Ola Akinwunmi
The 2025 American Music Awards were all about reinvention, comebacks, and career-defining wins — but above all, they belonged to Billie Eilish.
Broadcast live from Las Vegas, the night saw Eilish sweep all seven categories she was nominated in, including the coveted Artist of the Year. Her introspective album Hit Me Hard and Soft earned Album of the Year and Favourite Pop Album, while her haunting single Birds of a Feather took home both Song of the Year and Favourite Pop Song. Eilish also won Favourite Female Pop Artist and Favourite Touring Artist, cementing her place as one of the most influential artists of her generation.
“Thank you for letting me be weird and real and soft and hard and everything in between,” Eilish said during one of her acceptance speeches. “This year has been a dream.”
Beyoncé made history by winning Favourite Female Country Artist and Favourite Country Album for Cowboy Carter, a bold and genre-blending record that’s redefined boundaries in country music. Her win marks another landmark moment in a year that’s seen her take country music by storm — and do it on her own terms.
Post Malone also joined the country wave, earning his first AMA in the genre with a win for Favourite Male Country Artist. His crossover collaboration with Morgan Wallen, I Had Some Help, was named Favourite Country Song.
Eminem picked up his first AMA award in 15 years, reminding everyone that his lyrical firepower is still unmatched. He won Favourite Male Hip-Hop Artist and Favourite Hip-Hop Album for The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) — a project that critics and fans alike called a raw, reflective return to form.
Gracie Abrams was named New Artist of the Year, rising above fellow breakout stars like Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, and Teddy Swims. Abrams, who released The Secret of Us this year, called the honor “surreal” and dedicated the award to “every quiet kid with big feelings.”
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars took home Collaboration of the Year and Favourite Music Video for their duet Die With a Smile, a dark, theatrical track that lit up both charts and streaming platforms. Gaga also won Favourite Dance/Electronic Artist, while Mars claimed Favourite Male Pop Artist.
In the R&B categories, SZA and The Weeknd were top winners, with SZA’s Saturn named Favourite R&B Song and The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow taking Favourite R&B Album.
Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us won Favourite Hip-Hop Song, continuing his award season momentum, while Megan Thee Stallion was named Favourite Female Hip-Hop Artist.
Global music was well represented: RM took Favourite K-pop Artist, Tyla won Favourite Afrobeats Artist, and Bad Bunny once again led the Latin categories with wins including Favourite Male Latin Artist and Favourite Latin Album for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.
With a mix of bold debuts, genre-breaking records, and long-awaited comebacks, the 2025 AMAs reflected a music landscape that’s more dynamic and inclusive than ever.
