- celebrityabc // Flick
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.
- 1 / 50Stefan Brending // Wikimedia Commons
#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.
- 2 / 50The Come Up Show // Flickr
#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.
- 3 / 50christopher simon // Wikimedia Commons
#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.
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- 4 / 50Wikipedia
#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.
- 5 / 50Tuomas Vitikainen // Wikimedia Commons
#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.
- 6 / 50Jamie Lamor Thompson // Shutterstock
#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.”
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- 7 / 50flicky T // Flickr
#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.”
- 8 / 50Jeff Terrell // Wikimedia Commons
#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.
- 9 / 50s_bukley // Shutterstock
#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.
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- 10 / 50Kurt Kulac // Wikimedia Commons
#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.