP – COUNTRY
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LANCO
FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY
Kane Brown, “Kane Brown”
Luke Combs, “This One’s For You”
Thomas Rhett, “Life Changes”
FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY
Kane Brown, “Heaven”
Dan + Shay, “Tequila”
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line, “Meant To Be”
FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
Cardi B
Drake
Post Malone
FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP
Drake, “Scorpion”
Lil Uzi Vert, “Luv Is Rage 2”
Post Malone, “Beerbongs & Bentleys”
FAVORITE SONG – RAP/HIP-HOP
Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Drake, “God’s Plan”
Post Malone featuring 21 Savage, “Rockstar”
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Khalid
Bruno Mars
The Weeknd
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Ella Mai
Rihanna
SZA
FAVORITE SONG – SOUL/R&B
Khalid, “Young Dumb & Broke”
Ella Mai, “Boo’d Up”
Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B, “Finesse”
FAVORITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK
Imagine Dragons
Panic! At The Disco
Portugal. The Man
FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Shawn Mendes
P!NK
Ed Sheeran
FAVORITE ARTIST – LATIN
J Balvin
Daddy Yankee
Ozuna
FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Lauren Daigle
MercyMe
Zach Williams
FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
The Chainsmokers
Marshmello
Zedd
FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK
“Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By”
“The Greatest Showman”
“The Fate of the Furious: The Album”
For the latest American Music Awards news, exclusive content and more, be sure to follow the AMAs on social and join the conversation by using the official hashtag for the show, #AMAs.
About the American Music Awards
The American Music Awards, the world’s largest fan-voted award show, features performances from today’s hottest artists and presents fan-voted awards in the music genres of Pop/Rock, Alternative Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Inspirational, Latin, EDM and Soundtrack, and the categories of Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card, Collaboration of the Year, Tour of The Year and Favorite Music Video. The American Music Awards pays tribute to today’s most influential and iconic artists. The show is produced by dick clark productions and is seen in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. For more information, visit www.theamas.com, www.dickclark.com or abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards.
About dick clark productions
dick clark productions (dcp) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” and the “Streamy Awards.” Weekly television programming includes “So You Think You Can Dance” from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with over 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. dcp is a division of Valence Media, a diversified media company with divisions and strategic investments in premium television, wide release film, specialty film, live events and digital media. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.
About YouTube Music
YouTube Music is a completely reimagined streaming music service with music videos, official albums, singles, remixes, live performances, covers and hard-to-find music you can only get on YouTube. It’s ALL here! YouTube Music serves music based on your tastes and what’s moving the community around you. Discover something new or keep up with what’s trending. Basic functions such as playing music and watching videos are totally free, but you can upgrade to YouTube Music Premium to explore the world of music ad-free, offline, and with the screen locked. Available on mobile and desktop. For additional information, visit www.youtube.com/musicpremium.
SHOW MEDIA CREDENTIALS
To apply for media credentials to cover the “2018 American Music Awards” please go to here. Submissions for credentials will stay open until 6pm PT on Friday, September 21, 2018.
