Since I’m a huge fan of music, I thought I would pick my favorites for the AMAs. No scientific or logical method to this, just what I like. Sometimes I even contradict myself.
What I did notice is that many artists have multiple nominations, so if you favorite doesn’t win one category, don’t count them out.
I’m going to excuse myself from the country, latin and contemporary categories since I’m not knowledgeable by any stretch of the imagination.
Artist of the Year
Adele
Beyoncé
Justin Bieber
Drake
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
Carrie Underwood
The Weeknd
This choice was a given. Adele broke the record for most albums sold in a week, even with it not being on streaming services. She also did not disappoint with her follow up to 21, one of the biggest albums ever (no hyperbole here).
New Artist of the Year Un-Leashed By T-Mobile
Alessia Cara
The Chainsmokers
DNCE
Shawn Mendes
Zayn
This was a hard one to choose without thinking of personal preferences. I think “The Chainsmokers” have been pretty big, but Alessia Cara has been big since the release of her first single last summer, and honestly I just like her music more.
Collaboration of the Year
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla, “One Dance”
Fifth Harmony Featuring Ty Dolla $ign, “Work From Home”
Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work”
Meghan Trainor Featuring John Legend, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You”
I think out of all these songs, “One Dance” is the biggest song. My only hesitation is that it not really known for the other two people on the song, therefore somewhat canceling out the idea of a perceived collaboration. I feel like the problem could have been fixed with a music video.
Tour of the Year
Beyoncé
Madonna
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
I feel like this is a duh. When I think of live music in 2016, I immediately think of Beyonce dancing in the water to “Freedom.” This tour was so popular that her performances were the three biggest performances at this year award shows, BET, VMAs and CMAs.
Video of the Year
Justin Bieber, “Sorry”
Desiigner, “Panda”
Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work”
Honestly, I didn’t know that “Panda” had a video. I even though I like the “Purpose” album, I’ve never seen the “Sorry” video. I did go out of my way to watch both “Work” videos and enjoyed them, so that would be my choice.
Favorite Male Artist — Pop/Rock
Justin Bieber
Drake
The Weeknd
Chart wise, I feel like they all performed well. Drake streaming numbers for “Views” are insane. And Justin Bieber’s “Purpose” was his sixth number one album. But The Weeknd’s crossover project and tour was amazing.
Favorite Female Artist — Pop/Rock
Adele
Selena Gomez
Rihanna
Her album sold over 3 million in one week, and only one of the songs was available for streaming. It would have been insane 20 years ago, its downright unbelievable in present day.
Favorite Duo or Group — Pop/Rock
The Chainsmokers
DNCE
Twenty One Pilots
The Chainsmokers’ “Closer” was number one 12 consecutive weeks and “Don’t Let Me Down” was also a big song, however, I enjoy Twenty One Pilots’ “Heathens” more, and find it impressive that a song from a soundtrack (“Suicide Squad”) did so well.
Favorite Album — Pop/Rock
Adele, 25
Justin Bieber, Purpose
Drake, Views
Stated it before, but no one can mess with Adele. NO ONE.
Favorite Song — Pop/Rock
Adele, “Hello”
Justin Bieber, “Love Yourself”
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla, “One Dance”
Honestly, “One Dance” is just more fun of a song than these others.
Favorite Artist — Rap/Hip-Hop
Drake
Fetty Wap
Future
While I didn’t like “Views” I will still pick Drake as my favorite out of these.
Favorite Album — Rap/Hip-Hop
Drake, Views
Drake & Future, What A Time To Be Alive
Fetty Wap, Fetty Wap
I honestly don’t think that any of these albums are strong, but I liked a lot of Fetty Wap singles and I do think he should get some recognition this year.
Favorite Song — Rap/Hip-Hop
Desiigner, “Panda”
Drake, “Hotline Bling”
Fetty Wap, “679”
I actually like the “Father Stretch My Arms Pt. 2” more than “Panda.” “679” is more fun than “Hotline Bling,” which to me is kind of a depressing song.
Favorite Male Artist — Soul/R&B
Chris Brown
Bryson Tiller
The Weeknd
All of the above. What kind of category is this they are all great! I can’t break my loyalty to any of them.
Favorite Female Artist — Soul/R&B
Beyoncé
Janet Jackson
Rihanna
I really should say Beyonce, I know. I like “Lemonade” a lot. But “Anti” has really grown on me.
Favorite Album — Soul/R&B
Beyoncé, Lemonade
Rihanna, Anti
Bryson Tiller, T R A P S O U L
I may be contradicting myself here, but I like story albums, and “Lemonade” told more of a story then these two. However, I will so that I listen to the latter two more often.
Favorite Song — Soul/R&B
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla, “One Dance”
Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work”
Bryson Tiller, “Don’t”
My favorite part is the nod to the Mariah Carey song “Shake It Off.” I feel like this was a great debut single, and I love how it was a Soundcloud song first.
Favorite Artist — Alternative Rock
Coldplay
Twenty One Pilots
X Ambassadors
Again, I like how this band has come up this year.
Favorite Artist — Adult Contemporary
Adele
Rachel Platten
Meghan Trainor
A bit confused why Meghan Trainor is considered “Adult Contemporary” but okay. Still goes to Adele.
Favorite Artist — Electronic Dance Music
The Chainsmokers
Calvin Harris
Major Lazer
When I think of Electronic Dance, I do think of Calvin Harris, but I would also have included Flume and Snakehips.
Top Soundtrack
Purple Rain
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Suicide Squad: The Album
Aww. R.I.P Prince. “Purple Rain” is a classic soundtrack and should definitely win. My favorite song of the soundtrack is “The Beautiful Ones.”
