Kendrick Lamar Dominates AMA Nominations
The nominations for the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs) have been revealed, with rapper Kendrick Lamar leading the pack, securing a remarkable 10 nominations. Following a highly successful year, highlighted by his hit album “GNX” and his noteworthy victory in a public rap rivalry with Drake, Lamar is positioned to potentially match historical records at this year’s AMAs. His nominations include prestigious categories like Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for “GNX,” and Song of the Year for his Grammy-winning diss track “Not Like Us.”
Aside from his solo achievements, Lamar notably occupies three nomination slots in a single category – Favorite Hip-Hop Song – earning recognition for “Luther” featuring SZA, “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin, and his solo track, “Not Like Us.” Such extensive recognition underscores Lamar’s pervasive impact across the musical and cultural landscape.
“Kendrick Lamar continues to profoundly influence contemporary music, blending social commentary and artistic innovation, making his multiple nominations well-deserved,” said music critic Amanda Greene.
With public voting now open through VoteAMAs.com and the official @AMAs Instagram profile, fans have the opportunity to directly influence the outcome of the awards. The 2025 AMAs will air live from Las Vegas on May 26, hosted by actress and singer Jennifer Lopez. It marks the ceremony’s return to CBS, with simultaneous streaming on Paramount+.
Post Malone, Billie Eilish Among Leading AMA Contenders
Close behind Lamar, Post Malone garnered an impressive eight nominations, underscoring his adaptability across various genres. Malone’s recognitions span from pop and hip-hop to country, with nominations including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for “F-1 Trillion,” Favorite Male Country Artist, Favorite Country Album, and Favorite Country Song. This genre-crossing success positions him as a significant competitor across multiple award categories.
Following closely, Billie Eilish received seven nominations, reflective of her consistent popularity and chart successes. Similarly, newcomers Chappell Roan and Shaboozey have each earned seven nominations, highlighting their rising profiles within the industry. Notably, Roan distinguished herself by becoming the only artist nominated in all three newly introduced categories this year: Album, Song, and Social Song of the Year.
“The diversity seen in nominations this year, especially artists like Post Malone bridging different music categories, shows a fascinating evolution in musical tastes among American audiences,” commented industry analyst Liam Carter.
Further emphasizing the evolving musical landscape, of the 49 artists who received multiple nominations, only three are duos or groups, indicating a contemporary preference toward solo performers. This trend mirrors broader shifts in production and marketing dynamics within the music industry.
Historical Context and Broader Impact of the 2025 AMAs
The American Music Awards, established in 1973, have long celebrated major accomplishments in music, both commercial and artistic. Historically, artists such as Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston have set high standards, with Jackson securing an unmatched eight wins in 1984. This year, Kendrick Lamar stands to tie that record if he succeeds across all his nominated categories, marking a significant moment for both the artist and the awards’ history.
This year’s eligibility period for AMAs consideration stretched from March 22, 2024, to March 20, 2025, capturing notable musical releases and significant cultural moments within that timeframe. The awards’ methodology continues to heavily emphasize fan interactions, incorporating streaming numbers, album and song sales, radio airplay, and live tour revenue into nomination considerations.
“Fan participation remains central to the AMAs’ enduring appeal, making the results a direct reflection of public admiration and engagement,” noted cultural historian Dr. Teresa Nguyen.
Further highlighting the AMAs’ adaptability, this year’s introduction of new categories—Award for Album, Song, and Social Song of the Year—signals the ceremony’s responsiveness to contemporary media and listening habits. This development illustrates the ceremony’s ongoing effort to remain relevant to industry changes and technological advancements.
As the awards ceremony approaches, viewers and participants alike anticipate how the event may influence careers, music trends, and industry standards moving forward. With musicians like Lamar, Malone, and Eilish at the forefront, the 2025 AMAs illustrate both recognition of past success and a barometer of future musical directions.