NOMINATIONS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER (BY FIRST NAME):
21 Savage (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop
Ariana Grande (1): Favorite Social Artist
Bebe Rexha (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Song – Country
Beyoncé (1): Tour of the Year
“Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By” (1): Favorite Soundtrack
Bruno Mars (4): Collaboration of the Year; Tour of the Year; Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B
BTS (1): Favorite Social Artist
Camila Cabello (5): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock
Cardi B (8): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B; Favorite Social Artist
Carrie Underwood (1): Favorite Female Artist – Country
Daddy Yankee (1): Favorite Artist – Latin
Dan + Shay (2): Favorite Duo or Group – Country; Favorite Song – Country
Demi Lovato (1): Favorite Social Artist
Drake (8): Artist of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Album – Pop/Rock; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop
Dua Lipa (1): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card
Ed Sheeran (6): Artist of the Year; Tour of the Year; Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Album – Pop/Rock; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary
Ella Mai (2): Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B
Florida Georgia Line (3): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Duo or Group – Country; Favorite Song – Country
Grey (1): Collaboration of the Year
Imagine Dragons (3): Artist of the Year; Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock
JAY-Z (1): Tour of the Year
J Balvin (1): Favorite Artist – Latin
Kane Brown (3): Favorite Male Artist – Country; Favorite Album – Country; Favorite Song – Country
Kelsea Ballerini (1): Favorite Female Artist – Country
Khalid (4): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Album – Soul/R&B; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B
LANCO (1): Favorite Duo or Group – Country
Lauren Daigle (1): Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational
Lil Uzi Vert (1): Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop
Luke Bryan (1): Favorite Male Artist – Country
Luke Combs (1): Favorite Album – Country
Maren Morris (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Female Artist – Country
Maroon 5 (1): Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock
Marshmello (1): Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
MercyMe (1): Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational
Migos (1): Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock
Ozuna (1): Favorite Artist – Latin
Panic! At The Disco (1): Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock
P!NK (1): Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary
Portugal. The Man (1): Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock
Post Malone (6): Artist of the Year; Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop
Rihanna (1): Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B
Shawn Mendes (2): Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary; Favorite Social Artist
SZA (2): Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Album – Soul/R&B
Taylor Swift (4): Artist of the Year; Tour of the Year; Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Album – Pop/Rock
The Chainsmokers (1): Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
“The Fate of the Furious: The Album” (1): Favorite Soundtrack
“The Greatest Showman” (1): Favorite Soundtrack
The Weeknd (1): Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B
Thomas Rhett (2): Favorite Male Artist – Country; Favorite Album – Country
U2 (1): Tour of the Year
XXXTENTACION (2): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Favorite Album – Soul/R&B
Young Thug (3): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock
Zach Williams (1): Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational
Zedd (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
NOMINATIONS BY NUMERICAL ORDER:
Cardi B (8): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B; Favorite Social Artist
Drake (8): Artist of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Album – Pop/Rock; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop
Ed Sheeran (6): Artist of the Year; Tour of the Year; Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Album – Pop/Rock; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary
Post Malone (6): Artist of the Year; Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop
Camila Cabello (5): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock
Bruno Mars (4): Collaboration of the Year; Tour of the Year; Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B
Khalid (4): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Album – Soul/R&B; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B
Taylor Swift (4): Artist of the Year; Tour of the Year; Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Album – Pop/Rock
Florida Georgia Line (3): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Duo or Group – Country; Favorite Song – Country
Imagine Dragons (3): Artist of the Year; Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock
Kane Brown (3): Favorite Male Artist – Country; Favorite Album – Country; Favorite Song – Country
Young Thug (3): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock
21 Savage (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop
Bebe Rexha (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Song – Country
Dan + Shay (2): Favorite Duo or Group – Country; Favorite Song – Country
Ella Mai (2): Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B
Maren Morris (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Female Artist – Country
Shawn Mendes (2): Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary; Favorite Social Artist
SZA (2): Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Album – Soul/R&B
Thomas Rhett (2): Favorite Male Artist – Country; Favorite Album – Country
XXXTENTACION (2): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Favorite Album – Soul/R&B
Zedd (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
Ariana Grande (1): Favorite Social Artist
Beyoncé (1): Tour of the Year
“Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By” (1): Favorite Soundtrack
BTS (1): Favorite Social Artist
Carrie Underwood (1): Favorite Female Artist – Country
Daddy Yankee (1): Favorite Artist – Latin
Demi Lovato (1): Favorite Social Artist
Dua Lipa (1): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card
Grey (1): Collaboration of the Year
JAY-Z (1): Tour of the Year
J Balvin (1): Favorite Artist – Latin
Kelsea Ballerini (1): Favorite Female Artist – Country
LANCO (1): Favorite Duo or Group – Country
Lauren Daigle (1): Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational
Lil Uzi Vert (1): Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop
Luke Bryan (1): Favorite Male Artist – Country
Luke Combs (1): Favorite Album – Country
Maroon 5 (1): Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock
Marshmello (1): Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
MercyMe (1): Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational
Migos (1): Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock
Ozuna (1): Favorite Artist – Latin
Panic! At The Disco (1): Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock
P!NK (1): Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary
Portugal. The Man (1): Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock
Rihanna (1): Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B
The Chainsmokers (1): Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
“The Fate of the Furious: The Album” (1): Favorite Soundtrack
“The Greatest Showman” (1): Favorite Soundtrack
The Weeknd (1): Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B
U2 (1): Tour of the Year
Zach Williams (1): Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational
2018 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEE STATISTICS
2018 NOMINATIONS FAST FACTS
ALL-TIME RECORD HOLDERS BY CATEGORY
TOP 10 AMA WINNERS OF ALL TIME (1974–2017)
NOMINATIONS IN NUMERICAL ORDER
NOMINATIONS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
2018 NOMINATIONS FAST FACTS: “TAYLOR SWIFT COULD SURPASS WHITNEY HOUSTON’S RECORD FOR MOST AMA WINS BY A FEMALE ARTIST IF SHE TAKES HOME THE AWARD FOR 3 OUT OF THE 4 CATEGORIES SHE IS NOMINATED IN THIS YEAR”
Whitney Houston currently holds the record for most AMA wins by a female artist with 21 total wins, while Taylor Swift is right behind her with 19 wins. Should Taylor Swift take home just 3 of the 4 awards she is nominated for, she will surpass Whitney Houston as the record holder for most AMA wins by a female artist with 22 AMA wins.
