The American Music Award for Artist of the Year, which is the most prestigious award of the night, has been awarded since 1996. Years reflect the year during which the awards were presented, for works released in the previous year (until 2003 onward, when awards were handed out on November of the same year). The all-time biggest winner in this category is Taylor Swift with 7 wins. Swift is also the most nominated artist with 9 nominations, the first artist ever to be nominated in the category for five years in a row and the only act to win the award for three years in a row.