This morning, the American Music Awards (AMA’s) announced the full list of nominations for their 2025 program, which will be hosted by Jennifer Lopez on Monday, May 26th at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.
Much like the Grammies, AMA covers all genres, ranging from pop and hip-hop to Latin and rock. Obviously, we’re going to be focusing on the country selections here, and I must say, they are rough.
Leading the way for country artists are the likes of Post Malone (8), Shaboozey (7), Morgan Wallen (6), Zach Bryan (5), Jelly Roll (3), Luke Combs (3) and, much to the chagrin of fans, Beyoncé (2). Noticeably missing from the nominees include genre staples such as Cody Johnson, Riley Green, Chris Stapleton, Zach Top and Miranda Lambert.
Looking further into the nominations and specifically which categories some artists are nominated in, heads begin to scratch. Most notably, Zach Bryan has not one but three separate rock nods for Favorite Rock Artist, Favorite Rock Song (“Pink Skies”) and Favorite Rock Album (The Great American Bar Scene). In fact, the “Something in the Orange” singer does not have a single nomination in the country genre.
Koe Wetzel received similar treatment, scoring one country nomination (Favorite Country Song – “High Road”) and one rock nomination (Favorite Rock Album – 9 Lives).
As expected, fans are not too happy with the nominations. Whether it’s Zach Bryan’s confusing presence in the rock category, Beyoncé’s two separate nods in country (Favorite Female Country Artist, Favorite Country Album) or the absence of Zach Top and Riley Green, our followers sounded off in the comments.
As previously mentioned, a lot of people were confused by Bryan’s presence in the rock categories. Despite charting fairly consistently on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative charts, there’s no justifying placing him with the likes of Green Day, Linkin Park and Pearl Jam.
“In what world is the Great American Bar Scene a rock album”
“The great American bar scene was not a rock album”
“Rock music is in a desperate state these days”
The Zach Top snub, in particular, was the biggest disservice of the award show. After scoring nominations for Album of the Year and Best New Male Artist at the upcoming ACM Awards, many expected the “I Never Lie” singer to be in the mix for at least one award.
“Where is Zach Top 🤨“
“Zach Top got snubbed, Cold Beer and Country Music should be up there for album of the year”
“Beyonce in country but not Zach top. What a disgrace”
“Why does country music hate Zach Top?
“Zach top up for no awards because he plays ACTUAL country music lol. This generation only appreciates pop country 🤦♂️”
Riley Green was also noticeably absent despite scoring major buzz with viral hits such as “Worst Way” and “Jesus Saves” in addition to his feature on Ella Langley’s “you look like you love me.”
“Where’s RG?
“Why Riley is not nominated in any category??? This is not fair 😡“
Of course, Beyoncé’s presence in the country category did not sit well with fans. Despite going on record saying Cowboy Carter was not a country album but instead a “Beyoncé” album, all-genre award shows have frequently placed it among other country projects. This time, the AMAs were no different.
“Why are we nominating Beyoncé? She is not country !!!”
“The fact Beyoncé is nominated blows my mind”
“Give me a break on Beyoncé my god go away”
“Beyoncé is not f*ckin country man”
“so beyoncé isn’t country, hope that helps, can we for the love of God stop nomination her for these things?? she’s not country, and she’s never going to be with those awful songs”
“Get Beyonce the hell off of these country lists”
It seems as if the only nomination people could agree on and celebrate was none other than The Red Clay Strays’ nod for Favorite Country Duo or Group, with many pointing out that it was the best pick of the show.
“Red Clay Strays or bust.”
“At least Red Clay Strays got a nom I guess. These f*cking suck”
“If The Red Clay Strays don’t get group duo it’ll be added to the pile of bullsh*t these awards have just p*ssed on. They are perfect. If you’ve seen them you’d know.”
“If the Red clay st[r]ays don’t win it’s rigged”
NOMINATIONS INCLUDING COUNTRY ARTISTS:
Artist of the Year
- Ariana Grande
- Billie Eilish
- Chappell Roan
- Kendrick Lamar
- Morgan Wallen
- Post Malone
- Sabrina Carpenter
- SZA
- Taylor Swift
- Zach Bryan
Favorite Touring Artist
- Billie Eilish
- Luke Cimbs
- Morgan Wallen
- Taylor Swift
- Zach Bryan
Favorite Male Country Artist
- Jelly Roll
- Luke Combs
- Morgan Wallen
- Post Malone
- Shaboozey
Favorite Female Country Artist
- Beyoncé
- Ella Langley
- Kacey Musgraves
- Lainey Wilson
- Megan Moroney
Favorite Country Duo or Group
- Dan + Shay
- Old Dominion
- Parmalee
- The Red Clay Strays
- Zac Brown Band
Favorite Country Song
- “I Am Not Okay” – Jelly Roll
- “High Road” – Koe Wetzel & Jessie Murph
- “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
- “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone & Morgan Wallen
- “A Bar Song (Tipsy) – Shaboozey
Favorite Country Album
- Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
- Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going – Shaboozey
- Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
- F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
- Beautifully Broken – Jelly Roll
Favorite Rock Album
- Unreal Unearth: Unending – Hozier
- The Great American Bar Scene – Zach Bryan
- 9 Lives – Koe Wetzel
- Clancy – Twenty One Pilots
- Submarine – The Marías
Favorite Rock Song
- “Pink Skies” – Zach Bryan
- “Dilemma” – Green Day
- “Too Sweet” – Hozier
- “The Emptiness Machine” – Linkin Park
- “Stargazing” – Myles Smith
Favorite Rock Artist
- Zach Bryan
- Linkin Park
- Hozier
- Twenty One Pilots
- Pearl Jam