Predicting the winners of the 2019 American Music Awards

Ahead of this year’s ceremony, fans are voting for their favorite artists to win in 29 different categories during the American Music Awards ceremony on Sunday. Genre-blurring artist Post Malone leads this year’s nominations with seven trophies up for grabs, while Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish are each up for six awards. Also noteworthy is Taylor Swift’s potential new AMA Awards record — if she wins just two of the five awards she’s nominated for, she’ll top Michael Jackson as the winningest artist in AMA Awards history. 

Nobody’s had a bigger year than Post Malone, and even though he’s up against huge competition — fellow nominees Taylor Swift, Halsey, Drake, and Ariana Grande — Posty just deserves to win the Artist of the Year. That said, if it doesn’t work out, at least he’s got the opportunity to win in six other categories this year. 

At just 17 years old, Gen Z icon Billie Eilish has reached truly dizzying heights. Her 2019 album, "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" and its massive hit single, “Bad Guy,” has sold millions of copies and been streamed hundreds of millions of times, all while earning acclaim from critics. Lil Nas X, Lizzo, Ella Mai and Luke Combs are compelling contenders in this category, but the crown has to go to Billie Eilish after her massive 2019. 

The undisputed song of the summer and one of the greatest cross-genre collaborations of all time, “Old Town Road’ is a shoo-in for Collaboration of the Year. Combining the ‘90s country cred of Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X’s boundless creativity, it’s a song that will have a truly lasting impact. 

With 260 shows across the globe and more than $776 million in box office sales, Ed Sheeran’s Divide Tour is a truly obvious pick for this year’s Tour of the Year winner. It’s officially the highest-grossing tour in music history, with more than 8 million fans across the globe ponying up cash to see the “Shape Of You” singer live. 

Even fans who don’t like hip-hop or country were charmed by the cinematic “Old Town Road” video, which features cameos from comedian Chris Rock, superstar DJ Diplo and rapper Vince Staples on a time-traveling journey from the Wild West to the city in 2019. Since its debut in May 2019, it’s racked up more than 386 million views on YouTube. 

Of course, an award that recognizes the artist with the best social media presence should go to Ariana Grande, who commands more than 167 million followers on Instagram, plus another 67 million on Twitter. She’s also extremely communicative with fans on social media, which is a huge bonus. 

Drake and Khalid are certainly heavy-hitters in this category, but don’t be surprised if Post Malone takes home the trophy for Favorite Male Artist, Pop/Rock. His 2019 album, "Hollywood’s Bleeding," the much-anticipated follow-up to 2018’s "Beerbongs & Bentleys," has inspired a truly intense devotion in the millions of Posty fans across the globe. 

Even though she’s set to accept the American Music Awards’s Artist of the Decade trophy on Sunday night, don’t be surprised if Swift isn’t also on stage accepting Favorite Female Artist Pop/Rock. Fans are still obsessed with Swift’s long-awaited 2019 album, "Lover," released in August, and critics were equally impressed. 

Shooting into the stratosphere out of what seemed like nowhere, no star has been brighter in 2019 than Billie Eilish. "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 and has since been streamed hundreds of millions of times. More than that, Eilish’s unique blend of electro-pop and indie sensibilities has attracted fans outside of her age bracket thanks to the distinctive creativity of her sound.

There’s no denying that “Old Town Road” is 2019’s most pervasive earworm, and for good reason. It’s fun, appeals to fans of all ages and musical preferences and, perhaps most importantly, boasts the remarkable talent of hip-hop newcomer Lil Nas X. 

Kane Brown fans were a little miffed when the baritone-voiced artist wasn’t a nominee in the CMA Awards Male Vocalist of the Year category this year, which could mean that they’re putting in major focus to make sure that Brown takes home this trophy. But with Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett, both superstars in their own rights, in the category, who knows what could happen? 

The winner of this year’s Female Vocalist of the Year award at the CMAs, 2019 has been the year of Maren Morris. Carrie Underwood offers formidable competition in the category, but she’s already won the trophy seven times, including the last three years in a row. 

After notching hits like “Tequila” and “Speechless,” Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney have proven that Dan + Shay is the future of country music. They’re also especially popular with younger listeners, who will more than likely be doing most of the AMA Awards voting. 

Considering that Carrie Underwood’s already won American Music Awards for Favorite Album - Country for every single one of her previous releases, it makes sense that she’ll repeat that feat again with her most recent release, "Cry Pretty." 

The reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year, Luke Combs is also arguably the most exciting new solo artist in years. His hit single “Beautiful Crazy” was so popular among fans, in fact, that it went viral on social media before being officially released. 

Now officially one of the most well-known rappers in music, fans are completely obsessed with Cardi B. She already won Best Rap Album at the Grammys earlier this year, and fans should expect this streak to continue at the American Music Awards. 

Released by rapper Travis Scott in August 2018, "Astroworld" is a sweeping, genre-melding record with tons of guest vocalists that earned acclaim from critics and fans alike. It’s so popular, in fact, that "Astroworld" has since been certified double-platinum. 

This category is packed with bangers — and extremely successful chart performers, including “Old Town Road” and Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode” — but the brightest among them is Post Malone’s “Wow.” 

Khalid has spent the past few years charming audiences with his endlessly catchy hits like “Talk” and “Right Back” from 2019’s "Free Spirit." He’s also, despite only having released his debut album in 2016, already the most streamed artist on Spotify across the globe. 

Despite Beyonce being nominated in this category, expect Lizzo to nab the trophy for Favorite Female Artist, Soul/R&B. With fun, catchy hits like her empowering anthem, “Truth Hurts,” Lizzo is the brightest new star in the genre in years. 

Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 back in April 2019, Khalid’s "Free Spirit" is likely to win Favorite Album Soul & R&B thanks to its perfectly catchy lead single, “Talk.” 

Even though Ella Mai faces stiff competition in the other categories she’s nominated in, including Favorite Female Singer - Soul/R&B, her buzzy hit single, “Trip,” is likely to take home the Favorite Song award. 

Consider it a sweep. If Billie Eilish is nominated in a category this year, she’s probably going to win it, and Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock is no exception, especially considering that Imagine Dragons and Panic! At the Disco, Eilish’s competitors in the category, didn’t have as strong a year as the “Bad Guy” singer.

Expect to see a lot of Taylor Swift on stage on Sunday night, because she’s definitely the favorite to win Favorite Artist - Adult Contemporary against P!nk and Maroon 5. Her 2019 album, "Lover" appeals to fans of all ages, and its inclusive, upbeat message is the kind of positivity that the past year desperately needed. 

With a truly distinctive look and a presence on some of the year’s biggest hits, including Drake’s “MIA” and “La Cancion,” his collaboration with J Balvin, it’d be a real shock if Bad Bunny didn’t win the Favorite Artist - Latin award.

This is a pretty tough category this year, with Dolly Parton collaborators For King & Country and contemporary Christian icons MercyMe in the running for Favorite Artist - Contemporary Inspirational, but “Rescue” singer Lauren Daigle’s got this one in the bag. 

Even though he will likely receive this trophy posthumously — the legendary EDM producer died by suicide in Oman last year — expect Avicii fans to honor their favorite producer with the Favorite Artist - EDM trophy one final time. 

Teaming up for the 2018 remake of "A Star Is Born," Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper recorded music for this film that eventually became so much more than a soundtrack. Its most prominent track, “Shallow,” has already taken home the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and Cooper and Gaga’s intensely emotive performance of these songs was certainly the best part of that film.