American Music Awards
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| American Music Awards | |
|---|---|
 Dick Clark Productions · Public domain · source | |
| Description | Honors achievements in the music industry |
| Country | United States |
| Presenter | Dick Clark Productions |
| Network | ABC |
| First awarded | 1974 |
American Music Awards. The American Music Awards are a major annual American music awards show, created by Dick Clark in 1973 as a competitor to the Grammy Awards. The winners are determined entirely by a poll of the public and music buyers, distinguishing it from industry-voted ceremonies. Broadcast on ABC, the ceremony has been a staple of popular culture, celebrating achievements across genres like pop, country, R&B, and hip hop.
History
The ceremony was established by Dick Clark in response to the Grammy Awards moving its broadcast from ABC to CBS. The first ceremony was held in 1974, with The Carpenters, Olivia Newton-John, and Gladys Knight & the Pips among the early winners. For decades, it was produced by Dick Clark Productions, which was later acquired by Eldridge Industries. A significant shift occurred in 2023 when the show was reimagined as a non-televised, fan-centric event held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, though it returned to a traditional ABC broadcast format in 2024.
Award categories
The categories have evolved to reflect changing musical trends, with core awards including Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, and genre-specific honors for Pop/Rock, Country, Soul/R&B, Rap/Hip-Hop, and Latin. Special awards, such as the Award of Merit and the Icon Award, are periodically presented to legendary artists; past recipients include Michael Jackson, Prince, and Whitney Houston. The Collaboration of the Year category was introduced to recognize popular duets and featured performances.
Ceremonies and hosts
The ceremonies have frequently been held at venues in Los Angeles, including the Shrine Auditorium, the Microsoft Theater, and the Hollywood Palladium. Notable hosts have included Jimmy Kimmel, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Pitbull, with many shows featuring performances by top artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Bruno Mars. The 2022 ceremony was hosted by Wayne Brady from the Microsoft Theater and featured a tribute to Lionel Richie, who received the Icon Award.
Records and achievements
Taylor Swift holds the record for the most wins overall, including a record-breaking six victories for Artist of the Year. Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston are among the most decorated artists in the ceremony's history. Alabama maintains the record for most wins in the Country Group category. In 2019, BTS became the first K-pop act to win an award, taking home Favorite Social Artist. Morgan Wallen set a record in 2023 for the most nominations for a single artist in one year.
Criticism and controversies
The ceremony has faced criticism over the years for its voting system, with some arguing that fan voting favors popularity over artistic merit, a contrast to the Grammy Awards. There have been notable controversies, such as the 2014 boycott by Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea over performance scheduling disputes. In 2022, the decision to allow Morgan Wallen to perform despite a prior scandal involving use of a racial slur drew significant public backlash. The 2023 shift to a non-televised format was met with mixed reactions from fans and industry observers.