The 2021 American Music Awards will air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 21, at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST on ABC, with streaming available the following day on Hulu. Cardi B makes her hosting debut this year, joining a packed evening of performances, tributes and special moments.

Among the performers set to appear in the “My Hometown” segments are a mix of established headliners and contemporary stars. Country collaborators Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean will reunite to present a special performance of their duet “If I Didn’t Love You,” underscoring their Southern roots and the hometown influences that shaped their careers. Their appearance is positioned to blend the personal stories behind the music with a live showcase of the song fans have embraced.

Kane Brown will take viewers to an important educational and cultural setting by performing at Tennessee State University, a prominent Historically Black College and University (HBCU). His segment will offer an up-close look at the regional connections and personal journey that informed his sound, culminating in a performance of his hit “One Mississippi” on campus.

In a highly anticipated collaboration, Boston icons New Edition and New Kids on the Block will share the stage for the first time in what organizers are billing as a memorable “Battle of Boston.” Both groups bring deep ties to the city and decades-long careers, and their joint appearance is set to celebrate that shared heritage and the influence of their hometown on pop and R&B music.

These performances join previously announced artists, including global superstar Bad Bunny, who will deliver the world premiere performance of “Lo Siento BB:/,” and BTS, who will appear with Megan Thee Stallion for a televised debut of “Butter.” Rising star Olivia Rodrigo is also slated for her first AMAs performance, rounding out a roster designed to showcase both established acts and breakthrough talent.

The “My Hometown” format is intended to give fans more than just a staged performance: viewers can expect intimate storytelling, archival footage or on-location segments that illuminate how local communities, family members and early mentors contributed to each artist’s development. By linking the music to the places and people that nurtured it, the AMAs aim to create emotional moments that resonate beyond the stage.

Fans worldwide can participate in selecting winners: voting for all awards is open globally through TikTok. Supporters are able to cast one vote per category each day by searching for “AMAs” within the TikTok app. This voting mechanic gives audiences a daily opportunity to back their favorites and influence the outcome.

As the show approaches, viewers can look forward to a blend of live performances, exclusive television premieres and narrative-driven segments that celebrate musical roots. With Cardi B at the helm as host and a lineup that bridges genres and generations, the 2021 AMAs are positioning themselves as both an awards show and a cultural showcase of where today’s artists came from and how their hometowns helped shape their paths.

Additional program notes and any last-minute performer updates typically come from the show’s producers and network announcements. On the broadcast night, fans can tune in live on ABC and find the full show available on Hulu the next day for on-demand viewing.