American Music Award for Best R&B Song
Music award for soul/R&B since 1974
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The American Music Award for Best R&B Song (formerly known as Favorite Soul/R&B Single 1974-1995 and Favorite Song – Soul/R&B 1996-2025) has been awarded since 1974. While the start and end dates for the usage of the category Favorite Black Single are unclear, in 1985 the name was used for the award Prince was given for his single When Doves Cry.[1] The category was retired for over a decade in 1995, before returning in the 2016 ceremony. Years reflect the year in which the awards were presented, for works released in the previous year (until 2003 onward when awards were handed out on November of the same year). The all-time winners for this category are Michael Jackson and Bruno Mars, both with 3 wins. The latter is also the most nominated artist. Singers Diana Ross, Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston share the record for most wins by a female artist in the category with two each.
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| American Music Award for Best R&B Song | |
|---|---|
| |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | American Music Awards |
| First award | 1974 |
| Currently held by | SZA – "Saturn" |
| Most wins | (3 each) |
| Most nominations | Bruno Mars (5) |
| Website | theamas.com |
Winners and nominees
1970s
1980s
1990s
2010s
| Year | Artist | Song | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 (44th) | |||
| Rihanna (featuring Drake) | "Work" | [6] | |
| Drake (featuring Wizkid and Kyla) | "One Dance" | ||
| Bryson Tiller | "Don't" | ||
| 2017 (45th) | |||
| Bruno Mars | "That's What I Like" | [7] | |
| Khalid | "Location" | ||
| The Weeknd (featuring Daft Punk) | "Starboy" | ||
| 2018 (46th) | |||
| Bruno Mars (featuring Cardi B) | "Finesse (Remix)" | [8] | |
| Ella Mai | "Boo'd Up" | ||
| Khalid | "Young Dumb & Broke" | ||
| 2019 (47th) | |||
| Khalid | "Talk" | [9] | |
| Lizzo | "Juice" | ||
| Ella Mai | "Trip" |
2020s
| Year | Artist | Song | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 (48th) | |||
| The Weeknd | "Heartless" | [10] | |
| Chris Brown (featuring Drake) | "No Guidance" | ||
| Summer Walker | "Playing Games" | ||
| 2021 (49th) | |||
| Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak) | "Leave the Door Open" | [11] | |
| Chris Brown and Young Thug | "Go Crazy" | ||
| Giveon | "Heartbreak Anniversary" | ||
| H.E.R. | "Damage" | ||
| Jazmine Sullivan | "Pick Up Your Feelings" | ||
| 2022 (50th) | |||
| Wizkid (featuring Tems) | "Essence" | [12] | |
| Muni Long | "Hrs and Hrs" | ||
| Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak) | "Smokin out the Window" | ||
| SZA | "I Hate U" | ||
| Beyoncé | "Break My Soul" | ||
| 2023 – 24 | N/a | ||
| 2025 (51th) | |||
| SZA | "Saturn" | [13] | |
| Chris Brown | "Residuals" | ||
| Muni Long | "Made for Me" | ||
| The Weeknd and Playboi Carti | "Timeless" | ||
| Tommy Richman | "Million Dollar Baby" | ||
| 2026 (52nd) |
Bruno Mars | "I Just Might" | [14] |
| Chris Brown (featuring Bryson Tiller) | "It Depends" | ||
| Kehlani | "Folded" | ||
| Leon Thomas | "Mutt" | ||
| Mariah the Scientist | "Burning Blue" | ||
Category facts
Multiple wins
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Multiple nominations
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