The iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025, held on March 17 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, celebrated the biggest names in the music industry across various genres. Hosted by LL Cool J, the event was packed with unforgettable performances, heartwarming moments, and, of course, a long list of winners. Some of the most anticipated categories included Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Collaboration, with artists like Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, and SZA all vying for top honors.
This year, Taylor Swift led the nominations with an impressive 10 nods, and she proved her dominance by taking home the coveted Artist of the Year award, beating out fierce competition from Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and others. Sabrina Carpenter also had a stellar night, winning Pop Artist of the Year, while Billie Eilish took home the Album of the Year award for HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.
In addition to the fiercely competitive categories, a few legendary artists were honored for their remarkable careers. Lady Gaga was presented with the Innovator Award for her groundbreaking contributions to music, while Mariah Carey received the Icon Award, acknowledging her lasting impact on the music industry. The night was filled with excitement as these music icons were celebrated for their innovative and lasting contributions to the art form.
The night’s big winners included:
Song of the Year:
WINNER: “Beautiful Things” – Benson Boone
Other nominees included “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter and “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims.
Pop Song of the Year:
WINNER: “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
Other nominees included “Agora Hills” by Doja Cat and “Greedy” by Tate McRae.
Artist of the Year:
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Other nominees included Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Post Malone.
Best Collaboration:
WINNER: “Die With A Smile” – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
Other nominees included “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen and “Fortnight” by Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone.
Breakthrough Artist of the Year:
WINNER: Gracie Abrams
Best New Artist (Pop):
WINNER: Teddy Swims
R&B Artist of the Year:
WINNER: SZA
Other nominees included Chris Brown, Usher, and Muni Long.
Hip-Hop Song of the Year:
WINNER: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
Other nominees included “Like That” by Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar, and “TGIF” by GloRilla.
Best New Artist (Hip-Hop):
WINNER: BossMan Dlow
Country Artist of the Year:
WINNER: Jelly Roll
Other nominees included Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, and Kane Brown.
Rock Artist of the Year:
WINNER: Shinedown
Other nominees included Green Day, Linkin Park, and Metallica.
Dance Song of the Year:
WINNER: “360” – Charli XCX
Other nominees included “Chase It (Mmm Da Da Da)” by Bebe Rexha and “Water” by Tyla x Marshmello.
Latin Pop / Urban Artist of the Year:
WINNER: FEID
Other nominees included Karol G, Shakira, and Bad Bunny.
Regional Mexican Artist of the Year:
WINNER: Peso Pluma
Other nominees included Grupo Frontera and Los Ángeles Azules.
As the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025 came to a close, it was clear that the night belonged to artists who have made waves in the music industry with their innovative sound and dedication to their craft. From Taylor Swift’s dominance in the pop and country genres to the rise of new stars like Sabrina Carpenter and BossMan Dlow, the event showcased the diverse and ever-evolving landscape of modern music.
For those who missed out on the ceremony, the night proved to be a testament to the industry’s incredible talent and the artists who continue to push the boundaries of their craft.