He may be only 19, but he is surely aware of the true
meaning of success. R&B singer Chris Brown was the big winner of Sunday’s
American Music Awards, as he claimed three awards including the top trophy for
Artist of the Year.
In spite of the fact that Alicia Keys was expected to score
big, since she had received five nominations, the young star effortlessly
outshone the soul singer and songwriter, who took home only a couple of
statuettes.
Chris Brown appeared to be very surprised with his major
win, particularly when his name was announced for the event’s final award. He
informed reporters backstage at the Nokia Theater that he was “shocked” by the
news, explaining that Coldplay should have been granted the prize. Apart from
the Artist of the Year trophy, the 19-year-old won the best male prize in both
the soul/R&B and pop/rock categories, while his girlfriend, Rihanna, was
named best female in the same categories, for which Alicia Keys had also been
nominated.
The 27-year-old artist won best album in the soul/R&B
and pop/rock categories for her chart-breaking CD, “As I Am.” Although they had
followed Alicia Keys in the top nominees list, Coldplay and the Eagles did not
receive any award.
Among the night’s big winners was also forthright rapper
Kanye West, who was awarded with the first two American Music prizes of his
professional career. Nevertheless, he said that the best male trophy in the
rap/hip-hop category belonged to Lil Wayne.
“If it was last year, this would have been my award,” he
explained. “This year, it’s Wayne’s
award. We’ll see what happens next year.”
The singer, who has never avoided showing his disappointment
with regard to awards ceremonies, also won the prize for favorite rap/hip-hop
album with his disc, “Graduation.” In his speech, he urged musicians to regain
the vitality of legendary artists and challenge each other so as to become
historical figures of the music industry. While citing big names, such as the
Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, he said that he wanted to be the new Elvis
Presley.
The ceremony’s host, Jimmy Kimmel, amusingly replied that Kanye
West should “rethink that one,” since “Elvis died on the toilet with half a
jelly donut in his mouth.”
Jimmy Kimmel also poked fun at troubled rocker Scott
Weiland, saying that teenage icon Miley Cyrus, who has just celebrated her 16th
birthday, could offer him a ride home.
Taylor Swift won her first American Music Award ever and
although everybody seemed to know that she would be named best female country
singer, she appeared to be shocked.
Brad Paisley won favorite male country singer, thus taking
home his first American Music trophy as well.
The show also featured performances by Miley Cyrus, Ne-Yo,
Beyonce, the Jonas Brothers, the Pussycat Dolls, Coldplay and former Eurythmics
singer Annie Lennox, who won the Award of Merit.
