AMAs 2021: BTS dominate star-studded awards ceremony hosted by Cardi B

Olivia Rodrigo, Bad Bunny and Machine Gun Kelly also among the night’s winners

JoJo Remembers Her First AMAs & Talks Vulnerability and Upcoming Tour | AMAs 2021

The American Music Awards took place tonight (Sunday 21 November) at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles.

BTS dominated the night, picking up several awards and performing live. Host Cardi B also introduced performances from the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, BTS, Italian rock band Maneskin, and Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak’s collaborative project, Silk Sonic.

Cardi herself took home the award for Favourite Hip-Hop Song, while Rodrigo received the Best New Artist Award.

BTS triumphed with two of the top prizes: Artist of the Year and Favourite Pop Song (”Butter”).

Contrary to other awards shows – in which a jury of industry figures decides winners – the honourees at the American Music Awards were chosen entirely based on votes by fans.

Read more:

1. ‘It’s brutal out here’: How Olivia Rodrigo’s acerbic pop speaks for an anxious generation
2. Queen Cardi B: the people’s pop culture icon
3. Best-dressed stars from the AMAs red carpet
4. Winners list in full

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Key Points

• Megan Thee Stallion forced to pull out of performing
• Why Cardi B is the queen of our hearts
• The best-dressed stars on the red carpet
• Winners in full

[22 November 2021 01:38 · Kevin Perry]

Olivia Rodrigo performs heartbreak ballad “traitor”

After a breakneck opening to the 2021 AMAs, pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo slows things down with a heartfelt live performance of her ballad “traitor”. While introducing the performance, Cardi B thanked Rodrigo for helping her get over her own heartbreaks.

[22 November 2021 01:48 · Kevin Perry]

Taylor Swift wins Favourite Pop Album

Brandy presents the award for Favourite Pop Album to Taylor Swift for Evermore. In a pre-recorded acceptance speech video, Swift says she’s: “always looked at Evermore as Folklore’s adventurous, fun younger sister.” She also thanks fans for their reaction to the recently released Red (Taylor’s Version).

[22 November 2021 01:53 · Kevin Perry]

Tyler, the Creator brings the snow

Next up is Tyler, the Creator, who performs an impassioned version of “MASSA” from recent album Call Me If You Get Lost, while the stage is coated in a layer of fake snow. A bit early for a White Christmas, but good thing he remembered that big warm hat.

[22 November 2021 02:01 · Kevin Perry]

Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood duet on ‘If I Didn’t Love You’

It’s country music time at the AMAs, as two of the night’s nominees Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood team up for a performance of their smash-hit duet “If I Didn’t Love You”. Aldean proves you don’t have to be Lil Nas X to pull off a cowboy hat.

[22 November 2021 02:10 · Kevin Perry]

Bad Bunny, Tainy and Julieta Venegas team up for futuristic performance

Julieta Venegas, Tainy and Bad Bunny donned science-fiction style outfits to perform their hit “Lo Siento BB :/.” The trio released the song in October and it's set to be included on Tainy's debut album Data.

[22 November 2021 02:15 · Kevin Perry]

Cardi B wins Favourite Hip-Hop Song

Actor Marsai Martin hands the award for Favourite Hip-Hop Song to AMAs host Cardi B for her single “Up”. She thanks her fans and “Jesus, you’ve always got to thank Jesus.” There’s no rest for Cardi who segues directly into introducing the next act.

[22 November 2021 02:18 · Kevin Perry]

Måneskin are “Beggin’"

Italian rockers Måneskin are up next, introduced by Cardi B sat at a mock Italian restaurant table. They rip through a high-energy version of “Beggin’”, the Northern Soul favourite originally popularised by the Four Seasons in 1967.

[22 November 2021 02:27 · Kevin Perry]

“Have Mercy” pleads Chlöe

Chloe Bailey, known mononymously as Chlöe, is joined by a whole troupe of backing dancers for a performance of “Have Mercy”, the lead single from her upcoming solo debut studio album.

[22 November 2021 02:33 · Kevin Perry]

BTS win Favourite Pop Song

Curb Your Enthusiasm actor J.B. Smoove describes his childhood dream of joining a boyband and shows off his dance moves before handing the award for Favourite Pop Song to BTS for their song “Butter”. They say: “This award proves that this song reaches so many people’s hearts, and we never take that for granted.”

[22 November 2021 02:36 · Kevin Perry]

The Jennifer Lopez renaissance continues

Jennifer Lopez continues her renewed pop culture dominance by performing “On My Way (Marry Me)”, a song taken from her new romantic comedy Marry Me in which she stars alongside Owen Wilson. Is there anything J. Lo can’t do? (No)