EMINEM led the way with four awards during the 30th annual AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS held last night (January 13) in LOS ANGELES.
The Detroit rapper took home awards for Favourite Album in both the Pop/Rock and Hip-Hop/R&B categories for ‘The Eminem Show’ and also Favourite Male Artist in both categories. Other multiple winners included Ashanti, Creed and Dixie Chicks with two awards each.
Hosted by The Osbournes, the show got off to an interesting and censored-riddled start with Sharon Osbourne chatting to former ‘friends’ Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. “Why aren’t you two gorgeous people together?” she asked the two seated far apart in the front row. ‘I’m going to have to take him, Britney! He’s all mine!'” Jack then went and sat on Britney‘s lap while Kelly sat on Justin’s. Later on Sharon also asked Timberlake to ‘kiss her Minnie!’
Creed took home awards for Favourite Alternative Artist as well as Favourite Group in the Pop/Rock category. Ashanti, who was the only multiple winner present at the show, won for Favourite New Artist in the Pop/Rock category and also won the same award in the Rap/Hip-Hop category. The Dixie Chicks won for Favourite Country Group and Favourite Country Album for ‘Home’.
Performers included Tim McGraw and Elton John opening the show with ‘Tiny Dancer’ while Bobby Brown helped out Ja Rule on ‘Thug Lovin’. But three performances from three divas stood out. Christina Aguilera opted for the conservative diva look during a medley of ‘Impossible’ and ‘Beautiful’. Shania Twain literally took her title track ‘Up!’ to the balcony level via a large staircase, shaking hands and giving high-fives during the tune. Finally Mariah Carey performed ‘Through The Rain’ with a large string section and gospel choir. Sharon Osbourne said of Carey: “She sings like a motherfucker and has the best booby job I’ve ever seen!”
For most of the evening though The Osbournes were rather well behaved. Ozzy Osbourne appeared on only a handful of occasions, including once to introduce former neighbour Pat Boone and to sit on the steps as Kelly Osbourne performed ‘Shut Up’. Kelly and Jack, who sported a fedora for the entire evening, read most of the introductions. The awards are based on a poll of 20,000 record buyers with nominees decided by radio airplay and retail sales.
The winners were:
Favourite Male Artist (Pop/Rock) – Eminem
Favourite Female Artist (Pop/Rock) — Sheryl Crow
Favourite Band, Duo or Group (Pop/Rock) – Creed
Favourite Album (Pop/Rock) – Eminem ‘The Eminem Show’
Favourite New Artist (Pop/Rock) – Ashanti
Favourite Male Artist (Hip-Hop/R&B) – Eminem
Favourite Female Artist (Hip-Hop/R&B) — Mary J. Blige
Favourite Band, Duo or Group (Hip-Hop/R&B) – OutKast
Favourite Album (Hip-Hop/R&B) – Eminem ‘The Eminem Show’
Favourite New Artist (Hip-Hop/R&B) – Ashanti
Favourite Male Artist (Country) – Tim McGraw
Favourite Female Artist (Country) – Martina McBride
Favourite Band, Duo or Group (Country) – Dixie Chicks
Favourite Album (Country) – Dixie Chicks ‘Home’
Favourite New Artist (Country) – Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Favourite Artist (Adult Contemporary) – Celine Dion
Favourite Artist (Latin) – Enrique Iglesias
Favourite Artist (Contemporary Inspirational) – Avalon
Favourite Soundtrack – ‘Spider-Man’
Fan’s Choice Award – Nelly
Michael Jackson International Artist of the Year – Madonna
American Music Award of Merit – Alabama