The American Music Awards have finally arrived and HC: San Francisco is here with our predictions! Scroll down to see the list of nominees and who we think will win.
Artist of the Year
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Drake
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Ed Sheeran
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Imagine Dragons
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Post Malone
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Taylor Swift
Our prediction: Drake
Why: A year full of top 10 hits and a number one album, we predict Drake will win AOY.
New Artist of the Year
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Camila Cabello
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Cardi B
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Dua Lipa
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Khalid
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XXXTentacion
Our prediction: Cardi B
Why: She has had six top 10 hits this past year and her album, Invasion of Privacy, went number one in the Billboard 200.
Collaboration of the Year
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“Havana”, Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug
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“Rockstar”, Post Malone ft. 21 Savage
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“Finesse (Remix)”, Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B
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“Meant to Be”, Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
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“The Middle”, Zedd, Maren Morris, & Grey
Our prediction: “Finesse (Remix)”
Why: This unlikely collab brought us back to the 90s with new jack swing inspired song and In Living Color inspired music video.
Tour of the Year
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Beyoncé & JAY-Z
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Bruno Mars
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Ed Sheeran
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Taylor Swift
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U2
Our prediction: Taylor Swift
Why: Reputation was already an album Swifties were anticipating it’s no wonder the Reputation Tour has broke record at various venues around the U.S. and it isn’t even over yet.
Video of the Year
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“Havana”, Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug
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“Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”, Cardi B
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“God’s Plan”, Drake
Our prediction: “Havana”
Why: The music video pays an homage to telenovelas, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, and Dirty Dancing. Did we also mention the music video features everyone’s current man crush, Noah Centineo?
Favorite Social Artist
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BTS
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Cardi B
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Ariana Grande
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Demi Lovato
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Shawn Mendes
Our prediction: BTS
Why: If you don’t know who BTS are, you’re living under a rock. The K-Pop group has the ARMY fandom going crazy with their killer choreography, style, and vocals. The group has the most supportive and loyal fandom on social media. The fandom presence online is so huge, it might be bigger than the One Direction fandom.
Favorite Male Artist- Pop/Rock
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Drake
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Post Malone
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Shawn Mendes
Our prediction: Shawn Mendes
Why: Move over Justin Bieber, there’s another Canadian heartthrob! Shawn Mendes risen to the top of the charts the past few years. His current self titled album includes songs: “In My Blood”, “Youth”, and “Lost in Japan.”
Favorite Female Artist- Pop/Rock
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Camila Cabello
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Cardi B
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Taylor Swift
Our prediction: Camila Cabello
Why: After leaving Fifth Harmony last year, Camila Cabello has proven she can make it as a solo artist. She has opened on tour for Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift. She also has embarked in her own tour called the Never Be the Same Tour.
Favorite Duo/Group- Pop/Rock
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Imagine Dragons
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Maroon 5
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Migos
Our prediction: Maroon 5
Why: The band has been collaborating with artists outside of their genre like SZA, Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, and Future. Will they bring out one of these featured artists at Super Bowl 53?
Favorite Album- Pop/Rock
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Scorpion, Drake
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Divide, Ed Sheeran
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reputation, Taylor Swift
Our prediction: reputation
Why: Another record breaking album with amazing music videos.
Favorite Song- Pop/Rock
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“Havana”, Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug
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“God’s Plan”, Drake
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“Perfect”, Ed Sheeran
Our prediction: “Havana”
Why: In a post “Despacito” world, Camila’s first single had the Latin vibes we were still craving.
Favorite Male Artist- Country
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Kane Brown
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Luke Bryan
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Thomas Rhett
Our prediction: Thomas Rhett
Why: Thomas Rhett is an upcoming artist who is making it big on the charts.
Favorite Female Artist- Country
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Kelsea Ballerini
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Maren Morris
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Carrie Underwood
Our prediction: Carrie Underwood
Why: Most popular female country artist is back with a new album and a new tour.
Favorite Duo/Group- Country
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Dan+Shay
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Florida Georgia Line
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LANCO
Our prediction: Florida Georgia Line
Why: The duo is popular both in the country and pop community and have been known to collab with artists from different genres.
