The 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards were handed out Sunday night, live from the “Fabulous” Forum in Los Angeles. Hosted by Hailey Baldwin and DJ Khaled, the event featured performances from Ed Sheeran, Eminem featuring Kehlani, Cardi B featuring G-Eazy, Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, Camila Cabello, Charlie Puth and N.E.R.D. Out of all the performances, Eminem grabbed the headlines for blasting the NRA during his song “Nowhere Fast.” Em was introduced by Alex Moscou, a survivor last month’s shooting in Parkland, FL.
Taylor Swift also debuted her brand new video for the single “Delicate,” while Pharrell presented Chance the Rapper with the 2018 iHeartRadio Innovator Award. Camila Cabello was given the first-ever Fangirls Award and Bon Jovi received the first-ever iHeartRadio Icon Award.
Ed Sheeran (Photo: Greg Williams)
Sheeran won for Song of the Year with his smash hit “Shape of You” and he was also named Male Artist of the Year. Swift was named Female Artist of the Year while Maroon 5 won for Best Duo/Group of the Year. Cardi B was named Best New Artist as well as Best New Hip-Hop Artist and Niall Horan won as Best New Pop Artist. “Something Just Like This” from The Chainsmokers and Coldplay earned Best Collaboration. The Chainsmokers also were named Dance Artist of the Year. Harry Styles won for Best Cover Song (“The Chain”) and Best Music Video (“Sign of the Times”).
Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars added more awards to his collection as R&B Artist of the Year as well as R&B Song of the Year for “That’s What I Like.” Best New R&B Artist was given to Khalid. Hip-Hop Artist of the Year went to Kendrick Lamar. Hip-Hop Song of the Year was “Wild Thoughts” from DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller.
Portugal. The Man‘s smash “Feel It Still” was named Alternative Rock Song of the Year and Imagine Dragons won as Alternative Rock Artist of the Year. Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist was Judah & The Lion. Metallica won as Rock Artist of the Year and “Run” by Foo Fighters won for Rock Song of the Year.
Other notable winners included Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee, BTS, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zedd & Alessia Cara, Sam Hunt and Ariana Grande‘s dog Toulouse.
Additionally, iHeartRadio unveiled the Titanium Award, which recognized artists who have reached a threshold of a billion Total Audience Spins. This calculation is based on certified Mediabase airplay and is multiplied by the number of persons listening to the radio at the time of those plays, delivering total audience impression count. Winners of the award included Ed Sheeran; Bruno Mars; The Chainsmokers and Coldplay; James Arthur; Zedd and Alessia Cara; Charlie Puth; Shawn Mendes; Kygo and Selena Gomez; Imagine Dragons; Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee; Maroon 5; Rihanna; Niall Horan; Sam Hunt; Zayn and Taylor Swift; DJ Snake; and DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Bryson Tiller as well as French Montana.
