American Music Awards


The American Music Awards is an annual American music awards show, generally held in the Fall, created by Dick Clark in 1973 for ABC when the network's contract to air the Grammy Awards expired. It is the first of the Big Three music award shows held annually. Until the 2005 edition, both the winners and the nominations were selected by members of the music industry, based on commercial performance, such as sales and airplay. Since the 2006 edition, winners have been determined by a poll of the public and fans, who can vote through the AMAs website. The award statuette is manufactured by New York firm Society Awards.

History and overview

Conception

The AMAs was created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammy Awards after the move of that year's show to Nashville, Tennessee led to CBS picking up the Grammy telecasts after its first two in 1971 and 1972 were broadcast on ABC. In 2014, American network Telemundo acquired the rights to produce a Spanish-language version of the American Music Awards and launched the Latin American Music Awards in 2015.
Until the 2005 edition, both the winners and the nominations were selected by members of the music industry, based on commercial performance, such as sales and airplay. Since the 2006 edition, winners have been determined by a poll of the public and fans, who can vote through the AMAs website, while nominations have remained based on sales, airplay, now including activity on social networks, and video viewing. Before 2010, had nominations based only on sales and airplay and nominated every work, even if old. The Grammys have nominations based on vote of the Academy and only nominate a work from their eligibility period that changes often.

Hosts

The first hosts for the first telecast of the AMAs were Helen Reddy, Roger Miller, and Smokey Robinson. Helen Reddy not only hosted the show but also became the first female artist to win an AMA for Favorite Pop/Rock Female artist. For the first decade or so, the AMAs had multiple hosts, each representing a genre of music. For instance, Glen Campbell would host the country portion, while other artists would co-host to represent their genre. In recent years, however, there has been one single host.
In 1991, Keenen Ivory Wayans became the first Hollywood actor to host the AMAs.
From its inception in 1973 until 2003, the AMAs have been held in mid- to late-January, but were moved to November beginning in 2003 so as not to further compete with other major awards shows and allows for ABC to have a well-rated awards show during November sweeps.
For the 2008 awards, Jimmy Kimmel hosted for the fourth consecutive year. In 2009–2012, there was no host for the first time in history. Instead, the AMAs followed the Grammys' lead in having various celebrities give introductions. However, rapper Pitbull hosted the 2013 ceremony and 2014 ceremony. Jennifer Lopez hosted the 2015 show. Gigi Hadid and Jay Pharoah hosted the 2016 show. Tracee Ellis Ross hosted the show in 2017 and 2018. Ciara hosted the 2019 show.
Between 2012 and 2014, as part of a marketing strategy for Samsung, the American Music Awards used the lock screen wallpaper of Samsung Galaxy smartphones rather than envelopes to reveal winners. A magnetic screen cover on each phone kept the wallpaper image with the winner's name secret until opened.
In August 2018, Dick Clark Productions announced a two-year sponsorship and content partnership with YouTube Music.

Ceremonies

Categories

Current award categories

Past award categories

Most wins

The record for most American Music Awards won is held by Taylor Swift, who has amassed twenty-nine awards. The record for most American Music Awards won by a male artist belongs to Michael Jackson, who has collected twenty-six awards. The record for most American Music Awards won by a group belongs to Alabama, who have collected twenty-three awards.
ArtistNumber of awards
Taylor Swift29
Michael Jackson26
Alabama23
Whitney Houston22
Kenny Rogers19
Garth Brooks17
Justin Bieber15
Reba McEntire15
Lionel Richie15
Carrie Underwood15
Rihanna13
Willie Nelson12
Janet Jackson11
Tim McGraw11
Stevie Wonder11
Mariah Carey10
Randy Travis10
Bruno Mars10

Most wins in a single ceremony

The record for the most American Music Awards won in a single year is held by Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, each with 8 awards to their credit.
The following list shows the artists with most wins in each category, adapted from the AMAs official website.

Award of Merit

The American Music Award of Merit has been awarded to thirty two artists, the latest being Sting.

