The American Music Award for Artist of the Year, which is the most prestigious award of the night, has been awarded since 1996. Years reflect the year during which the awards were presented, for works released in the previous year (until 2003 onward, when awards were handed out on November of the same year). Taylor Swift is the most nominated and awarded artist in the category, with 7 wins from 10 nominations. Swift was the first artist to be nominated in the category for five consecutive years and the only act to win for three consecutive years.
Winners and nominees 1990s Year Artist Ref 1996 Garth Brooks TLC Boyz II Men Green Day Hootie & the Blowfish 1997 – 98 colspan="2" 1999 Garth Brooks Celine Dion (2nd place) Shania Twain (3rd place) Backstreet Boys (4th place) Metallica (5th place)
2000s Year Artist Ref 2000 colspan="2" 2001 NSYNC Britney Spears Creed Destiny's Child Eminem Faith Hill 2002 U2 Destiny's Child Janet Jackson Alicia Keys Tim McGraw Shaggy 2003 colspan="2" 2003 Madonna Christina Aguilera Cher Justin Timberlake Shania Twain 2004 Kenny Chesney Evanescence Norah Jones Outkast Usher 2005 Kelly Clarkson 50 Cent Mariah Carey Green Day Toby Keith Gwen Stefani 2006 Rascal Flatts Beyoncé Mary J. Blige Daniel Powter The Pussycat Dolls 2007 Carrie Underwood Akon Daughtry Fergie Norah Jones 2008 Chris Brown Coldplay Eagles Alicia Keys Lil Wayne 2009 Taylor Swift Eminem Michael Jackson Kings of Leon Lady Gaga
2010s Year Artist Ref 2010 Justin Bieber Eminem Kesha Lady Gaga Katy Perry 2011 Taylor Swift Adele Lady Gaga Lil Wayne Katy Perry 2012 Justin Bieber Drake Maroon 5 Katy Perry Rihanna 2013 Taylor Swift Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Bruno Mars Rihanna Justin Timberlake 2014 One Direction Iggy Azalea Beyoncé Luke Bryan Katy Perry 2015 One Direction Luke Bryan Ariana Grande Nicki Minaj Taylor Swift 2016 Ariana Grande Justin Bieber Selena Gomez Rihanna Carrie Underwood 2017 Bruno Mars The Chainsmokers Drake Kendrick Lamar Ed Sheeran 2018 Taylor Swift Drake Ed Sheeran Imagine Dragons Post Malone 2019 Taylor Swift Ariana Grande Drake Halsey Post Malone
2020s YearArtistRef2020 Taylor Swift Justin Bieber Post MaloneRoddy Ricch The Weeknd2021 BTS Ariana Grande DrakeOlivia RodrigoTaylor SwiftThe Weeknd2022 Taylor Swift AdeleBad BunnyBeyoncéDrakeHarry StylesThe Weeknd 2023 – 24 colspan="3" 2025 Billie Eilish Ariana Grande Chappell Roan Kendrick Lamar Morgan Wallen Post Malone Sabrina Carpenter SZA Taylor Swift Zach Bryan2026BTSBad BunnyBruno MarsHarry StylesJustin BieberKendrick LamarLady GagaMorgan WallenSabrina CarpenterTaylor Swift
Multiple wins RankArtistWinsYears 1.Taylor Swift 7 wins 2009, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 2. BTS 2 wins 2021 and 2026 Justin Bieber 2010 and 2012 One Direction 2014 and 2015
Multiple nominations
11 nominations Taylor Swift
5 nominations Justin Bieber Drake Ariana Grande
4 nominations Lady Gaga Post Malone Katy Perry
3 nominations Beyoncé Eminem Kendrick Lamar Bruno Mars Rihanna Ed Sheeran The Weeknd
2 nominations Bad Bunny BTS Luke Bryan Sabrina Carpenter Destiny's Child Green Day One Direction Norah Jones Alicia Keys Harry Styles Justin Timberlake Carrie Underwood Morgan Wallen Lil Wayne
References