“TAYLOR SWIFT COULD BREAK HER OWN RECORD FOR THE MOST WINS IN THE ARTIST OF THE YEAR CATEGORY IF SHE TAKES HOME THE BIGGEST AWARD OF THE NIGHT FOR A FOURTH TIME”
Taylor Swift is the current record holder for most wins in the Artist of the Year category with 3 wins (2009, 2011 and 2013). Should she take home the award again this year, she will break her own record and remain the titleholder in this category.
“FIRST-TIME AMA NOMINEE CARDI B IS THE MOST NOMINATED FEMALE ARTIST THIS YEAR WITH 8 NOMINATIONS”
Cardi B is not only a first-time AMA nominee, but is also the most nominated female artist this year with 8 total nominations in the following categories: New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card, Collaboration of the Year, Favorite Music Video, Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock, Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop, Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop, Favorite Song – Soul/R&B, Favorite Social Artist.
“WITH 19 TOTAL WINS AND 4 NOMINATIONS THIS YEAR, TAYLOR SWIFT COULD TIE THE RECORD (WITH ALABAMA – 23 WINS) FOR 2ND MOST AMA WINS OF ALL TIME; THE CURRENT RECORD HOLDER IS MICHAEL JACKSON WITH 24 WINS”
Michael Jackson is the current record holder for most AMA wins ever with 24 total wins, while Alabama is second with 23 wins. Should Taylor Swift take home all 4 of the awards she is nominated for, she will tie with Alabama.
“CAMILA CABELLO, NOMINATED 5 TIMES THIS YEAR, COULD WIN HER FIRST AMERICAN MUSIC AWARD AS A SOLO ARTIST”
Camila Cabello is nominated for New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card, Collaboration of the Year, Favorite Music Video, Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock and Favorite Song – Pop/Rock , and could take home her first award as a solo artist.
“FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, DRAKE & ED SHEERAN GO HEAD TO HEAD IN TWO CATEGORIES, ARTIST OF THE YEAR AND FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK”
Ed Sheeran was nominated for Artist of the Year in 2015 and 2017, and Drake has been nominated three times before in 2012, 2016 and 2017. They will face off again this year, for the second consecutive year in two categories: Artist of the Year and Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock.
ALL-TIME RECORD HOLDERS BY CATEGORY:ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift is the current record holder for most wins in the Artist of the Year category with 3 wins. It will be the first win in this category for nominees Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, Drake and Post Malone, should they take home the award this year. Ed Sheeran was nominated for Artist of the Year in 2015 and 2017, and Drake was nominated three times before in 2012, 2016 and 2017.
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
This year Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug are nominated for their hit collaboration “Havana”, alongside Post Malone & 21 Savage “Rockstar”, Bruno Mars & Cardi B“Finesse”, Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line “Meant To Be”, and Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey “The Middle”. Last year, Justin Bieber captured the title of most wins in this category when he took home the award for the international hit on which he’s featured, “Despacito.” He also won in 2015 for his “Where Are Ü Now” collaboration with Skrillex and Diplo.
TOUR OF THE YEAR
Introduced in 2016, Beyoncé was the first to win this award, followed by Coldplaytaking home the trophy in 2017. This year, Beyoncé could win this award for the second time for her tour, OTR II, with husband JAY-Z.
FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO
Lionel Richie holds the record for most wins (6) in the Favorite Music Video (previously known as Video of the Year) category. Camila Cabello & Young Thug,Cardi B and Drake are up for the award this year.