International Artist Award of Excellence

The International Artist Award of Excellence is described as "an award which recognizes artists whose popularity and impact cross national boundaries and is only given when there is a deserving recipient who is worthy of recognition for their accomplishments" and has been awarded to seven artists:
The AMAs' producer Larry Klein stated: "The first-ever Icon Award was created to honor an artist whose body of work has made a profound influence over pop music on a global level."
At the 2014 award ceremony, the Dick Clark Award for Excellence was given for the first time. It was created to recognize "an artist who achieves a groundbreaking feat or creates a landmark work. It is to be bestowed upon someone whose spirit and excellence capture the visionary passion that Dick Clark himself incorporated into everything he did."
In 2000, the year Brooks won the award, the AMAs held a poll to elect the Artist of the Decade for each previous decade of the Rock & Roll era. According to some sources, the result of this poll is not counted in the total of AMAs won by these artists. The results were Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.
;Poll

American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Video

The American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Video was first awarded in 1984, but discontinued since 1988.
YearArtistVideoRef
1984
---
1984
Michael Jackson"Beat It"
1984
Billy Joel"Tell Her About It"
1984
Michael Jackson"Billie Jean"
1985
--
1985
Lionel Richie"Hello"
1985
Prince"When Doves Cry"
1985
Ray Parker Jr."Ghostbusters"
1986
--
1986
Huey Lewis and the News"The Power of Love"
1986
A-ha"Take On Me"
1986
Philip Bailey and Phil Collins"Easy Lover"
1987
--
1987
Lionel Richie"Dancing on the Ceiling"
1987
Belinda Carlisle"Mad About You"
1987
Janet Jackson"When I Think of You"
1987
Robert Palmer"I Didn't Mean to Turn You On"
1988
--
1988
Janet Jackson"When I Think of You"
1988
Peter Gabriel"Sledgehammer"
1988
Robert Palmer"I Didn't Mean to Turn You On"
---

American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Video Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Video Artist was first awarded in 1985, but discontinued since 1987.
YearArtistRef
1985
--
1985
Lionel Richie
1985
Bruce Springsteen
1985
Prince
1986
-
1986
Bruce Springsteen
1986
Huey Lewis
1986
Phil Collins
1987
-
1987
Billy Ocean
1987
Howard Jones
1987
Peter Gabriel
1987
Robert Palmer
--

American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Video Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Video Artist was first awarded in 1985, but discontinued since 1987.
YearArtistRef
1985
--
1985
Cyndi Lauper
1985
Laura Branigan
1985
Tina Turner
1986
-
1986
Pat Benatar
1986
Aretha Franklin
1986
Madonna
1987
-
1987
Madonna
1987
Belinda Carlisle
1987
Janet Jackson
1987
Whitney Houston
--

American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group Video Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group Video Artist was first awarded in 1985, but discontinued since 1987.
YearArtistRef
1985
--
1985
Huey Lewis and the News
1985
Culture Club
1985
Duran Duran
1986
-
1986
Wham!
1986
Eurythmics
1986
Tears for Fears
1987
-
1987
Huey Lewis and the News
1987
Culture Club
1987
Run-DMC
1987
Simple Minds
--

American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist was first awarded in 1989, but discontinued since 2003.
YearArtistRef
1989
--
1989
Tracy Chapman
1989
Rick Astley
1989
Taylor Dayne
1990
-
1990
Milli Vanilli
1990
Living Colour
1990
Traveling Wilburys
1991
-
1991
Vanilla Ice
1991
Mariah Carey
1991
Wilson Phillips
1992
-
1992
C+C Music Factory
1992
Boyz II Men
1992
Color Me Badd
1993
-
1993
Pearl Jam
1993
Arrested Development
1993
TLC
1994
-
1994
Stone Temple Pilots
1994
Blind Melon
1994
SWV
1995
-
1995
Ace of Base
1995
All-4-One
1995
Counting Crows
1996
-
1996
Hootie & the Blowfish
1996
Alanis Morissette
1996
Blues Traveler
1997
-
1997
Jewel
1997
Donna Lewis
1997
No Doubt
1998
-
1998
Spice Girls
1998
Matchbox Twenty
1998
The Wallflowers
1999
-
1999
NSYNC
1999
Natalie Imbruglia
1999
Third Eye Blind
2000
-
2000
Britney Spears
2000
Jennifer Lopez
2000
Kid Rock
2001
-
2001
3 Doors Down
2001
Jessica Simpson
2001
Macy Gray
2002
-
2002
Alicia Keys
2002
Lifehouse
2002
Nelly Furtado
2003
-
2003
Ashanti
2003
Kelly Clarkson
2003
Puddle of Mudd
--

American Music Award for Favorite Country Video

The American Music Award for Favorite Country Video was first awarded in 1984, but discontinued since 1988.
YearArtistVideoRef
1984
---
1984
Alabama"Dixieland Delight"
1984
Dolly Parton"Potential New Boyfriend"
1984
Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson"Pancho and Lefty"
1985
--
1985
Anne Murray"A Little Good News"
1985
The Statler Brothers"Elizabeth"
1985
Willie Nelson"Tougher Than Leather"
1986
--
1986
The Highwaymen"Highwayman"
1986
Alabama"40 Hour Week "
1986
Hank Williams Jr."All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight"
1987
--
1987
The Judds"Grandpa "
1987
Dwight Yoakam"Honky-Tonk Man"
1987
George Jones"Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes"
1987
Reba McEntire"Whoever's in New England"
1988
--
1988
Randy Travis"Forever and Ever, Amen"
1988
Hank Williams Jr."My Name Is Bocephus"
1988
Reba McEntire"What Am I Gonna Do About You"
---

