Highlights of the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards
The 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards celebrated the music industry’s biggest achievements throughout the year. After a year of lockdown, many talented artists were honored for the work they created during their time at home. Singer-songwriter Usher hosted the eventful ceremony at the Dolby Theatre.
ARIANA GRANDE AND THE WEEKND WTF THAT WAS INSANE #iHeartAwards pic.twitter.com/bkebIGQ7bq— kiki (@battleorlove) May 28, 2021
The night kicked off with a stunning performance from The Weeknd and Ariana Grande, where they performed the “Save Your Tears” remix. Although the set was dark with navy blue tones, fans couldn’t help but notice the big smiles on both of their faces as fans sang along to the chorus and applauded Grande’s impressive high notes.
It’s been an eventful week for The Weeknd as he took home awards for Male Artist of the Year and Song of the Year with “Blinding Lights.” He once again teased his new, upcoming era to hype fans up for his upcoming tour and new music.
Demi Lovato, H.E.R, and Brandi Carlile teamed up for an iconic tribute performance to honor Elton John. The singer-songwriter handpicked all three artists, and they did not disappoint. They made sure to bring energy and entertainment to the stage as they performed some of John’s biggest hits, such as “Bennie and the Jets,” “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” and “I’m Still Standing.” The three mixed their personal styles with pieces representing John, like his infamous square-framed sunglasses.
H.E.R, Demi and Brandi blew me away oml 💀💖💗🥺 #brandicarlile #HER #DemiLovato #iHeartAwards #iHeartAwards2021 #EltonJohn— 🖤🦋 Cassiopeia 🦋🖤 (@cassie33queen) May 28, 2021
Fans gave significant props to Doja Cat, the New Pop Artist recipient, as she came through with another astounding performance. Doja Cat played into everyone’s newfound fascination with UFOs as she performed her hits, “Say So,” “Streets,” and “Kiss Me More” with aliens. Yes, aliens.
Doja Cat really is the moment she puts all the effort in every single performance making it different and flawless each time #iHeartAwards
pic.twitter.com/AvI8ov2vMT— , (@vibeney) May 28, 2021
At the end of the night, fans got nostalgic as R&B superstar Usher took the stage to perform a medley of his greatest hits including, “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” and the 2000s classic “Yeah!” featuring Lil Jon, who joined the host on stage for the performance.
In addition to the energetic performances, artists received recognition for their hard work throughout the year. Megan Thee Stallion was the first winner of the night, where she won Best Collaboration for the “Savage” remix featuring Beyonce. She made sure to thank God and all the hot girls for helping her get to where she is today.
See the full list of winners below.
Song of the Year:
“Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd – WINNER
“Circles” – Post Malone
“Don’t Start Now” – Dua Lipa
“ROCKSTAR” – DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
“Watermelon Sugar” – Harry Styles
Female Artist of the Year:
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Dua Lipa – WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion
Taylor Swift
Male Artist of the Year:
Harry Styles
Justin Bieber
Post Malone
Roddy Ricch
