Artists to watch at the 2018 iHeartRadio music awards
The iHeartRadio Music Award ceremony always promises to be a dynamic evening, so many should be prepared for the 2018 event to be unlike any other award shows during the year. Hosted by DJ Khaled and Hailey Baldwin, the show promises performances by Bon Jovi, Ed Sheeran, Cardi B, Maroon 5, Camila Cabello, Charlie Puth and Chance The Rapper, who will receive a special Innovator Award for his success as an independent artist.
Those honored at the ceremony are a unique group because they truly are a reflection of the music that Americans all around the country are listening to. These are the biggest songs and artists heard throughout the last year across radio stations (including iHeartRadio) nationwide — after all, many of the winners are decided by the fans themselves.
Stacker identified the top 50 most popular artists nominated for awards this year, ranking their fame based on Wikipedia page view data from the past year (February 2017 to January 2018). Additionally, each artist is accompanied with the number of awards they have been nominated for, and whether or not they will be performing.
See which artist is the most popular to grace your screens on Sunday evening.
#50. Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist: Rag'n'Bone Man
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,194,963
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist
After seeing the success of Rag’n’Bone man’s debut album, Human, and its lead single of the same name, the smokey-voiced rock/blues singer is up for the award for Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist.
#49. Best New R&B Artist: SZA
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,225,454
Number of nominations: 3
Nominations: Best New R&B Artist:, R&B Song of the Year (for "Love Galore" ft Travis Scott, Best Remix (for "Homemade Dynamite" with Lorde, Khalid, and Post Malone)
SZA has had a whirlwind of a year, with her debut studio album, Ctrl, collecting Grammy nominations and praise from critics and audiences alike. Her single, "Love Galore," featuring Travis Scott, especially garnered attention this year.
#48. Rock Song of the Year (for "Run"): Foo Fighters
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,247,307
Number of nominations: 2
Nominations: Rock Song of the Year (for "Run"), Rock Artist of the Year
After a successful year headlining the 2017 Glastonbury Festival in Scotland and releasing their ninth studio album Concrete and Gold, the rock legends are honored this year for their single “Run” and for Rock Artist of the Year.
#47. Song of the Year (for "Something Just Like This" with The Chainsmokers): Coldplay
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,258,761
Number of nominations: 3
Nominations: Song of the Year (for "Something Just Like This" with The Chainsmokers), Best Collaboration & Dance Song of the Year (for "Something Just Like This" with The Chainsmokers)
This is a unique year for British pop-rock band Coldplay, as they’re being honored not for their solo work, but for their collaboration with electro-dance duo The Chainsmokers. Their song, “Something Just Like This” is up for three awards.
#46. Best Duo/Group of the Year: Imagine Dragons
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,272,606
Number of nominations: 4
Nominations: Best Duo/Group of the Year, Alternative Rock Song of the Year (for "Believer" and also "Thunder"), Alternative Rock Artist of the Year
The rock group’s big anthemic singles, “Believer” and “Thunder,” are being recognized at the iHeartRadio Music Awards this year, from their third album, Evolve.
#45. Best Remix (for "do re mi" with blackbear): Gucci Mane
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,420,223
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Best Remix (for "do re mi" with blackbear)
Rapper Gucci Mane is being recognized at the iHeartRadio Music Awards this year for the new socially voted category, Best Remix, for his spin on blackbear’s “do re mi.”
#44. Best Fan Army: Little Mix
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,479,390
Number of nominations: 2
Nominations: Best Fan Army, Best Remix (for "Reggaeton Lento" with CNCO)
The X-Factor-created four-piece is nominated for two socially voted categories this year, one being for their enthusiastic fan army, “Mixers,” and the other for their remix of CNCO’s “Reggaeton Lento.”
#43. Male Artist of the Year: Charlie Puth
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,572,306
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Male Artist of the Year
Performing at the ceremony
Charlie Puth’s Voicenotes hasn’t even been released yet, but the singer already has garnered immense success with his singles “Attention” and “How Long,” and will be up for the Male Artist of the Year honor. He will also be performing his hits live at the ceremony.
