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South Korean band BTS has become the first Asian act to receive American Music Awards’ Artist of the Year twice, after first winning in 2021.
The AMA ceremony, held last night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, marked BTS’s first appearance at a major awards show in four years after the band took a hiatus in 2022 while its seven members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service. BTS returned this year with their new album, ‘Arirang’.
BTS won all three categories in which they were nominated, taking home Best Male K-pop Artist, Song of the Summer for ‘Swim’ and Artist of the Year – a category considered the ceremony’s top award and which saw the seven-piece triumph over Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, Harry Styles, and Lady Gaga.
Accepting the Artist of the Year award, BTS leader RM said, referring to their zealous fans the BTS ARMY: “We made it once again! Our biggest thanks and gratitude, as always, goes to the armies all over the world. You have stood by us for the past 13 years. It means even more to receive such a big award again after completing military service. Since this award was made by fans’ votes, I am even more grateful.”
Indeed, while nominees at the AMAs are selected based on commercial performance, winners are decided entirely by public ballot.
Scroll down for the full list of this year’s AMA winners.
Elsewhere, K-pop continued to dominate the ceremony with BTS’ label partners Katseye crowned New Artist of the Year, while K-Pop Demon Hunters had quite the night.
The song ‘Golden’, from Netflix’s animated hit film, was named Song of the Year, beating other favourites like Taylor Swift’s ‘The Fate of Ophelia’, Morgan Wallen’s ‘I’m the Problem’ and Alex Warren’s ‘Ordinary’.
KPop Demon Hunters also won Best Soundtrack, while ‘Golden’ picked up a second prize for Best Vocal Performance.
Here is the full list of last night’s winners:
- Artist of the Year: BTS
- New Artist of the Year: Katseye
- Album of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter – ‘Man’s Best Friend’
- Song of the Year: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – ‘Golden’
- Collaboration of the Year: PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – ‘Stateside’
- Social Song of the Year: Tyla – ‘Chanel’
- Best Music Video: Katseye – ‘Gnarly’
- Best Soundtrack: KPop Demon Hunters
- Tour of the Year: Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour
- Breakout Tour: Benson Boone – American Heart World Tour
- Breakthrough Album of the Year: Zara Larsson – ‘Midnight Sun’
- Best Throwback Song: Black Eyed Peas – ‘Rock That Body’
- Best Vocal Performance: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – ‘Golden’
- Song of the Summer: BTS – ‘Swim’
- Best Male Pop Artist: Justin Bieber
- Best Female Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
- Breakthrough Pop Artist: Katseye
- Best Pop Song: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – ‘Golden’
- Best Pop Album: Sabrina Carpenter – ‘Man’s Best Friend’
- Best Male Country Artist: Morgan Wallen
- Best Female Country Artist: Ella Langley
- Best Country Duo or Group: Zac Brown Band
- Breakthrough Country Artist: Sam Barber
- Best Country Song: Ella Langley – ‘Choosin’ Texas’
- Best Country Album: Megan Moroney – ‘Cloud 9’
- Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar
- Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Cardi B
- Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist: Monaleo
- Best Hip-Hop Song: Cardi B – ‘ErrTime’
- Best Hip-Hop Album: Cardi B – ‘Am I the Drama?’
- Best Male R&B Artist: Bruno Mars
- Best Female R&B Artist: SZA
- Breakthrough R&B Artist: Leon Thomas
- Best R&B Song: Bruno Mars – ‘I Just Might’
- Best R&B Album: Bruno Mars – ‘The Romantic’
- Best Male Latin Artist: Bad Bunny
- Best Female Latin Artist: Shakira
- Best Latin Duo or Group: Fuerza Regida
- Breakthrough Latin Artist: Kapo
- Best Latin Song: Bad Bunny – ‘NUEVAYoL’
- Best Latin Album: Karol G – ‘Tropicoqueta’
- Best Rock/Alternative Artist: Twenty One Pilots
- Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist: Sombr
- Best Rock/Alternative Song: Sombr– ‘Back to Friends’
- Best Rock/Alternative Album: Sombr – ‘I Barely Know Her’
- Best Dance/Electronic Artist: David Guetta
- Best Male K-Pop Artist: BTS
- Best Female K-Pop Artist: Twice
- Best Afrobeats Artist: Tyla
- Best Americana/Folk Artist: Noah Kahan