2016 American Music Awards

The show was jam-packed with performances including a standing ovation worthy one from Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Green Day, and Sting. Sting performed a medley of his greatest hits and accepted the ‘Award of Merit’ presented by Robert Downey Jr.

Drake, who arrived to the event with a record breaking, 13 nominations took home the award for Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip Hop, Favorite Album – Rap/Hip Hop for Views, and Favorite Song – Rap/Hip Hop for “Hotline Bling”.

Not to be out done, Rihanna took home the hardware for Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B, Favorite Album – Soul/R&B for Anti, and Favorite Song – Soul/R&B for “Work”.

Justin Bieber took home the Video of the Year award for “Sorry”, Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock, as well as Favorite Album – Pop/Rock for Purpose and Favorite Song – Pop/Rock, “Love Yourself”.
Ariana Grande took home the biggest award of the night, Artist of the Year and Zayn made it very clear he’s going in one direction when he joked “This one just has my name on it, right?” as he accepted his award for New Artist of the Year.

The night took a somber turn when the Top Soundtrack award went to Prince posthumously for Purple Rain. His sister, Tyka Nelson accepted on his behalf bringing tears to the eyes of the audience members.

Full list of winners:

• Artist of the Year – Ariana Grande
• New Artist of the Year – Zayn
• Collaboration of the Year – Fifth Harmony feat. Ty Dolla $ign, “Work from Home”
• Tour of the Year – Beyoncé
• Video of the Year – Justin Bieber, “Sorry”
• Favorite Male Artist (Pop/Rock) – Justin Bieber
• Favorite Female Artist (Pop/Rock) – Selena Gomez
• Favorite Duo or Group (Pop/Rock) – Twenty One Pilots
• Favorite Album (Pop/Rock) – Justin Bieber, Purpose
• Favorite Song (Pop/Rock) – Justin Bieber, “Love Yourself”
• Favorite Male Artist (Country) – Blake Shelton
• Favorite Female Artist (Country) – Carrie Underwood
• Favorite Duo or Group (Country) – Florida Georgia Line
• Favorite Album (Country) – Carrie Underwood, Storyteller
• Favorite Song (Country) – Tim McGraw, “Humble and Kind”
• Favorite Artist (Rap/Hip-Hop) – Drake
• Favorite Album (Rap/Hip-Hop) – Drake, Views
• Favorite Song (Rap/Hip-Hop) – Drake, “Hotline Bling”
• Favorite Male Artist (Soul/R&B) – Chris Brown
• Favorite Female Artist (Soul/R&B) – Rihanna
• Favorite Album (Soul/R&B) – Rihanna, Anti
• Favorite Song (Soul/R&B) – Rihanna feat. Drake, “Work”
• Favorite Artist (Alternative Rock) – Twenty One Pilots
• Favorite Artist (Adult Contemporary) – Adele
• Favorite Artist (Latin) – Enrique Iglesias
• Favorite Artist (Contemporary Inspirational) – Hillsong UNITED
• Favorite Artist (Electronic Dance Music) – The Chainsmokers
• Top Soundtrack – Purple Rain

Written by Kristen