American Music Award for Favorite Country Male Video Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Country Male Video Artist was first awarded in 1985, but discontinued since 1987.
YearArtistRef
1985
--
1985
Willie Nelson
1985
Hank Williams Jr.
1985
Waylon Jennings
1986
-
1986
Hank Williams Jr.
1986
Lee Greenwood
1986
Ricky Skaggs
1987
-
1987
George Jones
1987
Gary Morris
1987
George Strait
1987
Mel McDaniel
--

American Music Award for Favorite Country Female Video Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Country Female Video Artist was first awarded in 1985, but discontinued since 1987.
YearArtistRef
1985
--
1985
Anne Murray
1985
Charly McClain
1985
Gus Hardin
1986
-
1986
Crystal Gayle
1986
Anne Murray
1986
Janie Fricke
1987
-
1987
Reba McEntire
1987
Anne Murray
1987
Janie Fricke
1987
Marie Osmond
--

American Music Award for Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group Video Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group Video Artist was first awarded in 1985, but discontinued since 1987.
YearArtistRef
1985
--
1985
The Oak Ridge Boys
1985
The Statler Brothers
1985
Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams Jr.
1986
-
1986
The Highwaymen
1986
Alabama
1986
The Oak Ridge Boys
1987
-
1987
Alabama
1987
The Forester Sisters
1987
The Judds
1987
Sawyer Brown
--

American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Video

The American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Video was first awarded in 1984, but discontinued since 1988.
YearArtistVideoRef
1984
---
1984
Michael Jackson"Beat It"
1984
Donna Summer"She Works Hard for the Money"
1984
Michael Jackson"Billie Jean"
1985
--
1985
Lionel Richie"Hello"
1985
Prince"When Doves Cry"
1985
Ray Parker Jr."Ghostbusters"
1986
--
1986
Whitney Houston"Saving All My Love for You"
1986
Aretha Franklin"Freeway of Love"
1986
Ready for the World"Oh Sheila"
1987
--
1987
Whitney Houston"The Greatest Love of All"
1987
Billy Ocean"There'll Be Sad Songs "
1987
Janet Jackson"When I Think of You"
1987
Run-DMC"Walk This Way"
1988
--
1988
Janet Jackson"When I Think of You"
1988
Peter Gabriel"Sledgehammer"
1988
Robert Palmer"I Didn't Mean to Turn You On"
---

American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Video Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Video Artist was first awarded in 1985, but discontinued since 1987.
YearArtistRef
1985
--
1985
Lionel Richie
1985
Prince
1985
Ray Parker Jr.
1986
-
1986
Stevie Wonder
1986
Philip Bailey and Phil Collins
1986
Prince
1987
-
1987
Lionel Richie
1987
Billy Ocean
1987
James Brown
1987
Oran "Juice" Jones
--

American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Video Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Video Artist was first awarded in 1985, but discontinued since 1987.
YearArtistRef
1985
--
1985
Tina Turner
1985
Chaka Khan
1985
Sheila E.
1986
-
1986
Aretha Franklin
1986
Sade
1986
Whitney Houston
1987
-
1987
Janet Jackson
1987
Aretha Franklin
1987
Tina Turner
1987
Whitney Houston
--

American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group Video Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group Video Artist was first awarded in 1985, but discontinued since 1987.
YearArtistRef
1985
--
1985
The Pointer Sisters
1985
Kool & the Gang
1985
The Time
1986
-
1986
The Pointer Sisters
1986
Ashford & Simpson
1986
Kool & the Gang
1987
-
1987
Kool & the Gang
1987
Cameo
1987
The Jets
1987
Run-DMC
--

American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist was first awarded in 1989, but discontinued since 2003.
YearArtistRef
1989
--
1989
Al B. Sure!
1989
Karyn White
1989
Tony! Toni! Tone!
1990
-
1990
Milli Vanilli
1990
Babyface
1990
Soul II Soul
1991
-
1991
Bell Biv DeVoe
1991
Johnny Gill
1991
Lisa Stansfield
1992
-
1992
Boyz II Men
1992
Color Me Badd
1992
Hi-Five
1993
-
1993
Kris Kross
1993
Arrested Development
1993
Jodeci
1994
-
1994
Toni Braxton
1994
Silk
1994
SWV
1995
-
1995
All-4-One
1995
Aaliyah
1995
Warren G
1996
-
1996
Brandy Norwood
1996
Monica
1996
Soul for Real
1997
-
1997
D'Angelo
1997
Deborah Cox
1997
Tony Rich
1998
-
1998
Erykah Badu
1998
Dru Hill
1998
Sean Combs
1999
-
1999
Lauryn Hill
1999
LSG
1999
Next
2000
-
2000
Tyrese Gibson
2000
702
2000
Eve
2001
-
2001
Donell Jones
2001
Mary Mary
2001
Pink
2002
-
2002
Alicia Keys
2002
Blu Cantrell
2002
Musiq Soulchild
2003
-
2003
Ashanti
2003
B2K
2003
Nappy Roots
--

