2017 American Music Awards: Predicting the Winners
The American Music Awards are fan-voted and based on chart success so they should be fairly easy to predict, let's get going! NOTE: After each artist's name will be a fraction denoting the amount of AMAs they've won out of their total amount of nominations not including nominations achieved this year.
Artist of the Year
Nominees: Drake (4/22), Ed Sheeran (1/5), Kendrick Lamar (0/2), The Chainsmokers (1/5), Bruno Mars (1/7)
Winner: Ed Sheeran
My money is on Ed here, he's had the biggest single of the year and one of the biggest albums. Bruno could pull an upset as he did open the show last year and has won before; Kendrick is the other upset possibility, he did when the biggest award at the VMAs this summer and he has had just as big a year as Ed has. Also, Ed simply has a fanbase that is more likely to vote than any of his fellow nominees.
New Artist of the Year
Nominees: Julia Michaels, Post Malone, Niall Horan, Rae Sremmurd, James Arthur
Winner: Niall Horan
There's no shock here, this is Niall's to lose. Julia will put up a good fight but will ultimately be no match for the power of the 1D fanbase. I do find it interesting that Khalid and SZA were snubbed here.
Collaboration of the Year
Nominees: Despacito (Remix), Don't Wanna Know, Closer, Starboy, I'm The One
Winner: Despacito (Remix)
The song literally made history and was ubiquitous throughout the year, it features AMAs favorite Justin Bieber, it would be a shock if it didn't win. Maroon 5 has won 3/10 of their AMAs nominations, and their nomination here for "Don't Wanna Know (feat. Kendrick Lamar)" is basically a thank you for debuting the song at the last awards show. The Chainsmoker's "Closer (feat. Halsey)" was big, but it's timing was off, it seems way too late to give this track any awards recognition. The Weeknd has won 2/8 of his career AMAs nominations, but his Daft Punk collaboration wasn't nearly big enough to win. Lastly, the credited artists on "I'm The One," DJ Khaled, Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne, Quavo, and Justin Bieber have won a combined 12/21 career nominations. All of those wins are courtesy of Bieber, I'll leave it there.
Pop/Rock Female Artist
Nominees: Rihanna (11/26), Alessia Cara (0/1), Lady Gaga (1/9)
Winner: Lady Gaga
My money is on Gaga for the win, she has a rabid online fanbase and performed here last year. Alessia Cara could pull off the upset, she had three huge hits in the eligibility period and is very likable.
Pop/Rock Male Artist
Nominees: Drake (4/22), Ed Sheeran (1/5), Bruno Mars (1/7)
Winner: Ed Sheeran
Usually, a nominee would win their genre category in order to win the final overall category, but last year Ariana Grande won Artist of the Year without being nominated in her genre category. That being said, it is highly possible Bruno takes this one home, but I'm still calling it a win for Ed.
Pop/Rock Duo or Group
Nominees: The Chainsmokers (1/4), Imagine Dragons (2/6), Coldplay (0/7)
Winner: The Chainsmokers
A Coldplay win is out of the question, period. The Chainsmokers will probably take this, but Imagine Dragons could pull off a surprise win because they have had more hits as of late.
Pop/Rock Album
Nominees: Drake (4/22), The Weeknd (2/8), Bruno Mars (1/7)
Winner: Bruno Mars
It's a lock. There is no way Bruno loses this one.
Pop/Rock Song
Nominees: Shape of You, Despacito (Remix), Closer (feat. Halsey)
Winner: Shape Of You
It'll be a race to the finish between Ed and Luis/Daddy Yankee/Bieber, but Ed will prevail in the end.
Country Female Artist
Nominees: Carrie Underwood (11/23), Maren Morris (0/0), Miranda Lambert (0/6)
Winner: Carrie Underwood
It's Carrie. It is always Carrie. Even though Miranda had the bigger year, it's always Carrie.
Country Male Artist
Nominees: Sam Hunt (1/3), Thomas Rhett (0/2), Keith Urban (1/3)
Winner: Sam Hunt
Sam had the big single, Thomas had the big album, Keith had the big tour and era, but Sam will prevail in the end. "Body Like A Backroad" is the type of smash song that comes once in a person's career, and it will bring Sam to the finish line.
Country Duo or Group
Nominees: Florida Georgia Line (5/9), Old Dominion (0/0), Little Big Town (0/1)
Winner: Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line will probably take this home but I would love to see the incredible Little Big Town take it home.
Country Album
Nominees: Ripcord; They Don't Know; From A Room, Vol. 1
Winner: Ripcord
No one is beating Ripcord, it was too huge. Next. Jason Aldean's They Don't Know won't win, his track record of 0 wins out of 9 nominations is awful. Chris Stapleton's stunning From A Room, Vol. 1 also won't win, he has 0 wins out of 1 prior nomination.
Country Song
Nominees: Body Like A Backroad, Blue Ain't Your Color, Dirt On Your Boots
Winner: Body Like A Backroad
There is absolutely no way "Body Like A Backroad" will lose this. Sorry, Keith and Jon!
Rap/Hip Hop Artist
Nominees: Drake (4/22), Migos (0/0), Kendrick Lamar (0/2)
Winner: Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick takes this one. He had the #1 single, the #1 album, and the #1 tour, no way he loses.
Rap/Hip Hop Album
Nominees: C U L T U R E, More Life, DAMN.
Winner: DAMN.
Again, Kendrick. Next.
Rap/Hip Hop Song
Nominees: I'm The One, Black Beatles, HUMBLE.
Winner: HUMBLE.
Again... Kendrick. Next.
Soul/R&B Female Artist
Nominees: Beyoncé (7/30 as a solo artist), Rihanna (11/26), Kehlani
Winner: Beyoncé or Rihanna
Kehlani isn't winning and it'll be a photo finish between Bey and Rih. It could go either way.
Soul/R&B Male Artist
Nominees: Bruno Mars (1/7), The Weeknd (2/8), Childish Gambino (0/0)
Winner: Bruno Mars
Basically, if Ed takes Pop Male, Bruno will win. If Bruno wins Pop Male, The Weeknd will take this.
Soul/R&B Album
Nominees: 24K Magic, Starboy, "Awaken, My Love!"
Winner: 24K Magic
If Bruno wins Pop Album, then The Weeknd will win, and vice versa.
Soul/R&B Song
Nominees: That's What I Like, Location, Starboy
Winner: That's What I Like
"Location" could possibly pull off an upset, but the smart money is on Bruno's "That's What I Like."
Alternative/Rock Artist
Nominees: Linkin Park (5/9), twenty one pilots (2/3), Imagine Dragons (2/6)
Winner: twenty one pilots
All of these artists could take this. Linkin Park could win as a tribute to Chester Bennington, twenty one pilots won this award last year, Imagine Dragons had the biggest year out of the three nominees. I put my money on twenty one pilots.
EDM Artist
Nominees: The Chainsmokers (1/5), Calvin Harris (2/5), DJ Snake (0/0)
Winner: The Chainsmokers
Snooze, next.
Soundtrack Album
Nominees: Moana; Trolls; Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol.2
Winner: Moana
Moana will take this home; it had the big inspirational song to take it home. Trolls had "Can't Stop The Feeling!" and Guardians has the name but they will be no match for Moana.
Video of the Year
Nominees: Despacito (Remix), Shape of You, That's What I Like
Winner: Despacito (Remix)
Despacito is the most watched video on YouTube of all time, case closed.
Tour of the Year
Nominees: Coldplay (0/7), Garth Brooks (16/30), U2 (1/8)
Winner: Coldplay
Three touring legends, one winner. I think Coldplay takes this, they have the relatively younger fanbase and the largest revenue within the eligibility period.