In what Mariah Carey's fans might see as her comeback, the buxom singer won the best soul/R&B female artiste award at the 33rd American Music Awards, held on Tuesday, and was nominated in three other categories.
Others who won at the awards included singers Tim McGraw, Kelly Clarkson and Eminem, and bands like Green Day, Destiny's Child and Black Eyed Peas. All the above, except Eminem, won two awards each.
Hollywood actor and singer Will Smith bagged the favorite male pop/rock artiste, while Eminem was given the best male artiste in the rap/hip-hop category. 50 Cent's album
The Massacre, was adjudged the best rap/hip-hop album, even as Missy Elliott got the best female artiste award in the rap/hip-hop division. R Kelly won the best male artist in the soul/R&B category, while Shakira was selected the best Latin music artist.
At the awards function, 50 Cent, Eminem, Green Day, Clarkson and the Black Eyed Peas were conspicuous by their absence. Accepting her award after performing
Don't Forget About Us, Mariah Carey, who was dressed in a black revealing gown, said, “Thank you so much for the warmth and the love.” Her recently released album,
The Emancipation of Mimi, is being touted as her comeback vehicle.
Kelly Rowland, who accepted the award for on Destiny's Child's behalf, said, “This feels very awkward being up here by myself.” Missy Elliott dedicated her award to late singer Aaliyah. “I got to thank God because that's my inspiration for everything that I do. You get out there and you work hard. Nights like this are incredible! I feel blessed to be here,” she said.
Gwen Stefani, who beat Mariah Carey in the best female artiste category, asked while being presented her award, “What did I win?” However, she went on to thank her fans. “I guess whatever I won, I just want to say thank you to the fans, especially all my girls. Imagine what it feels like to be me all these years and have your support. It's just outrageous,” Stefani added.
She, along with Carey, rap artiste Pharrell, British band Eurythmics, and Cyndi Lauper and Sarah McLachlan, performed at the awards show, held at the Los Angeles's Shrine Auditorium. Also aired at the show through satellite was the live performance by the Rolling Stones in Salt Lake City in Utah. The band closed the show with
It's Only Rock & Roll (But I Like It).
Actor, comedian Cedric the Entertainer, who hosted the show, kept the audience in splits with his jokes. At the butt of a couple of his jokes were Apple Computer and 50 Cent.
“I got the new Apple Tic-Tac. It freshens your breath and plays one song,” he said referring to the company rolling out gadgets that seemed to be shrinking in size. About 50 Cent, the comedian said, “50 Cent's a thugged-out Martha Stewart,” because he is dabbling with designer home linen.
The American Music Awards is a popular choice award where around 20,000 American music buffs poll for their favorites, chosen depending on the sales of the tracks and albums, in 21 categories. The awards differ from the Grammy Awards, which takes into account the opinions of music industry executives and icons.
