BTS Secures Artist of the Year at American Music Awards
South Korean seven-member group BTS has been awarded Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards (AMAs) for the second consecutive year, reinforcing their position as one of the world's leading musical acts.
This accolade, regarded as the ceremony's top honor, adds to the achievements of the prominent K-pop group, who have been engaged in a $1 billion world tour since their return from a nearly four-year hiatus in March.
In addition to Artist of the Year, BTS also received Song of the Summer for their album's lead single "Swim" and was named Best Male K-pop Artist. Their label partners, Katseye, were recognized as New Artist of the Year.
"Golden," the viral single from the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, was awarded Song of the Year, while Sabrina Carpenter earned Album of the Year for Man's Best Friend.
Carpenter also took home Best Female Pop Artist and Best Pop Album, with Justin Bieber winning Best Male Pop Artist.
BTS triumphed over competitors including Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Bad Bunny, and Lady Gaga in the Artist category, and surpassed artists such as Harry Styles, Tame Impala, and PinkPantheress in the Song category.
Taylor Swift, who holds the record for the most AMA wins, entered the awards with eight nominations but did not secure any wins this year.
PinkPantheress received Collaboration of the Year for "Stateside" with Zara Larsson.
Zara Larsson, who recently performed at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Sunderland, also won Breakthrough Album of the Year for Midnight Sun.
Katseye earned two additional awards: Best Music Video for "Gnarly" and Breakthrough Pop Artist, while Huntrix won Best Vocal Performance and Best Pop Song.
EJAE contributed to the accolades by winning Best Soundtrack for KPop Demon Hunters. EJAE attended the event alongside Rei Ami, although Audrey Nuna was unable to attend due to work commitments.
Rock veteran Billy Idol was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, coinciding with his recent announcement of induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Black Eyed Peas received Best Throwback Song for "Rock That Body," a single from their 2009 album The E.N.D.
Other winners included Sombr, SZA, Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, Bad Bunny, Twice, Shakira, and Bruno Mars.
Queen Latifah hosted the ceremony held in Las Vegas, featuring performances by Katseye, Keith Urban, New Kids on the Block, Teddy Swims, and Twenty One Pilots.
Sombr won three awards, including Best Rock/Alternative Song for "Back to Friends." On stage, Sombr shared:
"I wrote this song when I was 19 and depressed all by myself in my bedroom. So being here, I never would have expected that."
Nominees at the AMAs are selected based on commercial performance, but winners are determined entirely by public voting through the AMA website and social media platforms.
This voting system highlights the influence of fan bases, with BTS's fan base, known as the BTS Army, being notably dedicated.
Millions of fans worldwide closely follow the activities of band members Jung Kook, Jimin, V, Suga, RM, Jin, and j-hope, attending concerts, requesting songs on radio stations, and organizing online campaigns to boost streaming rankings.
The BTS Army, standing for Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth, is a decentralized global community credited with significantly contributing to the group's rapid success.
During their acceptance speech, BTS leader RM, aged 31, expressed gratitude:
"Armys, we did it once again! Since this is a fan-voted award, our biggest thanks and gratitude, as always, go to Armys all over the world."
Already recognized as the most successful K-pop group and one of the largest music acts worldwide, BTS has gained further momentum since their March comeback with the release of their fifth studio album, Arirang. The band had paused activities in 2022 for members' mandatory military service.
BBC music correspondent Mark Savage described the album as a "genuine return to form," noting the group had "rekindled the fire" that fueled their earlier successes.
J-Hope, 32, commented during the AMA acceptance:
"We've had such an overwhelming response to this album. Honestly, thank you for embracing Arirang and every single song on this album. We're so grateful."
Jimin, 30, added:
"Thank you for following us on tour and showing us so much love in every city. And to all the Armys who always support and love us, thank you. We love you."
The ongoing tour is currently taking place across the United States and will conclude with concerts in Busan, South Korea, in June to coincide with the group's 13th debut anniversary.
Awards for Huntrix and EJAE
Huntrix received multiple honors, including Song of the Year, Best Pop Song, and Best Vocal Performance for "Golden," the viral single from the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters.