American Music Award for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist was first awarded in 1989, but discontinued since 1997.
YearArtistRef
1989
--
1989
Def Leppard
1989
Guns N' Roses
1989
Van Halen
1990
-
1990
Guns N' Roses
1990
Aerosmith
1990
Motley Crue
1991
-
1991
Aerosmith
1991
Motley Crue
1991
Poison
1992
-
1992
Guns N' Roses
1992
Metallica
1992
Van Halen
1993
-
1993
Metallica
1993
Def Leppard
1993
Red Hot Chili Peppers
1994
-
1994
Aerosmith
1994
Metallica
1994
Pearl Jam
1995
-
1995
Nirvana
1995
Pearl Jam
1995
Stone Temple Pilots
1996
-
1996
Pearl Jam
1996
Green Day
1996
Van Halen
1997
-
1997
Metallica
1997
The Smashing Pumpkins
1997
Stone Temple Pilots
--

American Music Award for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album

The American Music Award for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album was first awarded in 1989, but discontinued since 1992.
YearArtistAlbumRef
1989
---
1989
Def LeppardHysteria
1989
Guns N' RosesAppetite for Destruction
1989
Van HalenOU812
1990
--
1990
Guns N' RosesAppetite for Destruction
1990
Motley CrueDr. Feelgood
1990
Skid RowSkid Row
1991
--
1991
Motley CrueDr. Feelgood
1991
AerosmithPump
1991
PoisonFlesh & Blood
1992
--
1992
Van HalenFor Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
1992
Guns N' RosesUse Your Illusion I
1992
MetallicaMetallica
---

American Music Award for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist was first awarded in 1990, but discontinued since 1993.
YearArtistRef
1990
--
1990
Skid Row
1990
Warrant
1990
Winger
1991
-
1991
Slaughter
1991
Bruce Dickinson
1991
Don Dokken
1992
-
1992
FireHouse
1992
Alice in Chains
1992
Nirvana
1993
-
1993
Pearl Jam
1993
Mr. Big
1993
Ugly Kid Joe
--

American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop New Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop New Artist was first awarded in 1990, but discontinued since 1994.
YearArtistRef
1990
--
1990
Young MC
1990
Eazy-E
1990
Tone Loc
1991
-
1991
Vanilla Ice
1991
Candyman
1991
Digital Underground
1992
-
1992
Naughty by Nature
1992
DJ Quik
1992
Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
1993
-
1993
Kris Kross
1993
Arrested Development
1993
TLC
1994
-
1994
Dr. Dre
1994
Arrested Development
1994
Naughty by Nature
--

American Music Award for Favorite Dance Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Dance Artist was first awarded in 1990, but discontinued since 1992.
YearArtistRef
1990
--
1990
Paula Abdul
1990
Bobby Brown
1990
Janet Jackson
1991
-
1991
Janet Jackson
1991
Madonna
1991
Michel'le
1992
-
1992
C+C Music Factory
1992
Crystal Waters
1992
Madonna
--

American Music Award for Favorite Dance Song

The American Music Award for Favorite Dance Song was first awarded in 1990, but discontinued since 1992.
YearArtistSongRef
1990
---
1990
Janet Jackson"Miss You Much"
1990
Madonna"Like a Prayer"
1990
Soul II Soul"Back to Life "
1991
--
1991
Madonna"Vogue"
1991
En Vogue"Hold On"
1991
Snap!"The Power"
1992
--
1992
C+C Music Factory"Gonna Make You Sweat "
1992
Crystal Waters"Gypsy Woman"
1992
Mariah Carey"Someday"
---

American Music Award for Favorite Dance New Artist

The American Music Award for Favorite Dance New Artist was first awarded in 1990, but discontinued since 1992.
YearArtistRef
1990
--
1990
Tone Loc
1990
De La Soul
1990
Soul II Soul
1991
-
1991
Bell Biv DeVoe
1991
En Vogue
1991
Michel'le
1992
-
1992
C+C Music Factory
1992
Crystal Waters
1992
The KLF
--

Ratings