2015 American Music Awards Predictions

Ray Stewart, Managing Editor

Since the American Music Awards is the award show that mostly rewards high-profile performers, fans can already guess who has the most nominations: Taylor Swift. The pop star has six nominations and as one of the highest charting artists of all time, she deserves all 16 of her AMA’s. Swift had a great year but there can still be upsets. Here are a few breakdowns and predictions for this year’s award show.

Artist of the Year: Luke Bryan, Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Nicki Minaj, One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift, Meghan Trainor, The Weeknd.

T-Swift is the favorite here followed by The Weeknd and Nicki Minaj. Swift’s debut pop album “1989” was one of this year’s highest selling albums however The Weeknd’s “Beauty Behind the Madness” and Minaj’s “The Pinkprint” were also popular this year.

New Artist of the Year: Fetty Wap. Sam Hunt. Tove Lo. Walk the Moon, The Weeknd

The Weeknd will take this one home. However Fetty Wap’s domination of the air waves this year cannot be denied. The two artists both released No. 1 albums, however The Weeknd gets a slight advantage due to his smash hit “I Can’t Feel My Face.”

Song of the Year : Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth, “See You Again”, Rihanna and Kanye West featuring Paul McCartney, “FourFiveSeconds”, Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk!”, Skrillex and Diplo featuring Justin Bieber, “Where Are U Now” Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood”

This may be the hardest award to predict. All of these songs continue to dominate air waves however “See You Again” has been the most impactful. The Paul Walker tribute had a greater impact than Swift’s Katy Perry diss track, Beiber’s comeback single and Rihanna’s proclamation of frustration,

Collab of the Year: Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth, “See You Again”, Rihanna and Kanye West featuring Paul McCartney, “FourFiveSeconds”, Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk!”, Skrillex and Diplo featuring Justin Bieber, “Where Are U Now” Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood“’

Since these are literally the same nominees as Song of the Year, this award is also hard to predict. Each collaboration is unique and the artists’ work so well together. “Bad Blood” will most likely win due to the prowess of Taylor Swift’s fans.

Check out the rest of the predictions for the other categories below (predicted winner in bold). The 2015 American Music Awards will take place this Sunday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock: Nick Jonas, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith

Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock: Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Meghan Trainor

Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock: Maroon 5, One Direction, Walk the Moon

Favorite Album – Pop/Rock: Ed Sheeran, X, Sam Smith, In the Lonely Hour, Taylor Swift, 1989

Favorite Male Artist – Country:  Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt

Favorite Female Artist – Country: Kelsea Ballerini. Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood

Favorite Duo or Group – Country: Zac Brown Band, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town

Favorite Album – Country: Jason Aldean, Old Boots, New Dirt, Florida Georgia Line, Anything Goes Sam Hunt, Montevallo

Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop: Drake, Fetty Wap, Nicki Minaj

Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop J. Cole, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Drake, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, Nicki Minaj, The Pinkprint

Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B: Chris Brown, Trey Songz, The Weeknd

Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B: Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige Rihanna

Favorite Album – Soul/R&B: Chris Brown, X, D’Angelo and The Vanguard, Black Messiah, The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness

Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock: Fall Out Boy, Hozier, Walk the Moon

Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary: Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Meghan Trainor

Favorite Artist – Latin: Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Romeo Santos

Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational: Casting Crowns, Hillsong United, MercyMe

Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music: Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Zedd

Top Soundtrack, Fifty Shades of Grey, Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1, Pitch Perfect 2