November 24, 2008 18:32

Kanye West, Chris Brown dominate American Music Awards

West steals the show with his acceptance speech

Photo Gallery: Kanye West
Photo: Pa Photos

Chris Brown, Kanye West, Rihanna and Alicia Keys were the big winners at the American Music Awards last night (November 23).

Although Brown took home three awards and the others snagged two apiece, it was West who stole the show with his acceptance speech.

"I wake up every morning thinking, 'What stereotypes do I wanna break?'" he said. "It's up to artists to push one another. We'll push each other to be the new Beatles, the new Hendrix…I wanna be Elvis."

West, who performed at the Los Angeles ceremony along with Pink (and was introduced by a slurring Scott Weiland), Mariah Carey, New Kids On The Block, Leona Lewis and Coldplay, took home the gongs for Favourite Male Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Favourite Rap/Hip-Hop Album for 'Graduation'.

Carey received an honorary award for the most Number One hits (beating the record set previously by Elvis Presley).

Annie Lennox also received an honorary award. "I never thought I'd live to see the day that I could be 53 years old standing on a stage," she said when Justin Timberlake presented her with the trophy. "It's been an incredible journey. Music: my friend, my accompaniment through life."

Other winners included Linkin Park, who were named Favourite Alternative Rock Artist, and Daughtry, who earned the Favourite Pop Or Rock Music Band Award.

The winners of the American Music Awards are selected by the public via online voting.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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