Taylor Swift, Maroon 5 and fun. top the list of Billboard Award nominees with 11 nods each. These nominations mark a rare moment where three acts spanning pop, rock, and indie-tinged anthems share the lead—signaling broad appeal across radio formats, streaming platforms, and live tours. Swift’s latest run of chart-toppers, Maroon 5’s enduring voice in mainstream pop-rock, and fun.’s distinctive energy have all resonated with diverse audiences, earning them a wide swath of nominations across categories that recognize both songcraft and stage presence. The Billboard Awards lean toward recognizing contemporary impact, chart longevity, and cross-genre versatility, and the 11 nominations signal that each artist has grown into an industry pillar. This year’s roster also highlights the growing influence of pop acts that can blend catchy hooks with memorable performances on big nights. Along with the trio at the top, a slate of other stars shows how crowded the field is for the awards, with categories spanning Top Artist, Top New Artist, and a range of genre-specific honors that celebrate the best of the music scene right now. The breadth of nominations underscores how these artists have shaped the sound of popular music for fans across North America.
Swift and Maroon 5 are also nominated for the highly coveted Top Artist prize at this year’s ceremony. The Top Artist award is widely regarded as the most prestigious trophy because it honors not just a single release, but a season of work that connects with listeners across platforms. Analysts note that Swift’s current momentum—built by high-profile singles, blockbuster tours, and a highly engaged fan base—puts her in a strong position to claim the prize. Maroon 5, meanwhile, has demonstrated remarkable staying power, evolving with each album while keeping a consistent hit-making streak that resonates with a broad audience. The discussions around this category are often as much about cultural resonance as about chart performance, and the outcome tends to reflect the artists who have defined the year’s musical conversation. For fans and industry watchers alike, the Top Artist nomination signals continued influence and the ability to translate broad appeal into lasting acclaim on the biggest night in Billboard’s calendar.
Rihanna also boasts nominations in ten categories including Top Artist, a testament to her ongoing relevance across pop, R&B, and global markets. Her sustained presence on radio, streaming playlists, and award show stages keeps her at the center of conversations about contemporary pop stardom. Carly Rae Jepsen, often cited as Canada’s breakout success, earned nine nominations including Top Pop Song, Top Hot 100 Song, and Top Radio Song for Call Me Maybe. The story of Jepsen’s breakout single remains a touchstone for many listeners who discovered her through a catchy hook and a personality-first moment on stage and screen. The breadth of Rihanna’s nominations and Jepsen’s chart-topping success illustrate Billboard’s interest in recognizing both long-established influence and fresh, viral breakthroughs that redefine what a hit looks like in the streaming era. The range of categories underscores how a single track or artist can impact multiple facets of the industry—from radio airplay to streaming to live performances—creating a multi-year footprint on the awards stage.
One Direction nabbed eight nominations and will be competing with Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, and Justin Bieber for the Top Artist category, a group of performers known for turning strong fan support into mainstream cultural moments. Their journey from global teen sensations to mature pop stars has kept them in heavy rotation on radio, social feeds, and stage shows, which helps explain their eight nominations across several categories. They will also face off against Psy, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Gotye for Best New Artist, a category that often spotlight emerging talents who go on to shape the next wave of pop and rock. The competition in Best New Artist highlights how quickly listeners shift attention as new melodies, visuals, and stories capture public imagination. The blend of veteran chart-toppers and breakout acts in this portion of the field reflects Billboard’s aim to celebrate both established influence and fresh energy that can redefine the year’s soundscape.
Other musicians nominated include Bruno Mars, Skrillex, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, and deadmau5, cementing a cross-section of genres from soulful funk to EDM-heavy anthems. The breadth of names points to a season where dance floors, radio airwaves, and streaming playlists all buoy different styles, and where collaboration and production play as big a role as vocal prowess. The awards lineup demonstrates how dance floor-ready hooks, soaring vocals, and boundary-pushing production continue to drive the pop music conversation. For readers seeking the full list of nominees, Billboard supplies a complete breakdown with category-by-category details and historical context. While the ceremony remains a celebration of chart achievements, it also reflects ongoing shifts in how music is created, shared, and consumed across North America. The full roster illustrates the dynamic landscape of contemporary popular music and serves as a window into the artists likely to shape the next wave of hits.