Chris Brown Top Dog at American Music Awards
Chris Brown
Alicia Keys may have led the way with five American Music Awards nominations, but it was Chris Brown who stole the show Sunday night.
The singer scooped up three trophies, including male soul/R&B artists, male pop/rock artist and the big kahuna, artist of the year.
Keys converted album nods in pop/rock and soul/R&B into wins for her disc As I Am. Not to be outdone, Brown's gal pal Rihanna snatched two awards, female artist in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories.
Another double winner for the evening was Kanye West, who threw no temper tantrums this time around. Bitter last year at losing male rap/hip-hop artist, West took home the honor this year, but offered it up to Lil Wayne.
The rapper also won rap/hip-hop album for Graduation, and in typical West fashion, likened himself and his colleagues to the Beatles, declaring, "I want to be Elvis."
It was also a banner night for American Idol grads. Daughtry picked up its fourth AMA, this time in pop/rock band/group/duo, while Jordin Sparks was named adult contemporary artist and Carrie Underwood's Carnival Ride scored country album.
Underwood was stunned in the female country artist race by Taylor Swift, whose own ex-beau Joe Jonas and his bros won an AMA of their own for breakthrough artist.
Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts rounded out the country champs.
One guaranteed winner of the night was Annie Lennox, who was given the Award of Merit by Justin Timberlake and performed a show-stopping number.
Other performers included Christina Aguilera, the Jonas Brothers, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Beyonce, Alicia Keys and birthday girl Miley Cyrus.
