Recording artist Drake walks to the stage to accept the Favorite Artist - Rap/Hip Hop" award during the 2016 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California, US, November 20, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Drake, 30, who got a leading 13 nominations, won best rap/hip-hop artist, song and album for his best-selling Views, which earlier this year became the first album to earn one billion streams on Apple Music.

"For our genre, I like to keep things exciting and keep making music... more like this is coming soon," Drake said, accepting the award.

But pop singer Grande, 23, was chosen artist of the year, beating Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Gomez.

"I can't believe this. I am shaking with nerves," she said. "I hope that I can bring joy to you and make you feel unified and happy."