LOS ANGELES: Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar and pop sensation Taylor Swift are set to compete for top honours at the American Music Awards (AMAs) in Las Vegas on Monday, with both artists nominated in key categories including the prestigious Artist of the Year.
Lamar leads the field with ten nominations, according to event organisers. His standout year includes the success of “Not Like Us,” a diss track aimed at Canadian rapper Drake, which is also in contention for Song of the Year.
The track, which Lamar performed during February’s Super Bowl halftime show, has already earned him five Grammy Awards.
Pop superstar Taylor Swift, who holds the record for the most AMA wins in history with 40 trophies, is also nominated for Artist of the Year.
Swift is riding the wave of her record-breaking “Eras” concert tour, which has become the highest-grossing music tour of all time.
Other contenders in the Artist of the Year category include Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Morgan Wallen, Billie Eilish, Zack Bryan and SZA, organisers confirmed.
The American Music Awards, one of the biggest fan-voted music events in the United States, will be broadcast live on CBS starting at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (midnight GMT).
The ceremony will be hosted by singer and actress Jennifer Lopez, as reported by the Associated Press and Reuters.
Post Malone, another major nominee, is up for eight awards including Favourite Male Country Artist and Favourite Country Album for F-1 Trillion.
The rapper-turned-country artist has previously won AMAs in both rap/hip-hop and pop/rock categories.
Beyoncé is also among the leading nominees. Her album Cowboy Carter, which won Album of the Year at the Grammys, is nominated for Album of the Year and Favourite Country Album at the AMAs.
She is also competing in the category of Favourite Female Country Artist, signalling a significant crossover moment in her career.
This year’s ceremony will also celebrate musical icons. Janet Jackson is set to receive the AMA Icon Award in recognition of her enduring global influence, while British rock legend Rod Stewart will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long contribution to music.
A star-studded line-up of performers will take the stage throughout the evening, including Jennifer Lopez, Janet Jackson, Rod Stewart, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Lainey Wilson.