The Weeknd – WINNER
Best Duo/Group of the Year:
BTS
Dan + Shay – WINNER
Jonas Brothers
Maroon 5
twenty one pilots
Best Collaboration:
“Go Crazy” – Chris Brown & Young Thug
“Holy” – Justin Bieber featuring Chance the Rapper
“I Hope” – Gabby Barrett featuring Charlie Puth
“Mood” – 24kGoldn featuring iann dior
“Savage” (Remix) – Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé – WINNER
iHeartRadio Icon Award:
Elton John – WINNER
Best Pop Album:
Taylor Swift – folklore – WINNER
Best New Pop Artist:
24kGoldn
blackbear
Doja Cat – WINNER
JP Saxe
Pop Smoke
Alternative Rock Album of the Year:
Machine Gun Kelly – Tickets To My Downfall – WINNER
Alternative Rock Song of the Year:
“Bang!” – AJR
“Bloody Valentine” – Machine Gun Kelly
“everything i wanted”- Billie Eilish
“Level Of Concern” – twenty one pilots – WINNER
“Monsters” – All Time Low featuring blackbear
Alternative Rock Artist of the Year:
AJR
All Time Low
Billie Eilish
Cage the Elephant
twenty one pilots – WINNER
Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist:
Ashe
Dayglow
Powfu – WINNER
Royal & The Serpent
Wallows
Rock Album of the Year:
AD/DC – Power Up – WINNER
Rock Song of the Year:
“Death By Rock And Roll” – The Pretty Reckless
“Patience” – Chris Cornell
“Shame Shame” – Foo Fighters – WINNER
“Shot In The Dark” – AC/DC
“Under The Graveyard” – Ozzy Osbourne
Rock Artist of the Year:
AC/DC
Five Finger Death Punch
Ozzy Osbourne
Shinedown
The Pretty Reckless – WINNER
Country Album of the Year:
Luke Combs – What You See Ain’t Always What You Get – WINNER
Country Song of the Year:
“Even Though I’m Leaving” – Luke Combs
“I Hope” – Gabby Barrett
“Nobody But You” – Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani
“One Margarita” – Luke Bryan
“The Bones” – Maren Morris – WINNER
Country Artist of the Year:
Blake Shelton
Luke Bryan
Luke Combs – WINNER
Maren Morris
Thomas Rhett
Best New Country Artist:
Ashley McBryde
Gabby Barrett – WINNER
HARDY
Ingrid Andress
Jameson Rodgers
Dance Album of the Year:
Diplo – Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley, Chapter 1: Snake Oil – WINNER
Dance Song of the Year:
“Head & Heart” – Joel Corry x MNEK
“ily (i love you baby)” – Surf Mesa featuring Emilee
“Lasting Lover” – Sigala & James Arthur
“Rain On Me” – Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande
“Roses” (Imanbek Remix) – SAINt JHN – WINNER
Dance Artist of the Year:
Anabel Englund
Diplo
Marshmello – WINNER
Surf Mesa
Tiësto
Hip-Hop Album of the Year:
Lil Baby – My Turn – WINNER
Hip-Hop Song of the Year:
“High Fashion” – Roddy Ricch featuring Mustard
“Life Is Good” – Future featuring Drake
“ROCKSTAR” – DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
“Savage” (Remix) – Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé
“The Box” – Roddy Ricch – WINNER
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year:
DaBaby
Lil Baby
Megan Thee Stallion
Pop Smoke
Roddy Ricch – WINNER
Best New Hip-Hop Artist:
Jack Harlow
Moneybagg Yo
Pop Smoke
Rod Wave
Roddy Ricch – WINNER
R&B Album of the Year:
Jhene Aiko – Chilombo – WINNER
R&B Song of the Year:
“B.S.” – Jhené Aiko featuring H.E.R.
“Go Crazy” – Chris Brown & Young Thug – WINNER
“Heat” – Chris Brown featuring Gunna
“Playing Games” – Summer Walker
“Slide” – H.E.R. featuring YG
R&B Artist of the Year:
Chris Brown
H.E.R. – WINNER
Jhené Aiko
Snoh Aalegra
Summer Walker
Best New R&B Artist:
Chloe x Halle
Lonr.
