Chris Brown was the big winner at the 2008 American Music Awards Sunday night (November 23rd) taking home the Artist Of The Year award. Brown said, “I would have gave it to Coldplay. I’m at a loss for words. I just want to thank all the fans, I really love you with all my heart.” Brown also won for Best Male Soul/R&B artist and Best Male Pop/Rock Artist.
Coldplay started out the night with four nominations, but they failed to win a single award. In addition to Artist Of The Year, they were up for Favorite Pop/Rock Duo or Group, Favorite Album Pop/Rock for Viva La Vida and Favorite Alternative Rock Duo Or Group.
It was a great night for Kanye West, who won at the awards for the very first time. He picked up Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album for Graduation and Favorite Male Rap/Hip Hop Artist. West — who’s been very vocal in the past when he’s felt snubbed at various awards show — said he wanted to give the second award to fellow nominee Lil’Wayne instead of keeping it for himself.
Rihanna also picked up two awards, one for Favorite Female Soul/R&B Artist — her second in a row — and another for Favorite Female Pop/Rock Artist. Alicia Keys had started out the night leading with five nominations, and took home Favorite Pop/Rock album and Favorite Soul/R&B album for As I Am.
Other winners included Jonas Brothers for t-Mobile Breakthrough Artist, Daughtry for Favorite Pop/Rock Duo Or Group, Taylor Swift for Favorite Female Country Artist, Brad Paisley for Favorite Male Country Artist, Rascal Flatts for Favorite Country Duo Or Group, Linkin Park for Alternative Artist and Jordin Sparks for Adult Contemporary Artist.
Annie Lennox, who won an Award Of Merit for her artistic and humanitarian work accompanied herself on piano in a powerful performance of her song “Why.” This was the first time she has performed since undergoing back surgery in August. The 53-year-old easily stole the show from the younger performers and earned a standing ovation from the crowd. Lennox graciously thanked her Eurythmics band mate, Dave Stewart, when she accepted her award. Her award was presented by special “surprise” guest Justin Timberlake.
It was definitely ladies night, with performances by teen stars Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift; Beyonce, the Pussycat Dolls and Rihanna strutting their stuff; Natasha Bedingfield, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Leona Lewis and Mariah Carey all showing off their pipes; Sarah McLachlan and Pink in a lovely duet of “Wings Of An Angel” and a finale of Keys, Queen Latifah and opera star Kathleen Battle on Keys’”Superwoman.”
The men were represented by New Kids On The Block, Coldplay, The Fray and Kanye West.
Jimmy Kimmel hosted the show and kept things moving. He did make one joke about the Jonas Brothers getting a lot of girls for guys who have pledged to keep their virginity until marriage, but he didn’t go on and on about it like MTV VMA Awards host Russell Brand did in September. At the VMAs, Jordin Sparks chastised Brand, but when she went up to present an award she left Kimmel alone, saying “I’ll stick to the script. I promise.”
Rocker Scott Weiland, of Stone Temple Pilots and formerly of Velvet Revolver, seemed to have some difficulty with his introduction of Pink’s performance of her song “Sober.” Kimmel made fun of his slurred speech later, saying “And what a 16th birthday party (Billy Ray Cyrus) put together for Miley tonight, right? In fact, now that she’s old enough to drive, maybe she could give Scott Weiland a ride home.”
Presenters included Lance Bass, David Archuleta, Jamie Foxx, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Nickelback, Jesse McCartney, Paris Hilton, Demi Lovato, Colbie Caillat, Akon and Juliette Hough.
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