HYBE swallowed one of the three major U.S. popular music awards, the American Music Awards (AMA). Led by BTS's defense of its grand prize, global monster rookie KATSEYE and pop star Tyla together swept up a total of eight trophies, proving chairman Bang Si-hyuk's K-pop methodology to the global music market.
The 52nd American Music Awards (AMA), held on the 25th (local time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, U.S., was truly a festival of HYBE family artists. They showed unrivaled influence by spanning not only K-pop but mainstream music genres such as pop, R&B and afrobeats.
What shone brightest at this awards ceremony was the achievements of the core artists of HYBE labels. Of the major "big 4" categories that symbolize the AMA's history and authority, as many as two trophies were taken by HYBE-affiliated labels (BigHit Music, HYBE-Geffen Records).
First, 21st century pop icon BTS seized the highest honor, artist of the year, reaffirming an unrivaled stature. In addition to best male K-pop artist, they also won song of the summer with "SWIM," the title track from their fifth full-length album "ARIRANG" released last March, earning them three awards.
HYBE's global girl group KATSEYE also lifted the new artist of the year trophy. After winning breakthrough pop artist and with the global hit "Gnarly (Nalri)," they added best music video, showing a frightening ability to reach the three-award mark alongside BTS.
Pop star Tyla's performance, demonstrating HYBE's expansion of genre territory, was also outstanding. Tyla, managed by HYBE America, won social song of the year with the mega-hit that swept short-form and social media, "CHANEL (Chanel)," and swept best afrobeats artist as well, achieving two awards.
This was a moment when HYBE's exceptional infrastructure and supporting firepower, which lead not only as a simple K-pop agency but also trends in global pop, R&B and afrobeats markets, shone.
Observers say the AMA clean sweep of eight awards is the perfect fruit of chairman Bang Si-hyuk's long-pursued "multi-home, multi-genre" strategy. Chairman Bang's foresight in transplanting K-pop's sophisticated production system into the global market and breaking down regional and genre boundaries hit the center of the global popular music world.
Artists also expressed deep trust and gratitude toward the HYBE ecosystem in their acceptance remarks. BTS said, "We thank everyone, including our producer 'hitman' bang (Bang Si-hyuk)," and KATSEYE also said, "We are especially grateful to Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and the HYBE-Geffen Records team, and to senior BTS for inspiring us to represent on the global stage," showing strong family ties and adding warmth.
HYBE currently operates 16 independent labels organically across four regions worldwide—Korea, the United States, Japan and Latin America—changing the paradigm of the music market. Having dominated 2026 with record-breaking achievements, all eyes around the world are on what unprecedented new legends they will write next.
[Photo] 'American Music Awards' official Instagram, HYBE America
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