The past year was a big one for the music industry, with some of the world’s top-selling artists like BTS, Taylor Swift, and Ariana Grande releasing much-anticipated albums. The American Music Awards recently recognized their new material, as each artist was nominated for the Artist of the Year award together with Drake, The Weeknd, and Olivia Rodrigo. 

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In the end, it was BTS that took home the prestigious award, become the first Asian artist to do so, and left the awarding ceremonies with three trophies, tied for the most among all nominees. To celebrate an eventful year in music, we look back at some of the top songs released by these bestselling artists and pair them with some of Boozy’s best drinks that you can get on affordable deals. 

1. BTS x Kanto Popcorn Vodka 700ml

Image from independent.co.uk

The South Korean boy band was the big winner at the AMAs, picking up three awards and performing two of their hit songs, “My Universe” with Coldplay and “Butter,” which received the Favorite Song - Pop recognition. Together with their equally popular 2020 single “Dynamite,” BTS continued to break new ground and reap critical and commercial success, including a nomination for the 2022 Grammy Awards. 

Meanwhile, a drink that is also gathering acclaim among drinkers is the Kanto Popcorn Vodka, which is a homage to the Filipinos’ unique tagayan drinking style. It is meant to be shared with friends, as drinking alcohol is a social event for many Filipinos. It blends sugar cane vodka and muscovado sugar as well as a Party popcorn flavor, creating a unique taste that is perfect for listening and dancing to the hits of this chart-topping group!

2. Taylor Swift x Campari Negroni RTD 500ml

Image from Pitchfork

She may not have won the Artist of the Year award, but Taylor Swift nevertheless continued her dominance at the AMAs, picking up two awards. Swift continued to flex her songwriting skills with her albums Folklore and Evermore in 2021 while breathing new life into her back catalog after releasing re-recordings of her albums Fearless (Taylor’s Version) and Red (Taylor’s Version) this year. Her 10-minute re-recording of the single “All Too Well” proved popular in particular, as well as “Red” and “Nothing New,” which are songs from her classic 2012 album. 

Image from @campariph

A classic album like Swift’s Red is best paired with a classic drink, and the Campari Negroni RTD is just that. It is a classic Italian cocktail made with sweet vermouth, Campari, and gin, which creates a delicious staple with just the right mix of bitterness and effervescence, which is perfect for listening to some of her biggest hits of the past year. 

3. The Weeknd x Engkanto Lager 330ml Bundle of 8 + FREE Glass

Image from bbci.co.uk

The Weeknd is another winner at the AMAs, picking up the Favorite Male Artist - R&B recognition on the strength of his 2020 album, After Hours. The album received critical and commercial success, and produced hits such as the chart-topping “Blinding Lights,” and other popular singles “Heartless” and “Save Your Tears.” While the album was seen as a reinvention of the artist, what remains is his smooth and crisp vocals that have been one of The Weeknd’s staples.

Image from @engkantobrewery

Similarly, the Engkanto Lager is a drink that can be described as dry and crisp, with hints of lime and tropical fruit, and is a staple of the Engkanto brand. This lager is sold in bundles of eight, and purchasing them on the Boozy website gives customers a free glass for their next drink whether by themselves or with friends or relatives. 

4. Drake x Dewar's Japanese Smooth 750ml

Image from billboard.com

With one of the year’s most anticipated hip-hop releases in Certified Lover Boy, Drake announced his return to the top of the charts. The album, which spawned singles such as “Way 2 Sexy,” “Knife Talk,” and “Fair Trade,” continues the Canadian rapper’s success as one of today’s bestselling artists, which helped him win Favorite Male Artist - Hip-Hop at the AMAs.  As with his previous releases, Drake once again showcases his ability to smoothly adapt to trends, genres, and other contemporary artists. 

As its name suggests, the Dewar’s Japanese Smooth can be characterized as a smooth drink that offers a Japanese oak cask finish. It is a true representation of the Japanese highball and is an elegant, chilled, and effervescent drink that is perfect for listening to Drake’s biggest hits. 

5. Olivia Rodrigo x 19 Crimes Shiraz 750ml Bundle of 2

A seven-time nominee at the AMAs and the winner of the New Artist of the Year award, Olivia Rodrigo was already the star of the High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, but made her breakthrough with the release of her album Sour. The album, which produced singles like the chart-topping “Driver’s License,” “Deja Vu,” and “good 4 u,” proved that her voice and songwriting skills are a force to be reckoned with at just 18 years old. 

Similar to Rodrigo’s music, the 19 Crimes Shiraz is also easy to like. With a rich, bold palate and subtle sweetness, and a smooth, lingering finish, this wine is perfect for alone time at home or on a night outwit friends and family, as it can be bought in bundles of two on Boozy. It has notes of vanilla that are complemented by flavors of plums, raspberries, and chocolate to create a balanced and round-mouth feel that drinkers will love! 

The year has seen several of the world’s top artists produce quality songs that the AMAs have noticed and recognized, whether it’s the catchy hits of BTS or the nostalgic and melancholy songs of Taylor Swift. And one way to enjoy the music of the year’s best artists is to have a glass from Boozy’s selection of your favorite alcoholic drinks!