At some point, the American Music Awards are going to have to change their name to the North American Music Awards. Or, maybe the Canadian and American Music Awards. Even the Canmerican Music Awards. We’re not picky. For yet another year, a Canadian artist has topped the nominees list, with Drake earning eight nominations thanks to his huge 2018 album Scorpion.
Joining the Toronto native at the top of the nominees list is Cardi B, who also scored eight nominations this year. Cardi is up for New Artist of the Year, while Drake is competing for Artist of the Year. Both rappers will go head to head for Video of the Year and Favourite Song – Rap or Hip Hop for “Bodak Yellow” and “God’s Plan,” as well as Favourite Artist – Rap or Hip Hop.
Canadian artists Shawn Mendes and The Weeknd also earned nominations this year, with Mendes nominated for Favourite Artist – Adult Contemporary and Favourite Social Artist and The Weeknd earning a nod for Favourite Male Artist – Soul/R&B.
This year’s show will feature some stacked categories, including Favourite Male Artist – Pop/Rock with Drake and Post Malone taking on Ed Sheeran, who has previously won the category. Favourite Female Artist – Pop/Rock will also be a category to watch, with nominations for Cardi B, Taylor Swift and Swift’s tour opener, Camila Cabello. If Swift adds to her 19 AMA wins and takes home three of the four awards she’s up for this year, including Artist of the Year, Favourite Album – Pop/Rock, and Favourite Tour of the Year, she’ll beat Whitney Houston’s record for most wins by a female artist.
The late XXXTentation is up for two awards posthumously, with the 20-year-old rapper murdered in his home state of Florida in June.
Check out the full list of nominees below and watch the 2018 American Music Awards hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross on Tuesday, October 9 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Drake
Imagine Dragons
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Khalid
Dua Lipa
XXXTENTACION
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug, “Havana”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage, “Rockstar”
Bruno Mars & Cardi B, “Finesse”
Bebe Rexha & 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
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Camila Cabello ft. 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 ft. 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/HIPHOP
Cardi B
Drake
Post Malone
FAVORITE ALBUM — RAP/HIPHOP
Drake, Scorpion
Lil Uzi Vert, Luv Is Rage 2
Post Malone, beerbongs & bentleys
FAVORITE SONG — RAP/HIPHOP
Cardi B “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Drake “God’s Plan”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage “Rockstar”