Favorite Album- Country
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Kane Brown, Kane Brown
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This One’s For You, Luke Combs
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Life Changes, Thomas Rhett
Our prediction: Thomas Rhett
Why: Thomas Rhett’s father was a huge influence for the album, Life Changes. The songs on the album are down to earth and are about his personal life.
Favorite Song- Country
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“Heaven”, Kane Brown
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“Tequila”, Dan + Shay
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“Meant To Be”, Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
Our prediction: “Tequila”
Why: The song, “Tequila”, tells the story about heartbreak and will get you in the feels.
Favorite Artist- Rap/Hip Hop
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Cardi B
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Drake
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Post Malone
Our prediction: Cardi B
Why: This year, Cardi B has proven that she is the best of the best. A number one album, top 10 hits, a Coachella performance, co-hosting the tonight show…we can go on.
Favorite Album- Rap/Hip Hop
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Scorpion, Drake
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Luv is Rage 2, Lil Uzi Vert
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beerbongs & bentleys, Post Malone
Our prediction: Scorpion
Why: The most anticipated album of the summer broke the record for one billion streams, according to CNN.
Favorite Song- Rap/Hip Hop
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“Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”, Cardi B
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“God’s Plan”, Drake
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“Rockstar”, Post Malone ft. 21 Savage
Our prediction: “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Why: Bodak Yellow went number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The last female rapper to go number one was Lauryn Hill in 1998 for her song, “Doo Wop (That Thing.)”
Favorite Male Artist- Soul/R&B
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Khalid
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Bruno Mars
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The Weeknd
Our prediction: Bruno Mars
Why: Bruno Mars is a showman who doesn’t stop and keeps it going. He’s still touring for his 2016 album, 24K Magic, and has performed at music festivals this summer. His prime time TV special, Bruno Mars: 24K Magic Live At The Apollo, was nominated for an Emmy. He swept the Grammys, will he sweep the AMAs?
Favorite Female Artist- Soul/R&B
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Ella Mai
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Rihanna
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SZA
Our prediction: SZA
Why: SZA’s soulful vocals prove that she deserves to be favorite soul/R&B female artist.
Favorite Album- Soul/R&B
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American Teen, Khalid
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CTRL, SZA
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17, XXXTentacion
Our prediction: CTRL
Why: This album touched on different themes of love and relationships that put us all in the feels.
Favorite Song- Soul/R&B
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“Young Dumb & Broke”, Khalid
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“Boo’d Up”, Ella Mai
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“Finesse (Remix)”, Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B
Our prediction: “Finesse (Remix)”
Why: Cardi B’s rapping and Bruno’s smooth singing definitely got it goin’ in this 90s inspired song.
Favorite Artist- Alternative Rock
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Imagine Dragons
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Panic! At The Disco
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Portugal. The Man
Our prediction: Panic! At The Disco
Why: Panic! At The Disco is back with their new album, Pray For The Wicked.
Favorite Artist- Adult Contemporary
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Shawn Mendes
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P!NK
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Ed Sheeran
Our prediction: Shawn Mendes
Why: Shawn won Adult Contemporary last year; Will he win this category for a second year in a row?
Favorite Artist- Latin
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J Balvin
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Daddy Yankee
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Ozuna
Our prediction: Ozuna
Why: Ozuna has been collabing with artists outside of the reggaetón community.
Favorite Artist- Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
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The Chainsmokers
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Marshmello
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Zedd
Our prediction: Marshmello
Why: The DJ has been collabing with pop artists such as: Khalid, Logic, and Selena Gomez. Marshmello’s collabs are a perfect mix of EDM and Top 40 hits.
Favorite Soundtrack
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Black Panther: The Album, Music and Inspired By
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The Greatest Showman
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The Fate of the Furious: The Album
Our prediction: Black Panther: The Album, Music and Inspired By
Why: The blockbuster hit includes songs by: Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, Khalid, SOB X RBE…shall we go on?
The 2018 AMAs will be on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 5 PM P.T.