The 2018 annual iHeart Radio Music Awards took place on March 11th at the Los Angeles Forum. The 5th year of this ceremony, the Radio Music Awards continue to celebrate the most popular songs of the year, along with new and old artists such as Rihanna and Imagine Dragons. Hosted by DJ Khaled and Hailey Baldwin, the commemoration was something to remember.

Ed Sheeran, definitely the most popular artist of the night, won Song of the Year for “Shape of You,” Male Artist of the Year, Pop Album of the Year for “Divide,” and Most Hyped Up Song also for “Shape of You.” Sadly, he was not at the ceremony that night, so he did the next best thing by delivering a live acceptance speech from Melbourne, Australia, followed by a performance of his new hit song “Perfect” as a thank you to his fans. Coincidentally, Sheeran’s long-time friend Taylor Swift won Female Artist of the Year. Swift was also not at the ceremony because she was too busy preparing for her Reputation tour. She gave her acceptance speech through video and as a thanks, played a clip of her pre-recorded music video for “Delicate,” which was released on March 12th.

There were quite a few “Best New” awards given out throughout the night, starting with Best New Artist and Best New Hip Hop Artist, which went Cardi B. Niall Horan won Best New Pop Artist, Luke Combs won Best New Country Artist, Best New Latino Artist went to Ozuna, Best New Regional Mexican Artist went to Christian Nodal, and Best New R&B Artist went to Khalid.

In the country genre, Song of the Year went to Sam Hunt’s “Body like a Back Board,” Artist of the Year went to Thomas Rhett, and Album of the Year went to Chris Stapleton from “A Room: Volume One.” In the dance category, Song of the Year went to Zedd and Alessia Cara’s “Stay,” which was debuted in the movie Everything, Everything. Artist of the Year went to Chainsmokers. Chainsmokers also won Best Dance Album for “Memories…Do Not Open.”

In the genre of alternative rock, Song of the Year was “Feel it Still” by Portugal. The Man, Artist of the Year went to Imagine Dragons, and Alternative Rock Album went to Imagine Dragons for their album “Evolve.” Best Rock Artist was Metallica (which was very well deserved), Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist went to Judah & The Lion while the Rock Album of the Year went to Lincoln Park for their song “One More Light.” Now onto to hip hop, the genre of teens, they say. Kendrick Lamar won both Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for “Damn.” Bruno Mars won Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “That’s What I Like.” Khalid, the uprising R&B artist and the host of the awards won Album of the Year for “American Teen” and Hip Hop song of the Year for “Wild Thoughts,” a collaboration with Bryson Tiller and Rihanna. In his speech, he thanked Rihanna, Tiller, and his son Asad. Rihanna also took home an award for her hit “Love on the Brain.”

With a category specifically for Latino/a singers, Song of the Year was “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee and Album of the Year went to Shakira for “El Dorado.” Luis Fonsi also won Latino Artist of the Year. Regional Mexican Song of the Year went to Christian Nodal’s “Adios Amor” and Regional Mexican Artist of the Year went to Calibre 50.

With performances by Cardi B, G-Eazy, Kehlani, and Eminem, the ceremony was coming to a close. Before it was all over, it was time for some superlatives. Cutest Musician’s Pet went to Ariana Grande’s dog Toulouse, Best Boy Band and Fan Army went to BTS, Best Fan Girls went to Camila Cabello, Innovated Award went to Chance the Rapper, and Icon Award went to Bon Jovi, who is still one of the greatest artists of all time.

While all the awards presented throughout the night were very well deserved, the best ones would probably have to be Best Lyrics going to Niall Horan’s “Slow Hands,” Best Cover Song and Music Video going to Harry Styles for “The Chain” and for “Sign Of The Times,” and Louis Tomlinson winning an award for Best Solo Breakout. I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t think the band is getting back together.

A lot of rising artists won many honorable awards tonight and I think congratulations are in order for all of them, creating a long-lasting legacy for themselves.