The first-ever iHeart Radio Music Awards broadcast live Thursday on NBC from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The show aired over 150 iHeart radio stations across the country, and 60 million votes were cast for several categories of this awards show.
“Clear Channel is the biggest music company in the world by reach, so for us to finally have a show where we celebrate and reward artists of the year that have really excelled — it’s about time,” said Clear Channel president John Sykes.
Rihanna was the big winner of the night taking home four awards, including artist and song of the year.
Performers included Pitbull, Luke Bryan, Bastille, 30 Seconds to Mars, Kendrick Lamar, Ariana Grande, Blake Shelton, Ed Sheeran, Shakira and Arcade Fire.
Pharrell Williams received iHeart Radio’s innovator award with Beyonce, Oprah, Usher, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato and Shakira speaking of Williams and his contributions to music in video messages.
“He was the person who made it cool to just be you,” said Beyonce.
Williams took to the stage to do what he does best and performed a medley of songs including “Blurred Lines,” “Get Lucky” and “Happy.”
Gwen Stefani then presented the award to Williams, who was visibly emotional and took a minute to soak in the moment.
“You gotta believe in something bigger than yourself,” he said. “I never dreamt in a million years as a producer that I would be standing here as an artist.”
Jared Leto and 30 Seconds to Mars performed their hit song “City of Angels.” During the performance, video clips featuring Kanye West, Selena Gomez and Olivia Wilde aired while they spoke on their dreams and the city of Los Angeles.
“The new album (“Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams”) has been a break through of sorts. It kind of put us on a different path and I think shattered a lot of expectations,” Leto said on the red carpet. He also talked his music doc “Artifact,” telling Variety, “It taught us the lesson of a lifetime which is it’s always important to fight for what you believe in.”
During the show, artists like Steven Tyler, Jason Derulo, Rita Ora and Adam Levine also told their L.A. story.
John Legend wrote love song “All of Me” here in L.A about his supermodel wife, Chrissy Teigen. “We met on a video shoot, so that’s an L.A. story,” he laughed. “My love affair with L.A. started with my love affair with my wife.”
The world premiere of the late Michael Jackson’s new song “Love Never Felt So Good” was aired with Usher performing to it in tribute.
Kendrick Lamar, a Los Angeles native, also performed and repped the West Coast with the Tupac and Dr. Dre anthem “California Love.”
“Breaking Bad’s” Aaron Paul, via video message, introduced Arcade Fire who performed from the Roxy. “I love each and every one of you beautiful bitches,” said Paul. “People love it when I say bitch.”
BEST LYRICS: “Wrecking Ball” – Miley Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus accepted daughter Miley Cyrus’ award for best lyrics with “Wrecking Ball.”
Hip Hop/R&B Song of the Year: “Pour It Up” – Rihanna
Rihanna was unable to accept her award. iHeartRadio tweeted that Rihanna was stuck in traffic on the 405.
Here’s a LA story for you: TRAFFIC. @Rihanna is actually stuck on the 405 Freeway on her way to the #iHeartAwards!—
(@iHeartRadio) May 02, 2014
Best Fan Army: Rihanna Navy – Rihanna
“This award is for the fans,” said Rihanna, who finally made it to the show.
She thanked her fans for embracing her as who she is.
“It’s not easy, what we do. It’s very difficult at times. I never felt comfortable being anything other than myself,” said Rihanna.
“Rihanna Navy or die,” she shouted.
Alternative Rock Song of the Year: “Demons” – Imagine Dragons
On the red carpet the band talked the importance of radio: “Radio is huge. We played small bars across the U.S. for three years and we slowly saw growth. But, when radio picked us up as a young band and believed in us, we saw exponential buys in our fans. They’ve been strong supporters.”
Song of the Year: “Stay” – Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko
Back on stage, Rihanna said,”Thanks to radio for playing my music. This record wouldn’t have been this big if it wasn’t for you.”
Country Song of the Year: “Boys ‘Round Here” – Blake Shelton
Shelton thanked country radio and expressed his happiness for having two songs nominated so he could finally beat fellow nominee Luke Bryan.
Artist of the Year: Rihanna
Full list of Nominations/Winners
Artist of the Year:
· Imagine Dragons
· Justin Timberlake
· Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
· Maroon 5
· Rihanna (WINNER)
Best Lyrics:
· “Wake Me Up” – Avicii (Vocals by Aloe Blacc)
· “I Love It” (featuring Charli XCX) – Icona Pop
· “Say Something” – A Great Big World
· “Same Love” – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
· “Wrecking Ball” – Miley Cyrus (WINNER)
Best Collaboration:
(Most voted on category with more than 3.9 million votes cast)
· “Holy Grail” – Jay Z featuring Justin Timberlake
· “Stay” – Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko
· “Suit & Tie” – Justin Timberlake featuring Jay Z
· “The Monster” – Eminem featuring Rihanna
· “Timber” – Pitbull featuring Kesha (WINNER)
Hip Hop/R&B Song of the Year:
· “Blurred Lines” – Robin Thicke featuring T.I. & Pharrell
· “Hold On We’re Going Home” – Drake featuring Majid Jordan
· “Holy Grail” – Jay Z featuring Justin Timberlake
· “Pour It Up” – Rihanna (WINNER)
· “Started from the Bottom” – Drake
Song of the Year:
· “Hold On, We’re Going Home” – Drake featuring Majid Jordan
· “Mirrors” – Justin Timberlake
· “Radioactive” – Imagine Dragons
· “Stay” – Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko (WINNER)
· “The Monster” – Eminem featuring Rihanna
Best New Artist:
· Florida Georgia Line
· Icona Pop
· Imagine Dragons
· Lorde (WINNER)
· Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
· Passenger
Country Song of the Year:
· “Boys ‘Round Here” – Blake Shelton (WINNER)
· “Highway Don’t Care” – Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift
· “It Goes Like This” – Thomas Rhett
· “Mine Would Be You” – Blake Shelton
· “That’s My Kind of Night” – Luke Bryan
EDM Song of the Year:
· “Get Lucky” Daft Punk featuring Pharrell
· “Stay the Night” – Zedd featuring Hayley Williams
· “Summertime Sadness” – Zedd featuring Hayley Williams
· “Sweet Nothing” – Calvin Harris featuring Florence Welch
· “Wake Me Up” – Avicii (WINNER)
Alternative Rock Song of the Year:
· “Demons” – Imagine Dragons (WINNER)
· “Do I Wanna Know?” – Arctic Monkeys
· “Pompeii” – Bastille
· “Royals” – Lorde
· “Safe and Sound” – Capital Cities
Best Fan Army:
· Arianators – Ariana Grande
· Little Monsters – Lady Gaga
· Lovatics – Demi Lovato
· Mahomies – Austin Mahone
· Rihanna Navy – Rihanna (WINNER)
· Swifties – Taylor Swift