Taylor Swift Could Make AMA History This Year — But She’s Not the Only Artist Chasing a Record
The 2026 American Music Awards could bring major firsts for Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Tyla, and more.
The 2026 American Music Awards could turn into a record-breaking night.
Taylor Swift leads this year’s nominations with eight nods, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Music Video, Song of the Summer, Best Female Pop Artist, Best Pop Song, and Best Pop Album. The 52nd AMAs air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, May 25, on CBS and Paramount+, with Queen Latifah hosting.
But Swift is not the only artist with history on the line.
According to data compiled by VegasInsider.com, more than 20 AMA records could be broken or extended this year, including possible firsts for Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Tyla, KATSEYE, and Beyoncé.
Here are some of the biggest records to watch.
Taylor Swift Could Extend Her All-Time AMA Record
Swift is already the most awarded artist in American Music Awards history, with 40 wins. Guinness World Records notes that she reached that total at the 2022 AMAs, widening her lead over Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.
If she wins all eight awards she is nominated for this year, her AMA total would jump to 48. That would make her lead even harder to touch.
It would also continue one of the more ridiculous award-show streaks in modern pop music. Even by Swift standards, 48 AMAs would be wild.
She Could Also Tie a One-Night Record Held by Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston
Swift has another big record within reach.
VegasInsider.com notes that Michael Jackson won eight AMAs in one night in 1984, while Whitney Houston won eight in 1994. Since Swift is nominated for eight awards in 2026, a clean sweep would tie that single-night record.
That is obviously a very big “if.” Award shows rarely go that neatly, even for someone with Swift’s fanbase.
Still, she is nominated across several major categories, so this is one of the night’s easiest storylines to watch.
Kendrick Lamar Could Make Artist of the Year History
Kendrick Lamar is nominated for Artist of the Year, and a win would be significant beyond the trophy itself.
According to VegasInsider.com’s analysis, Lamar could become the first hip-hop artist to win Artist of the Year at the AMAs.
That would be a major moment for the category, especially given how central hip-hop has been to popular music for decades.
Bad Bunny Could Become the First Latin Artist to Win Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny is also nominated for Artist of the Year, and his potential win would come with its own milestone.
VegasInsider.com reports that he could become the first Latin artist to win the AMAs’ Artist of the Year category. He could also extend his record in Best Male Latin Artist, where he has already won four times.
Bad Bunny has already crossed over in a way that few artists have, so this would feel less like a surprise and more like the AMAs catching up to what has been obvious for years.
Justin Bieber Could Become the First Male Artist to Win Artist of the Year Three Times
Justin Bieber is also in the Artist of the Year race.
He previously won the category in 2010 and 2012, according to VegasInsider.com. If he wins again in 2026, he would become the first male artist to win Artist of the Year three times.
That would put him in rare company, even in a category stacked with repeat nominees.
Beyoncé Could Set a Tour of the Year Record
Beyoncé is nominated for Tour of the Year for her “Cowboy Carter” tour.
If she wins, VegasInsider.com says she would become the first solo artist to win Tour of the Year multiple times. She previously won the category for her “Formation World Tour.”
Given how much conversation followed “Cowboy Carter” and its live rollout, this is one of the more interesting non-Artist of the Year records to watch.
Tyla Could Make History in R&B
Tyla is nominated for Best Female R&B Artist.
A win would make her the first South African artist to win that category, according to VegasInsider.com. She could also become one of the first artists to win Best Afrobeats Artist multiple times if she takes that category as well.
For an artist who has already had a rapid global rise, either win would add another marker to her breakout era.
KATSEYE Could Score a First for All-Female Groups
KATSEYE has two possible firsts on the table.
VegasInsider.com notes that the group could become the first all-female group to win New Artist of the Year. They could also become the first all-female group to win Best Music Video (nominated for “Gnarly).
That gives the group one of the stronger “new artist making history” angles of the night.
The AMAs Could Be More Than a Taylor Swift Night
Swift is the obvious headline going into the 2026 AMAs. Eight nominations, 40 past wins, and a possible single-night record tie make that hard to ignore.
But the more interesting part of this year’s ceremony may be how many different kinds of records are in play. A Kendrick Lamar win would be historic for hip-hop. A Bad Bunny win would be historic for Latin music. Beyoncé, Tyla, KATSEYE, and Justin Bieber all have their own records within reach.
So yes, Swift may be the biggest name to watch. But she is far from the only artist who could leave Las Vegas with a history-making win.
And if you’re following Swift’s latest record-breaking streak beyond the AMAs, her latest album has already been making history in a very big way.
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Should be an amazing awards show!
Let’s be honest. Taylor Swift is one of a kind!
I would like to check out her concert sometime. Thanks for sharing.