Mahalia
Skip Marley
Snoh Aalegra – WINNER
Latin Pop/Reggaeton Album of the Year:
Bad Bunny – YHLQMDLG – WINNER
Latin Pop/Reggaeton Song of the Year:
“Caramelo” – Ozuna
“Dákiti” – Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez
“Hawái” (Remix) – Maluma & The Weeknd
“RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)” – Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin
“Tusa” – KAROL G & Nicki Minaj – WINNER
Latin Pop/Reggaeton Artist of the Year:
Bad Bunny
J Balvin – WINNER
KAROL G
Maluma
Ozuna
Best New Latin Artist:
Chesca
Jay Wheeler
Natanael Cano
Neto Bernal
Rauw Alejandro – WINNER
Regional Mexican Album of the Year:
Christian Nodal – AYAYAY! – WINNER
Regional Mexican Song of the Year:
“Palabra De Hombre” – El Fantasma
“Se Me Olvidó” – Christian Nodal – WINNER
“Sólo Tú” – Calibre 50
“Te Volvería A Elegir” – Calibre 50
“Yo Ya No Vuelvo Contigo” – Lenin Ramírez featuring Grupo Firme
Regional Mexican Artist of the Year:
Banda Los Sebastianes
Calibre 50
Christian Nodal – WINNER
Edwin Luna y La Trakalosa de Monterrey
Gerardo Ortíz
Producer of the Year:
Andrew Watt
Dr Luke
Frank Dukes
Louis Bell
Max Martin – WINNER
Songwriter of the Year:
Ali Tamposi
Amy Allen
Ashley Gorley – WINNER
Dan Nigro
Finneas
Best Lyrics (Socially Voted Category):
“Adore You” – Harry Styles – WINNER
“Before You Go” – Lewis Capaldi
“Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
“cardigan” – Taylor Swift
“Don’t Start Now” – Dua Lipa
“everything i wanted”- Billie Eilish
“I Hope” – Gabby Barrett featuring Charlie Puth
“If The World Was Ending” – JP Saxe featuring Julia Michaels
“Intentions” – Justin Bieber featuring Quavo
“Life Is Good” – Future featuring Drake
Best Cover Song (Socially Voted Category):
“Adore You” (Harry Styles) – Lizzo cover – WINNER
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” (Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons) – Shawn Mendes cover
“Fix You” (Coldplay) – Sam Smith cover
“Heart Of Glass” (Blondie) – Miley Cyrus cover
“Juice” (Lizzo) – Harry Styles cover
Best Fan Army (Socially Voted Category)
#Agnation – Agnez Mo
#Arianators – Ariana Grande
#Beliebers – Justin Bieber
#BLINK – BLACKPINK
#BTSARMY – BTS – WINNER
#Harries – Harry Styles
#Limelights – Why Don’t We
#Louies – Louis Tomlinson
#MendesArmy – Shawn Mendes
#NCTzens – NCT 127
#Selenators – Selena Gomez
#Swifties – Taylor Swift
Best Music Video (Socially Voted Category):
“Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
“Don’t Start Now” – Dua Lipa
“Dynamite” – BTS – WINNER
“Hawái” – Maluma
“How You Like That” – BLACKPINK
“Life Is Good” – Future featuring Drake
“Rain On Me” – Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande
“WAP” – Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion
“Watermelon Sugar” – Harry Styles
“Yummy” – Justin Bieber
Social Star Award (Socially Voted Category):
Dixie D’Amelio
Jaden Hossler
LILHUDDY
Nessa Barrett
Olivia Rodrigo – WINNER
Tate McRae
Favorite Music Video Choreography (Socially Voted Category):
BTS – Son Sung Deuk – WINNER
“34+35” (Ariana Grande) – Scott & Brian Nicholson
“Do It” (Chloe x Halle) – Kendra Bracy & Ashanti Ledon
“Honey Boo” (CNCO & Natti Natasha) – Kyle Hanagami
“Physical” (Dua Lipa) – Charm La’Donna
“Rain On Me” (Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande) – Richy Jackson
“Say So” (Doja Cat) -Cortland Brown
“WAP” (Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion) – JaQuel Knight
“Bop” (DaBaby) – Coach Cherry & DaniLeigh
TikTok Bop of the Year (Socially Voted Category):
“Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd – WINNER
“Lottery (Renegade)” – K CAMP
“Savage” – Megan Thee Stallion
“Savage Love” (Laxed-Siren Beat) – Jawsh 685, Jason Derulo
“Say So” – Doja Cat
“WAP” – Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion
Titanium Song of the Year:
The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights” – WINNER
Titanium Artist of the Year
The Weeknd – WINNER
Label of the Year:
Republic Records – WINNER
Writer | Tweet me @brittanyskylerr