FAVORITE SOCIAL ARTIST
For the first year ever, the AMAs will be presenting the award for Favorite Social Artist. The nominees include Ariana Grande, BTS, Cardi B, Demi Lovato and Shawn Mendes.
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Barry Manilow, Eric Clapton and Michael Bolton are the current record holders for most wins in the Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock category with 3 wins each. This could be Ed Sheeran’s second win in this category, and Drake and Post Malone’s first win should they take home the award this year.
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Whitney Houston and Olivia Newton John are the current record holders for most wins in the Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock category with 4 wins each. This will be Taylor Swift’s third win in this category should she take home the award. First-time AMA nominees Camila Cabello and Cardi B are nominated for the first time in this category.
FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK
One Direction, Aerosmith and Black Eyed Peas lead with 3 wins each in the Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock category. If Maroon 5 win this year, it will be their third award in this category, making it a four-way tie. Should Imagine Dragons win, it will be their second award in this category, and Migos’ first ever AMA win.
FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK
Michael Jackson and Justin Bieber are the current record holders for most wins in the Favorite Album – Pop/Rock category with 3 wins each. This year, Drake, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift are nominated in this category. This would be Taylor Swift’s second win in this category should she win this year.
FAVORITE SONG – POP/ROCK
Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men and Lionel Richie are tied for the most wins in this category with 2 each. This will be Camila Cabello (“Havana”), Drake (“God’s Plan”) and Ed Sheeran’s (“Perfect”) first win in this category.
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Garth Brooks is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Male Artist – Country category with 8 wins. This would be Luke Bryan’s fifth time taking home the award in this category should he win. This would be the first win for Thomas Rhett and Kane Brown.
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Reba McEntire is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Female Artist – Country category with 11 wins. With 5 wins in this category under her belt, Carrie Underwood could win her sixth award. Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris could win their first AMA ever this year if they win in this category.
FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – COUNTRY
Alabama is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Duo or Group – Country category with 17 wins. Florida Georgia Line could win for a fourth time in this category, and Dan + Shay or LANCO could win their first, should they take home the award this year.
FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY
Kenny Rogers and Carrie Underwood are tied for most wins in the Favorite Album – Country category with 5 wins each. This year could mark Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett’s first ever win in this category.
FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY
Kenny Rogers leads in this category with 5 all-time wins. Nominees Kane Brown, Dan + Shay or Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line could take home their first win ever in this category.
FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
Nicki Minaj, M.C. Hammer and Eminem are the current record holders for most wins in the Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop category with 3 wins each. Drake could tie with them if he wins the category this year. Fellow 2018 nominees include Cardi Band Post Malone.
FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP
Nicki Minaj is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop category with 3 wins. This will be Drake’s second win and Lil Uzi Vert’s and Post Malone’s first win in this category should they take home the award at the “2018 American Music Awards.”
FAVORITE SONG – RAP/HIP-HOP
Drake received the first ever win in this category when it was introduced in 2016 for his hit, “Hotline Bling,”. He is currently tied for most wins in this category with DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper & Lil Wayne for their song, “I’m The One”. Drake could become the record holder in this category with 2 wins should he take home the trophy this year for his song “God’s Plan.” Fellow 2018 nominees include Cardi B (“Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”) and Post Malone (“Rockstar” feat. 21 Savage).
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Luther Vandross is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B category with 7 wins. The Weeknd and Bruno Mars could win their second award in this category this year, while it would be Khalid’s first.
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Rihanna is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B category with 6, and could make it 7 if she takes home the trophy this year. Newcomers SZA and Ella Mai could win their first AMA ever should they win this category.
FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B
Michael Jackson leads the Favorite Album – Soul/R&B category with 4 all-time wins. This year’s newcomers, Khalid, SZA and XXXTENTACION are all first-time nominees in this category.
FAVORITE SONG – SOUL/R&B
Michael Jackson holds the record for most wins (3) in this category. 2018 nominees Khalid (“Young, Dumb & Broke”) and Bruno Mars & Cardi B (“Finesse”) are nominated again in this category for the second year in a row, while newcomer Ella Mai (“Boo’d Up”) is a first-time nominee in this category.
FAVORITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK
Linkin Park is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock category with 6 wins. Fellow nominees Imagine Dragons could win their third award in this category, and Panic! At The Disco could win their first AMA ever should they take home the award this year.
FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Celine Dion holds the record for most wins in the Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary category with 4 wins. Nominee Shawn Mendes could win his second AMA in this category should he take home the award this year, and it would be P!NK’s first AMA win ever.
FAVORITE ARTIST – LATIN
Enrique Iglesias is the current record holder for the Favorite Artist – Latin category with 8 wins. Daddy Yankee could win his third AMA should he win this category, and Ozuna and J Balvin could win their first ever AMA.
FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Casting Crowns is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational category with 4 wins. Other nominees in this category – MercyMe could win their third AMA, Lauren Daigle could win her second AMA, and Zach Williams could win his first AMA ever this year.
FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
Calvin Harris and The Chainsmokers are tied for the most wins in the Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM) category with 2 wins each. Should The Chainsmokers win this year, they will surpass Calvin Harris for most wins ever in this category. The duo won in this category two consecutive years (2016 and 2017). This would be Zedd’s first ever AMA win should he take home the trophy in this category.
FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK
Whitney Houston won 3 awards for “The Bodyguard” soundtrack in 1994 in the Adult Contemporary, Pop/Rock and Soul/R&B categories. This year, “Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By,” “The Greatest Showman” and “The Fate of the Furious: The Album” are up for the award.
TOP 10 AMA WINNERS OF ALL TIME (1974–2017):1. Michael Jackson – 24 wins total, the most AMA wins of any artist in history; Leads the Favorite Album – Pop/Rock category with 3 wins; Leads the Favorite Album – Soul/R&B category with 4 wins; Leads the Favorite Single – Soul/R&B category with 3 wins; Won Artist of the Century in 2002
2. Alabama – 23 wins total; Leads the Favorite Duo or Group – Country category with 17 wins, 14 of which are consecutive from 1983-1996
3. Whitney Houston – 21 wins total, the most AMA wins of any female artist in history
4. Taylor Swift – 19 wins total; Leads the Artist of the Year category with 3 wins; Won Dick Clark Award for Excellence in 2014
Kenny Rogers – 19 wins total; Leads the Favorite Album – Country category with 5 wins and the Favorite Single – Country category, also with 5 wins
5. Garth Brooks – 17 wins total; Leads the Favorite Male Artist – Country category with 8 wins, 6 of which are consecutive from 1992-1997; Won Artist of the Decade in 2000
6. Reba McEntire – 15 wins total; Leads the Favorite Female Artist – Country category with 11 wins, 9 of which are consecutive from 1988-1996; Reba McEntire, Lionel Richie and Justin Bieber tie as record holders with 15 wins each
Lionel Richie – 15 wins total; Lionel Richie, Reba McEntire and Justin Bieber tie as record holders with 15 wins each
Justin Bieber – 15 wins total; 3 wins for Favorite Album – Pop/Rock (2010, 2012, 2016); Justin Bieber, Reba McEntire and Lionel Richie tie as record holders with 15 wins each
7. Rihanna – 12 wins total; Won the Icon Award in 2013; Leads the Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B category with 6 wins
Willie Nelson – 12 wins total; Won the Award of Appreciation: Farm-Aid in 1986 and Award of Merit in 1989 Carrie Underwood – 12 wins total; 5 wins for Favorite Female Artist – Country (2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
8. Janet Jackson – 11 wins total; Won the Award of Merit in 2001; Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Tim McGraw tie as record holders with 11 wins each
Stevie Wonder – 11 wins total; Won the Award of Merit in 1982; Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson and Tim McGraw tie as record holders with 11 wins each
Tim McGraw – 11 wins total; 6 wins for Favorite Male Artist – Country (2001, 2002, 2003 (x2), 2005, 2007); Tim McGraw, Janet Jackson and Stevie Wonder tie as record holders with 11 wins each
9. Mariah Carey – 10 wins total; Received an Award of Achievement in 2000, and one in 2008 for becoming the solo artist with the most number one hits of all time
Randy Travis – 10 wins total; Won Favorite Male Artist – Country three years in a row (1988, 1989, 1990)
10. Olivia Newton-John – 9 wins total; Shares the record for most wins (4) in the Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock category with Whitney Houston Luther Vandross – 9 wins total; Leads the Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B category with 7 wins
Boyz II Men – 9 wins total; 4 wins for Favorite Duo or Group – Soul/R&B (1993, 1995, 1996, 1998)