The iHeartRadio Music Awards are here and celebrating the best in mainstream music. Ahead of the star-studded show, we’re breaking down all the awards and predicting the artists who will come out on top.
Song of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber
“Despacito” dominated radio waves in a way that no other song did over the past year. The outrageously catchy tune brought Latin music back to the mainstream and made listeners all across the globe stop and listen. Give this one to Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and the Biebs before anyone else. Also nominated: Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” Bruno Mars’ “That’s What I Like,” and collaborations from The Chainsmokers & Coldplay (“Something Just Like This”), and DJ Khaled with Rihanna & Bryson Tiller (“Wild Thoughts”).
Female Artist of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s long-awaited return to music did not disappoint, and she continues to prove why she’s one of music’s biggest stars. Swift shattered sales records after sixth album Reputation was released, making it the best-selling album of the year. With a massive stadium tour on the horizon and millions of adoring fans worldwide, Swift has this award locked down. Halsey, P!nk, Rihanna, and Alessia Cara are also nominated.
Male Artist of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran had his biggest year on record thanks to a little album called Divide. The British singer/songwriter exploded on the scene with hits like “Shape of You” and “Perfect,” and sold out arenas (and soon enough, stadiums) on his world tour. This category places him neck and neck with fellow nominee Bruno Mars, but we’re confident in giving Sheeran the edge. The Weeknd, Charlie Puth and Shawn Mendes are also nominated.
Duo/Group of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: Imagine Dragons
Yet another closely-contested category featuring Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers, Maroon 5, Portugal. The Man and Migos. After dominating radio and streaming services with hits like “Thunder” and “Believer,” Imagine Dragons are likely to come out on top in this category.
Best Collaboration
PREDICTED WINNER: “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber
It was a big year for collaborations (see Song of the Year above). But it was the year of only one collaboration (also see Song of the Year above). Nice try, “Wild Thoughts,” “Something Just Like This” and “Don’t Wanna Know.”
Best New Pop Artist
PREDICTED WINNER: Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello is no stranger to the spotlight since her days in Fifth Harmony. It’s her flourishing solo career that earned her a nomination in this category, which also recognizes Julia Michaels, Logic, Niall Horan and Liam Payne. Cabello’s debut album shot to the top of the charts in January, and she earned a No. 1 single with “Havana,” a sultry pop anthem that seals her place in the industry.
Alternative Rock Song of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: “Feel It Still” – Portugal. The Man
Not only did Portugal. The Man take home a Best Group Performance Grammy for “Feel It Still,” but the song launched the group into the mainstream as a Top 40 hit. It topped the Alt. Rock charts and remains a radio fixture. Imagine Dragons could pull out a win with their two nominated songs “Thunder” and “Believer.” The Revivalists (“Wish I Knew You”) and Thirty Seconds to Mars (“Walk on Water”) are also nominated.
Alternative Rock Artist of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: Imagine Dragons
We’ll give Portugal. The Man credit in the song category, but Alt. Rock Artist has to go to Imagine Dragons. They had a huge year with hit singles, a world tour and overall increase in popularity. Cage the Elephant, Judah & The Lion, Kings of Leon and Portugal. The Man are also recognized.
Country Song of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: “Body Like a Back Road” – Sam Hunt
Fans are still awaiting new music from Sam Hunt, who was behind one of the biggest country crossover hits of the year. “Body Like a Back Road” was inescapable from radio waves and is a clear winner of this category. Other nominated hits are Thomas Rhett’s “Unforgettable,” Jon Pardi‘s “Dirt on My Boots,” Luke Combs‘ “Hurricane,” and Dustin Lynch’s “Small Town Boy.”
Country Artist of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: Thomas Rhett
Thomas Rhett took home this award last year and is likely to win once more. Rhett’s third album Life Changes gave him hits like “Craving You” and “Unforgettable” and is poised to make one of the most popular touring country acts when his Life Changes World Tour gets underway in a matter of weeks. Sam Hunt, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, and Luke Bryan are also nominated.
Dance Song of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: “It Ain’t Me” – Kygo ft. Selena Gomez
Norwegian producer Kygo hit a home run when he collaborated with Selena Gomez for “It Ain’t Me.” It became an infectious Top 10 hit that increased Kygo’s notoriety and garnered praise for Gomez’s vocals. Four other collaborations are recognized in the category: Cheat Codes & Demi Lovato’s “No Promises,” Clean Bandit, AnnMarie & Sean Paul’s “Rockabye,” The Chainsmokers & Coldplay’s “Something Just Like This,” and Zedd & Alessia Cara’s “Stay.”
Dance Artist of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: The Chainsmokers
While Kygo is likely to take home the Dance Song of the Year accolade, he’ll likely fall to The Chainsmokers in being named Dance Artist of the Year. The DJ duo remained a radio presence and have gained more notoriety than fellow nominees. Cheat Codes, Zedd and Calvin Harris are also recognized.
Hip-Hop Song of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: “Bodak Yellow” – Cardi B
Cardi B launched onto the music scene with smash hit “Bodak Yellow,” a single destined to take home this award. She’s up against her own fianceé (Offset of Migos, for “Bad and Boujee”), along with Kendrick Lamar (“HUMBLE.”), Post Malone (“Rockstar”) and DJ Khaled (“Wild Thoughts”).
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: Kendrick Lamar
In a category that is chock full of fan favorite artists like DJ Khaled, Drake, Migos and Future, Kendrick Lamar still manages to stand out as a frontrunner. He earned three more Grammys last month thanks to the widespread success of latest album DAMN. Count him in as a winner of this award as well.
R&B Song of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: “That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars knows how craft hit songs unlike anyone else in music today. “That’s What I Like” is no exception, and had a constant presence on music charts all year. It’s a shoo-in for R&B Song of the Year over “B.E.D.” (Jacquees), “Location” (Khalid), “Love Galore” (SZA ft. Travis Scott), and “Redbone” (Childish Gambino).
R&B Artist of the Year
PREDICTED WINNER: Bruno Mars
After he cleaned house at this year’s Grammys, Bruno Mars is the clear winner to take home the two R&B categories at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. He’s up against some stiff competition, however. Rihanna, Childish Gambino, Khalid and The Weeknd are also nominated.
Best Music Video
PREDICTED WINNER: “Look What You Made Me Do” – Taylor Swift
This socially-voted category is stacked, with 13 total nominated music videos. By far the most memorable of the bunch is Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do.” The revealing video introduced Swift’s Reputation era by creatively addressing all of the elements that have contributed to the singer’s own reputation. Snake symbolism, publicized celebrity feuds, Swift’s past personas—this video has it all, and likely still has you scratching your head trying to catch every sneaky detail.
Best Solo Breakout
PREDICTED WINNER: Too close to call
One of the more interesting categories is also another one decided by social votes. Camila Cabello is up against all four members of One Direction, who are making it big all over again with solo endeavors. Given the dedicated fanbases of each of the artists (and the respective groups they branched out from), it’s simply too hard to predict a single winner. Nevertheless, it will surely be fun to see how the vote turns out.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards air Sunday, March 11 on the networks of TBS, TNT and truTV at 8 p.m. ET. Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Maroon 5, Charlie Puth and more are expected to perform. DJ Khaled and Hailey Baldwin serve as co-hosts.