The 52nd American Music Awards announced its slate of 50 categories reflecting the ever-evolving music landscape.
There are 14 genre-neutral categories and 36 genre-specific categories. Of those, country and Latin lead, with six categories each; followed by pop, hip-hop and R&B, with five each; rock/alternative, with four; K-pop, with two; and dance/electronic, Afrobeats and Americana/folk, with one each.
This is a far more diverse picture than when Dick Clark created the show in 1974. For the first five years, through 1978, there were just 15 categories – five categories each for pop/rock, soul/R&B and country.
The 52nd American Music Awards returns to CBS and Paramount+ on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, which the show’s organizers point out is the largest venue in the show’s history. The show was held in the tiny Earl Carroll Theatre in Hollywood in its first year, before graduating to such larger venues as the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, the Shrine Auditorium and the Peacock Theatre. Last year it was held at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
Nominations for the 52nd American Music Awards will be announced on Tuesday, April 14. Fan voting opens that same day and will remain open until May 8.
Additional details, including performers, presenters, special honorees, and the ticket on-sale date, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Here’s the complete list of categories:
Artist of the Year
New Artist of the Year
Album of the Year
Song of the Year
Collaboration of the Year
Social Song of the Year
Best Music Video
Best Soundtrack
Tour of the Year
Breakthrough Touring Artist
Breakthrough Album of the Year
Throwback Song of the Year
Best Vocal Performance
Song of the Summer
Best Male Pop Artist
Best Female Pop Artist
Breakthrough Pop Artist
Best Pop Song
Best Pop Album
Best Male Country Artist
Best Female Country Artist
Best Country Duo or Group
Breakthrough Country Artist
Best Country Song
Best Country Album
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist
Best Hip-Hop Song
Best Hip-Hop Album
Best Male R&B Artist
Best Female R&B Artist
Breakthrough R&B Artist
Best R&B Song
Best R&B Album
Best Male Latin Artist
Best Female Latin Artist
Best Latin Duo/Group
Breakthrough Latin Artist
Best Latin Song
Best Latin Album
Best Rock/Alternative Artist
Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist
Best Rock/Alternative Song
Best Rock/Alternative Album
Best Dance/Electronic Artist
Best Male K-Pop Artist
Best Female K-Pop Artist
Best Afrobeats Artist
Best Americana / Folk Artist
The American Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.