The 51st edition of the American Music Awards (AMAs) is just around the corner—and once again, African music is front and center. Scheduled for Monday, May 26, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the event promises a night of powerful performances, major wins, and cultural moments that will have fans talking for weeks.
Among the key highlights is the Favourite Afrobeats Artist category, which returns for its third year and continues to reflect the genre’s unstoppable rise on the global stage. Nigerian superstars Wizkid, Rema, Tems, and Asake have all earned nominations, joined by South African breakout sensation Tyla.
With her Grammy win and string of chart-topping hits between 2023 and 2024, Tyla’s inclusion cements her status as one of the continent’s brightest international exports.
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This category, first introduced in 2022, was a groundbreaking addition to the AMAs lineup. Wizkid made history as its inaugural winner, marking a pivotal moment for Afrobeats and setting the tone for greater African representation in global music spaces.
Beyond Afrobeats, the 2025 AMAs is shaping up to be Kendrick Lamar’s night. The rapper leads the pack with an impressive 10 nominations, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for GNX, and Song of the Year for Not Like Us—a track that’s made waves amid his lyrical clash with fellow rapper Drake.
Lamar also dominates the Favourite Hip-Hop Song category, securing three out of five spots with “Like That” (featuring Future & Metro Boomin), “Not Like Us,” and “Luther” (featuring SZA).
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Post Malone isn’t far behind with eight nominations, while Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Shaboozey each landed seven. And of course, it wouldn’t be the AMAs without Taylor Swift—already the most awarded artist in the show’s history—who’s back in the spotlight with six nominations. Other major names in contention include Bruno Mars, SZA, and Lady Gaga.
This year’s show also brings fresh energy with the introduction of three new categories: Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Social Song of the Year—the latter recognizing the most viral and culturally impactful tracks across social media platforms.
Adding even more star power to the evening, Jennifer Lopez will host the event and return to the AMAs stage for the first time since 2015. She’s also set to perform, making this a full-circle moment for fans of the multi-talented actress and singer.
With a strong mix of global talent, genre-defining artists, and some healthy competition, the 2025 AMAs is shaping up to be one of the most exciting awards nights of the year. Whether you’re tuning in for the music, the fashion, or the history-making moments—this is one show you won’t want to miss.
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