#42. Latin Song of the Year: Enrique Iglesias
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,586,912
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Latin Song of the Year
Widely regarded as the “King of Latin Pop,” Enrique Iglesias is once again being honored for his dance jam "Súbeme La Radio" this year.
#41. Best New Pop Artist: Liam Payne
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,617,282
Number of nominations: 2
Nominations: Best New Pop Artist, Best Solo Breakout
Since Liam Payne’s break from boy band One Direction, the singer has slipped into a more R&B/hip-hop style, releasing hits such as “Strip That Down” and “Bedroom Floor.” The award for best solo breakout will be one to watch, as all the former members of 1D are in contention.
#40. Cutest Musician’s Pet: Bebe Rexha
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,725,467
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Cutest Musician’s Pet
Bebe Rexha’s singing won’t be up for an award this year — rather, whether fans believe her toy puppy, Bear Rexha, is the cutest musician’s pet.
#39. Hip-Hop Artist of the Year: Future
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,809,800
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
Future’s fifth and sixth studio albums, Future and Hndrxx, were both released a week apart, making Future the first musician to have two albums debut at No. 1 at the same time. He also appeared along with Ed Sheeran on Taylor Swift’s song "End Game," making 2017 a great year for the rapper and garnering him a Hip-Hop Artist of the Year nomination.
#38. Best New Hip-Hop Artist: 21 Savage
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,899,881
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Best New Hip-Hop Artist
21 Savage released his first studio album Issa Album this past year, but much of his nomination for Best New Hip-Hop Artist can be attributed to the meteoric rise of Post Malone’s “Rockstar,” on which the rapper is featured.
#37. Best New Hip-Hop Artist: Lil Uzi Vert
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,949,447
Number of nominations: 2
Nominations: Best New Hip-Hop Artist, Hip-Hop Song of the Year (for "Bad and Boujee" with Migos)
This past year marked Lil Uzi Vert’s breakout year, with the release of his debut album Luv Is Rage 2. The lead single, "XO TOUR Llif3," is the rapper’s highest-charting song as the lead artist, and along with his feature on Migos’ smash hit “Bad and Boujee” is the reason the artist is being recognized this year.
#36. Best Duo/Group of the Year: The Chainsmokers
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,951,074
Number of nominations: 5
Nominations: Best Duo/Group of the Year, Song of the Year & Best Collaboration & Dance Song of the Year (for "Something Just Like This" with Coldplay), Dance Artist of the Year
The dance duo is enjoying another good year, with their most recent hit single “Something Just Like This" with Coldplay getting a good amount of airtime and love from audiences around the world. When it comes to the most popular dance artists of today, The Chainsmokers quickly come to mind.
#35. Rock Artist of the Year: Metallica
Wikipedia pageviews: 2,978,797
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Rock Artist of the Year
The heavy metal band was a household name in the ‘80s, but Metallica proved its continued relevance this past year with the success of their tenth studio album, Hardwired... to Self-Destruct, and accompanying North-American tour, “WorldWired.”
#34. Country Artist of the Year: Blake Shelton
Wikipedia pageviews: 3,027,353
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Country Artist of the Year
Blake Shelton has been busy this year, with the release of his eleventh studio album TexomaShore and with his filming of singing competition The Voice — and with mentee Chloe Kohanski’s win, this marks his sixth victory on the show. Shelton is up for the Country Artist of the Year award.
#33. Best Fan Army (Harmonizers): Fifth Harmony
Wikipedia pageviews: 3,111,798
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Best Fan Army (Harmonizers)
Fifth Harmony’s fans (Harmonizers) are still loyal to the band, despite Camilla Cabello’s departure to start her solo career. They’ll go up against stiff competition for Best Fan Army.
#32. Female Artist of the Year: Alessia Cara
Wikipedia pageviews: 3,123,167
Number of nominations: 3
Nominations: Female Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration & Dance Song of the Year (for "Stay" with Zedd)
Alessia Cara is having a good year, with her dance-pop single with Zedd, “Stay,” nominated for two awards and another nomination for female artist of the year. She is coming into the race with a Best New Artist Grammy award in her pocket as well.
#31. Best Remix (for "Homemade Dynamite" with Khalid, Post Malone and SZA): Lorde
Wikipedia pageviews: 3,135,720
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Best Remix (for "Homemade Dynamite" with Khalid, Post Malone and SZA)
Lorde’s success this year can be widely attributed to her chart-topping album, Melodrama. But at the iHeartRadio Music Awards she’ll be recognized in the Best Remix category for the remix of her song "Homemade Dynamite," featuring Khalid, Post Malone and SZA.
#30. Best Fan Army (EXO-Ls): EXO
Wikipedia pageviews: 3,255,760
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Best Fan Army (EXO-Ls)
The iHeartRadio Music Awards have not overlooked the rising influence of K-pop in American headphones this past year, and now American bands will have to contend with global fandoms in the Best Fan Army category. EXO’s EXO-Ls will be vying to win this award for their beloved boy band.
#29. Male Artist of the Year: Shawn Mendes
Wikipedia pageviews: 3,346,817
Number of nominations: 5
Nominations: Male Artist of the Year, Best Lyrics (for "There’s Nothing Holding Me Back"), Best Cover Song (for "All We Got"), Best Fan Army (Mendes Army), Best Music Video (for "There's Nothing Holding Me Back")
Just looking at crooner Shawn Mendes’ bevy of nominations will give you a clue to how prolific the artist has been recently, with “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back” smashing the charts both sonically and visually in its music video. Between that and his sold-out Illuminate World Tour, he’s a strong contender for Male Artist of the Year.
#28. Best Remix (for "May I Have This Dance" with Francis & The Lights): Chance The Rapper
Wikipedia pageviews: 3,622,858
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Best Remix (for "May I Have This Dance" with Francis & The Lights)
If Chance The Rapper’s three Grammy wins weren’t enough, the unsigned rapper will vie for a win for his remix of Francis & The Lights’ “May I Have This Dance."
#27. Female Artist of the Year: P!NK
Wikipedia pageviews: 3,847,887
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Female Artist of the Year
Last year’s recipient of the Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards and 2018 Super Bowl national anthem singer, P!nk is up for Female Artist of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Her seventh album Beautiful Trauma, led by chart-topping single, “What About Us,” announced her continued dominance as a pop diva.
#26. Female Artist of the Year: Halsey
Wikipedia pageviews: 3,873,636
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Female Artist of the Year
Following her second studio album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom and sold out promotion world tour this past year, Halsey is in the running for Female Artist of the Year. Her singles “Now or Never” and “Bad at Love” are still getting countless hours of airtime.
#25. Hip-Hop Artist of the Year: Drake
Wikipedia pageviews: 4,180,885
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
Actor-turned Grammy Award-winner Drake seems to have something cooking every year, and this year was no different. The rapper released a “playlist” called More Life, and followed it this year with a two-song mini EP, titled Scary Hours, featuring a remix of the Jay-Z song "Family Feud" with Lil Wayne and the chart-topper God’s Plan.
#24. Best Solo Breakout: Harry Styles
Wikipedia pageviews: 4,331,112
Number of nominations: 3
Nominations: Best Solo Breakout, Best Cover Song (for "The Chain"), Best Music Video (for "Sign of the Times")
Harry Styles is a strong contender for Best Solo Breakout, with his self-titled debut solo album receiving high critical and audience praise. His bent after One Direction is in the rock genre, with the ethereal ballad “Sign of the Times” defining this new chapter in his musical career.
#23. Male Artist of the Year: The Weeknd
Wikipedia pageviews: 4,413,764
Number of nominations: 2
Nominations: Male Artist of the Year, R&B Artist of the Year
Armed with the Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album for his album Starboy, the R&B crooner will be hard to beat in the contests for Male Artist of the Year and R&B Artist of the Year.
#22. Latin Artist of the Year: Shakira
Wikipedia pageviews: 4,525,346
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Latin Artist of the Year
The hip-gyrating Latin diva is up for Latin Artist of the Year, thanks to her hit album El Dorado, released earlier last year.
#21. Best New Pop Artist: Logic
Wikipedia pageviews: 4,608,063
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Best New Pop Artist
Logic’s third album, Everybody, was well-received this year, but what really caught the attention of the public was his lead single, "1-800-273-8255." The song’s title is the number for the suicide hotline, and for his first live performance he invited suicide survivors to stand on stage with him.
#20. Hip-Hop Artist of the Year: DJ Khaled
Wikipedia pageviews: 4,652,093
Number of nominations: 5
Nominations: Hip-Hop Artist of the Year, Song of the Year & Best Collaboration & Hip-Hop Song of the Year (for "Wild Thoughts" ft Rihanna and Bryson Tiller), Best Music Video (for "I'm the One")
Performing at the ceremony
DJ Khaled is best known for his larger-than-life social media persona as well as his producing capabilities. The artist helped create one some of the biggest songs of 2017, including "Wild Thoughts," featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller, and “I’m the One,” which featured Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, Quavo, and Chance The Rapper.
#19. Best Music Video (for "Swish Swish"): Katy Perry
Wikipedia pageviews: 5,003,914
Number of nominations: 3
Nominations: Best Music Video (for "Swish Swish"), Cutest Musician's Pet (Nugget), Best Remix (for "Bon Appetit" with Migos and 3LAU)
Katy Perry released her album Witness, went on tour, hosted the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, and will serve as a judge on ABC's revival of American Idol later this year. Her music video for “Swish Swish” (allegedly a diss track to Taylor Swift) her dog Nugget ,and a remix of “Bon Appetit” are up for awards this year.
#18. Best Fan Army (Lovatics): Demi Lovato
Wikipedia pageviews: 5,160,439
Number of nominations: 4
Nominations: Best Fan Army (Lovatics), Dance Song of the Year (for "No Promises" with Cheat Codes), Best Music Video (for "Sorry Not Sorry"), Cutest Musician's Pet (Batman)
Pop princess Demi Lovato is up for four awards, including one for the video for “Sorry Not Sorry,” her biggest hit to date (peaked at No. 6) from her latest album, Tell Me You Love Me. Her social following, “Lovatics,” will also fight for supremacy this awards season.
#17. Best New Pop Artist: Camila Cabello
Wikipedia pageviews: 5,181,951
Number of nominations: 5
Nominations: Best New Pop Artist, Best Cover Song (for "Say You Won't Let Go" with Machine Gun Kelly), Best Fan Army (Camilizers), Best Solo Breakout, Best Remix (for "Havana" with Daddy Yankee)
Performing at the ceremony
The artist is on her own this year, having recently left her girl group Fifth Harmony and released her self-titled debut solo album. She’ll be performing her work at the show and vying for awards for her hit single “Havana” and for her fan army, “Camilizers.”
#16. Hip-Hop Song of the Year (for "HUMBLE."): Kendrick Lamar
Wikipedia pageviews: 5,496,805
Number of nominations: 3
Nominations: Hip-Hop Song of the Year (for "HUMBLE."), Best Collaboration ("Don't Wanna Know" with Maroon 5), Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
The Grammy winner this year will look to rack up more accolades at the iHeartRadio Awards Ceremony, thanks to his wildly successful album DAMN.
#15. R&B Song of the Year (for "Redbone"): Childish Gambino
Wikipedia pageviews: 5,555,466
Number of nominations: 2
Nominations: R&B Song of the Year (for "Redbone"), R&B Artist of the Year
Actor Donald Glover’s rap persona Childish Gambino hopes to win again for “Redbone,” which won for Best Traditional R&B Performanceat the Grammy Awards this year. His R&B/funk album, Awaken, My Love! may have seemed like a departure from his usual hip-hop style, but it produced the hit singles "Me and Your Mama" and "Terrified,” along with “Redbone.”
#14. Best Duo/Group of the Year: Migos
Wikipedia pageviews: 5,617,532
Number of nominations: 4
Nominations: Best Duo/Group of the Year, Hip-Hop Song of the Year (for "Bad and Boujee" ft Lil Uzi Vert), Hip-Hop Artist of the Year, Best Remix (for "Bon Appetit" with Katy Perry and 3LAU)
The rap trio Migos is up for four awards in hip-hop and best group overall, mostly thanks to the wild popularity of their song "Bad and Boujee" featuring Lil Uzi Vert, off of their recent album Culture II.
#13. Female Artist of the Year: Rihanna
Wikipedia pageviews: 5,658,985
Number of nominations: 5
Nominations: Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year & Best Collaboration & Hip-Hop Song of the Year (for "Wild Thoughts" with DJ Khaled and Bryson Tiller), R&B Artist of the Year
The domination of Rihanna didn’t relent in 2017, with the singer winning a Grammy for her feature on Kendrick Lamar's single, "Loyalty." She was also featured on "Wild Thoughts," with DJ Khaled and Bryson Tiller. Following her Grammy-nominated album ANTI, the singer is currently working on a new album – until then, hear her rap in N.E.R.D.’s single “Lemon.”
#12. Best Fan Army (Smilers): Miley Cyrus
Wikipedia pageviews: 5,665,092
Number of nominations: 3
Nominations: Best Fan Army (Smilers), Best Music Video (for "Malibu"), Cutest Musician's Pet (Pig Pig)
Miley Cyrus is up for three awards, two of which are determined by her social following. Her pig, “Pig Pig,” is a contender for cutest pet, and her music video for her lead single “Malibu” off of Younger Now is also in the running.
#11. Best Music Video (for "New Rules"): Dua Lipa
Wikipedia pageviews: 5,710,300
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Best Music Video (for "New Rules")
Dua Lipa’s rise to pop stardom was heavily fueled by her self-titled album and her video for “New Rules,” in which she and other women support each other and dance in a hotel room.
#10. Hip-Hop Song of the Year (for "Rockstar"): Post Malone
Wikipedia pageviews: 5,855,525
Number of nominations: 2
Nominations: Hip-Hop Song of the Year (for "Rockstar"), Best Remix (for "Homemade Dynamite" with Lorde, Khalid, and SZA)
Post Malone may be fairly new to hip-hop stardom, but he seems to continuously make hit-after-hit — the first being “Rockstar, his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His album Beerbongs & Bentleys is due to drop this year.
#9. Best Fan Army (Selenators): Selena Gomez
Wikipedia pageviews: 6,604,611
Number of nominations: 3
Nominations: Best Fan Army (Selenators), Best Music Video (for "Bad Liar"), Dance Song of the Year (for "It Ain't Me" with Kygo)
Though Selena Gomez has been largely quiet this past year due to her battle with Lupus, the singer has managed to release three singles, two of which (“Bad Liar” and “It Ain’t Me”) will be up for awards.
#8. Best Fan Army (BTS Army): BTS
Wikipedia pageviews: 6,713,437
Number of nominations: 2
Nominations: Best Fan Army (BTS Army), Best Boy Band
Those unfamiliar with the world of K-pop may be wondering why a boy band is the eighth most popular of all the nominated artists at the iHeartRadio Music Awards this year. In fact, the seven-piece is insanely popular throughout the world, and is slowly but surely climbing into the playlists of Americans as well. BTS is known for their dynamic music videos that show off their dancing and singing, and also for their fiercely loyal fans, known as “Army.”
#7. Female Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
Wikipedia pageviews: 6,870,361
Number of nominations: 5
Nominations: Female Artist of the Year, Best Lyrics & Best Music Video (for "Look What You Made Me Do"), Best Fan Army ("Swifties"), Cutest Musician's Pet (Olivia)
"Look What You Made Me Do," off of Taylor Swift’s album Reputation, is up for two awards this year, and continues to play on the airwaves everywhere. Her adoring fans and Insta-famous cat Olivia are also contenders for separate awards.
#6. Best Fan Army (Beliebers): Justin Bieber
Wikipedia pageviews: 7,097,336
Number of nominations: 5
Nominations: Best Fan Army (Beliebers), Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Remix (all three for "Despacito," with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee), Best Remix (for "Friends" with BloodPop and Julia Michaels)
Justin Bieber may not have released an album last year, but he certainly still has the Midas touch — his guest appearances on tracks throughout 2017 made the songs soar in popularity, from the summer reggaeton jam “Despacito” to his collaboration with BloodPop and Julia Michaels on “Friends.”
#5. Best Remix (for "Mi Gente" with J Balvin and Willy William): Beyoncé
Wikipedia pageviews: 7,602,911
Number of nominations: 1
Nominations: Best Remix (for "Mi Gente" with J Balvin and Willy William), note that "Mi Gente" was also nominated for Latin Song of the Year, and J Balvin was nominated for Latin Artist of the Year
Beyoncé has proved again that her influence is unlike any other artist — her addition to the already popular “Mi Gente” sent the single skyrocketing to even greater heights. With her addition, the song reached number one on the Hot Latin Songs chart, ending "Despacito"'s 35-week reign.
#4. Song of the Year (for "That's What I Like"): Bruno Mars
Wikipedia pageviews: 8,245,175
Number of nominations: 5
Nominations: Song of the Year (for "That's What I Like"), Male Artist of the Year, R&B Song of the Year (for "That's What I Like"), R&B Artist of the Year, Best Music Video (for "That's What I Like")
The big winner at the Grammy’s this year, Bruno Mars is ready to grab more victories at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, thanks to his hit single “That’s What I Like” off of 24K Magic.
#3. Hip-Hop Song of the Year (for "Bodak Yellow"): Cardi B
Wikipedia pageviews: 8,784,500
Number of nominations: 4
Nominations: Hip-Hop Song of the Year (for "Bodak Yellow"), Best New Hip-Hop Artist, Best Lyrics, Best Music Video (both for "Bodak Yellow")
Performing at the ceremony
The Love & Hip Hop: New York alum saw what felt like overnight success with her megahit “Bodak Yellow,” an unapologetic rap anthem with a groovy hook. When "Bodak Yellow” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Cardi B became the first solo female rapper to land a debut chart-topping hit since Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)" in 1998. You won’t want to miss her performance at the awards ceremony.
#2. Best Fan Army (Arianators): Ariana Grande
Wikipedia pageviews: 9,722,901
Number of nominations: 2
Nominations: Best Fan Army (Arianators), Cutest Musician's Pet (Toulouse)
Ariana Grande’s popularity is largely thanks to her beloved and popular songs, powered by her incredible vocals. Most recently, she’s been on tour promoting her most recent album, Dangerous Woman. But the second-most popular artist to be recognized at the iHeartRadio Music Awards will be in competition for Cutest Musician's Pet (her dog Toulouse) and for Best Fan Army (Arianators).
#1.Song of the Year (for "Shape of You"): Ed Sheeran
Wikipedia pageviews: 11,161,120
Number of nominations: 5
Nominations: Song of the Year (for "Shape of You"), Male Artist of the Year, Best Lyrics (for "Perfect"), Best Cover Song (for "Touch"), Best Music Video (for "Shape of You")
Performing at the ceremony
The most popular artist to be recognized at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards is the British crooner Ed Sheeran, whose most recent album (and lead single “Shape of You”) was honored with two Grammy Awards this year. At the iHeartRadio Music Awards, he’s nominated five times for top awards and will also delight the audience with a performance.
