Music’s Hottest Night airs live Nov 21st on ABC
MRC Live & Alternative and ABC have announced that global superstar Cardi B will host the 2021 American Music Awards (AMAs) live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 21st at 8 pm EST/PST on ABC and streaming next day on Hulu. For the first time ever, the rapper will take the stage in her hosting debut to usher in music’s hottest night of the year, which will feature showstopping performances and moments representing music’s vibrant community.
“When I received the invite to host the AMAs, I was so excited,“ the rapper shares. “I’m ready to bring my personality to the AMAs stage! Thank you to Jesse Collins, ABC and MRC for making this happen.”
“We are immensely excited to have the dynamic Cardi B bring her infectious energy to the American Music Awards as a first-time host,” states executive producer Jesse Collins. “She will excite the viewers, push the limits and deliver a show that will be remembered forever!”
A five-time AMA winner, Cardi B is no stranger to the American Music Awards having performed “I Like It” in 2018 with J Balvin and Bad Bunny. Forever the Icon, the rapper also made history during her last AMAs appearance, becoming the first female rapper to win Favorite Hip Hop Song twice.
Cardi B will join a long lineage of global superstar AMA hosts – Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Murphy, Jimmy Kimmel, Britney Spears, LL Cool J, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Tracee Ellis Ross, Lionel Richie, and last year’s host Taraji P. Henson, to name a few.
As it approaches its semi-centennial anniversary next year, the AMAs represents the top achievements in music, as determined by the fans. A vibrant night of non-stop music, the AMAs features a powerful lineup featuring first-time collaborations and exclusive world premiere performances from music’s biggest names – from Pop to Rap to R&B to Country to Latin to K-Pop – and more, as well as memorable moments that live on in pop culture.
As the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, the AMAs will air globally across a footprint of linear and digital platforms in over 120 countries and territories.
Olivia Rodrigo makes her AMAs debut by leading the nominations with seven, including Artist of the Year and New Artist of The Year, reaching the top-nominee spot. Five-time AMA winner The Weeknd earned six nominations. The superstar will go up against Rodrigo in the Artist of the Year category, as well as Favorite Music Video and Favorite Pop Song.
Voting is now open and this year, for the first time ever, fans can vote for all AMA categories, once per category per day, globally on TikTok by searching for “AMAs” in-app.
Nominees are based on key fan interactions – as reflected on the Billboard charts – including streaming, album sales, song sales and radio airplay. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partner MRC Data, and cover the time period September 25, 2020, through September 23, 2021. The American Music Awards winners are voted entirely by fans.
The 2021 American Music Awards is sponsored by Xfinity. Tickets are now on sale now at axs.com.
