The 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs), held on May 26 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas and hosted by Jennifer Lopez, celebrated a diverse array of musical talents. Billie Eilish emerged as the night’s biggest winner, securing seven awards, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Hit Me Hard and Soft, and Song of the Year for “Birds of a Feather”.
Jennifer Lopez returned to host the AMAs for the first time in a decade, opening the evening with a dance medley of 23 of the biggest hits from the past year.
Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the show highlighted a diverse array of voices dominating today’s music charts — with Billie Eilish walking away as the night’s biggest winner, claiming seven trophies, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.
But it was Black excellence that surged throughout the night, affirming once again that the soul of popular music remains rooted in Black creativity, resilience, and rhythm.
Complete Winners List
Artist of the Year: Billie Eilish
New Artist of the Year: Gracie Abrams
Album of the Year: Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish
Song of the Year: Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish
Collaboration of the Year: Die With a Smile – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
Favorite Music Video: Die With a Smile – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
Favorite Female Pop Artist: Billie Eilish
Favorite Pop Album: Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish
Favorite Pop Song: Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish
Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist: Eminem
Favorite Hip-Hop Album: The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) – Eminem
Favorite Female Country Artist: Beyoncé
Favorite Country Album: Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
Favorite Afrobeats Artist: Tyla
Global and Black Excellence
The 2025 AMAs underscored the influence of Black artists and global sounds in contemporary music. Beyoncé’s success in country categories, Eminem’s hip-hop accolades, and Tyla’s recognition in Afrobeats exemplify the diverse talents shaping the music industry.
The event also highlighted significant achievements by Black artists and the global influence of African music. Beyoncé won Favorite Female Country Artist and Favorite Country Album for Cowboy Carter, marking a notable crossover into country music . On the CBS broadcast, SZA hit the stage to pick up two prizes: for favorite female R&B artist and favorite R&B song for “Saturn.”
Eminem received Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Hip-Hop Album for The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), his first AMAs in 15 years . Tyla was honored as Favorite Afrobeats Artist, underscoring the genre’s growing global impact .
Janet Jackson was presented with the Icon Award and delivered her first televised performance in seven years, while Rod Stewart received the Lifetime Achievement Award and closed the show with his classic “Forever Young” .
Taking the stage in a white jacket and baggy jeans, she gave a rendition of her hit “Someone to Call My Lover” (featuring a brief mashup with Mariah Carey’s “Shake It Off”). After wrapping with “All For You,” Jackson accepted the Icon Award, stating that fame was never the intended result of making music.
“No disrespect in any way, but I don’t consider myself an icon. My family, myself, our dream wasn’t ever to be famous. We weren’t raised like that. We always had a special love for music, dancing and singing, and fame came with the result of hard work and dedication,” she said. “My story, my family’s story, it’s truly an American story. This would have only happened in America. The one thing that I hope for is that I’ve been an inspiration to others and artists, to follow their dreams and succeed.”
Major Winners Recap
Billie Eilish: Dominated the night with seven awards, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Hit Me Hard and Soft), Song of the Year (Birds of a Feather), Favorite Female Pop Artist, Favorite Pop Album, Favorite Pop Song, and Favorite Touring Artist.
Gracie Abrams: Named New Artist of the Year.
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars: Won Collaboration of the Year and Favorite Music Video for Die With a Smile.
Eminem: Secured Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Hip-Hop Album for The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce).
Beyoncé: Recognized as Favorite Female Country Artist and for Favorite Country Album (Cowboy Carter), marking a notable crossover into country music.
Tyla: Awarded Favorite Afrobeats Artist, highlighting the global rise of African music.
The ceremony featured performances from a diverse lineup, including Blake Shelton, Lainey Wilson, Gwen Stefani, Benson Boone, Renée Rapp, Gloria Estefan, Alex Warren, and a duet by Becky G and Manuel Turizo.
The 2025 AMAs showcased the dynamic and evolving landscape of the music industry, celebrating both established legends and emerging global artists, proved that the sound of the now — and the sound of what’s next — is being shaped by fearless, genre-blending, culture-rooted artists from every corner of the globe.
