Hip hop reigns at the American Music Awards

Drake and Cardi B lead this year’s batch of nominees at the American Music Awards (AMAs) and once again, here is proof that rap is indeed the dominant music form of the present times. One of these days, I hope to come across a study about how rap and its later variants like hip hop, stormzy and others achieved enormous popularity and conquered the world.

That should be very interesting. But no need to rush the writing or the search. I am merely puzzled and curious. I never saw rap or hip hop rising up and winning against all other music types. But where music is concerned, I see no need for reasons. All that we have to do is listen and enjoy it as it comes and what we have now is a lot of hip hop tunes everywhere.

Back to the American Music Awards. A lot of people are apparently doing the same thing. This is why the rap and hip hop nominees are trailing everybody else at the AMAs. That is why Drake with his album Scorpion and single God’s Plan got eight nods and he is also up for Artist of the Year against Imagine Dragons, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. 

The controversial Cardi B also got eight nominations for her hit song Bodak Yellow and for Finesse, her collab with Bruno Mars. And she also has the chance to be named New Artist of the Year if she beats Camila Cabello, Khalid, Dua Lipa and the late XXXTentacion.

We will find out who the winners are on Oct. 9, when the American Music Awards night airs live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Do you think Nicki Minaj will drop by to perform or just to watch the proceedings and gloat if Cardi B loses? Having a hip hop wild cat in the house might even be more interesting than like what happened when Kanye West met up with Taylor Swift in the same awards night some years ago. 

And now here are this year’s American Music Awards nominees:

• Artist of the Year: Drake, Imagine Dragons, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift.

• New Artist of the Year: Camila Cabello; Cardi B; Khalid; Dua Lipa, XXXTentacion.

• Favorite Music Video: Camila Cabello, Havana; Cardi B, Bodak Yellow; Drake, God’s Plan.

• Tour of the Year: Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, U2.

• Collaboration of the Year:  Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug, Havana; Post Malone feat. 21 Savage, Rockstar; Bruno Mars and Cardi B, Finesse; Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line, Meant To Be; Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey, The Middle.

Pop Rock 

• Favorite Female Artist: Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Taylor Swift.

• Favorite Male Artist: Drake, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran.

• Favorite Duo or Group: Imagine Dragons, Maroon 5, Migos.

• Favorite Song: Camila Cabello, Havana; Drake, God’s Plan; Ed Sheeran, Perfect.

• Favorite Album: Drake, Scorpion; Ed Sheeran, Divide; Taylor Swift, Reputation.

Country

• Favorite Female Artist: Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Carrie Underwood.

• Favorite Male Artist: Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett.

• Favorite Duo or Group: Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Lanco.

• Favorite Song: Kane Brown, Heaven; Dan + Shay Tequila; Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line, Meant To Be.

• Favorite Album: Kane Brown, Kane Brown; Luke Combs, This One’s For You; Thomas Rhett, Life Changes.

Rap/ Hip Hop

• Favorite Artist: Cardi B, Drake, Post Malone.

• Favorite Song: Cardi B, Bodak Yellow; Drake, God’s Plan; Post Malone, Rockstar.

• Favorite Album: Drake, Scorpion; Lil Uzi Vert, Luv Is Rage 2; Post Malone, beerbongs & bentleys.

Soul/ R& B

• Favorite Male Artist: Khalid, Bruno Mars, The Weeknd.

• Favorite Female Artist: Ella Mai, Rihanna, SZA.

• Song: Khalid, Young Dumb & Broke; Ella Mai, Boo’d Up; Cardi B & Bruno Mars, Finesse.

• Album: Khalid, American Teen; SZA, CTRL; XXXTentacion, 17.

• Favorite Artist, Alternative Rock: Imagine Dragons, Panic! At The Disco, Portugal. The Man.

• Favorite Artist, Contemporary:  Shawn Mendes, Pink, Ed Sheeran.

• Favorite Soundtrack: Black Panther, The Greatest Showman, The Fate of the Furious.

• Favorite Artist, EDM: The Chainsmokers, Marshmello, Zedd

• Favorite Social Artists: BTS, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Shawn Mendes.

• Favorite Artist Contemporary Inspirational: Lauren Daigle, MercyMe, Zach Williams.

• Favorite Artist Latin: J. Balvin, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna.