ISLAMABAD: Las Vegas lit up on Monday night as the American Music Awards (AMAs) 2025 brought together the biggest names in the music industry.
Rap titan Kendrick Lamar and global pop icon Taylor Swift stood at the center of the night’s most anticipated showdown.
With fan votes determining the winners, this year’s AMAs were all about popularity, performance, and passion.
Leading the pack, Kendrick Lamar scored 10 nominations — the highest this year — including Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for his fierce diss track “Not Like Us”, which took aim at rival Drake.
The viral anthem, performed live at the Super Bowl and already a five-time Grammy winner, continues to dominate the charts and fuel fan frenzy.
Taylor Swift, on the other hand, came in with unmatched fan support and 40 career AMA wins under her belt — more than any artist in history.
Riding the success of her record-breaking concert tour, Swift is once again in the spotlight as a strong contender for the night’s top honor.
She shares the Artist of the Year nomination with Lamar, alongside other hitmakers like Ariana Grande, SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, Morgan Wallen, Billie Eilish, Zack Bryan, and Chappell Roan.
Big Performances, Bigger Tributes
Post Malone turned heads with eight nominations, showcasing his genre-bending versatility, including nods in the country music categories.
His album “F-1 Trillion” earned him a shot at Favorite Country Album, signaling his successful crossover.
Beyoncé also commanded attention with her “Cowboy Carter” project, earning nominations for Album of the Year and Favorite Female Country Artist, further cementing her evolving musical legacy.
The night wasn’t just about competition.
Music legends Janet Jackson and Rod Stewart received prestigious honors — the Icon Award and Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively — recognizing their enduring influence across generations.
The evening was electric with live performances from Jennifer Lopez, who doubled as host, along with appearances by Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, Benson Boone, and the honored icons themselves.
