American Music Awards' winners 2006
agcbli...@yahoo.com
AP Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- They ruled the American Music Awards with three
wins, but don't look for the Black Eyed Peas to score another trifecta
when Grammy nominations are announced next month.
The band's most recent record, 2005's "Monkey Business," was named
favorite rap/hip-hop album Tuesday, but it isn't eligible for
consideration for the Grammy awards in February.
Still, the hybrid hip-hop quartet, which blends rap and vocals with
jazzy backdrops and groovy bass lines, is clearly one of America's
favorites, winning best group in both the rap/hip hop and soul/rhythm &
blues categories.
Meanwhile, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige and
Rascal Flatts may have become instant Grammy front-runners with double
wins at the American Music Awards on Tuesday. Each has a new album that
qualifies for consideration.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers were favorite alternative artist and pop/rock
band. They accepted their award via satellite from London, with bass
player Flea beat-boxing as lead singer Anthony Kiedis thanked "the
American people." Critics have called the band's latest album, "Stadium
Arcadium," its best in years.
Clarkson captured trophies for pop/rock female and adult contemporary
artist. Rascal Flatts won favorite country group and the T-Mobile
Text-In award, which is chosen by fans.
Blige won favorite soul/rhythm & blues album for "The Breakthrough."
She was also the favorite female R&B artist. She accepted the award
from surprise presenter Britney Spears, who looked sleek in a
knee-length cream-colored frock and long blond hair.
Oscar winner Jamie Foxx was named favorite male soul/rhythm & blues
artist.
"I'm like a rookie in this music thing," he said. "This means a lot
more than you think, man."
Foxx performed "Wish U Were Here" from his 2005 album, "Unpredictable."
Nickelback took home the trophy for pop/rock album for "All the Right
Reasons."
Among country honors, favorite female artist went to Faith Hill, male
artist went to Toby Keith and Tim McGraw's "Greatest Hits Volume 2" was
favorite album. Country singer and "American Idol" winner Carrie
Underwood was crowned new breakthrough artist.
Eminem took favorite male rap/hip-hop artist. The male pop/rock artist
trophy went to dancehall singer Sean Paul. Shakira won favorite Latin
artist, and Kirk Franklin captured the award for contemporary
inspirational music.
"I know that a lot of people that say that they're Christians - you
know, we don't always represent, and we don't always live it and we do
sometimes some very stupid things, and you know we're not doing a good
job," said Franklin. "I want to make sure that when you see my life
that it's a life that I'm gonna be proud of."
The ceremony, broadcast by ABC from the Shrine Auditorium, was hosted
by Jimmy Kimmel, who launched a skit that placed a lookalike for
Spears' ex, Kevin Federline, into a wooden crate that gets dumped into
the ocean. Kimmel cracked that Federline was the world's first "no-hit
wonder."
Beyonce began the show, belting out her single "Irreplaceable" while
vamping around the stage in a sparkly sequined minidress. The Pussycat
Dolls also chose sequins for their performance, while Nelly Furtado
opted for a skintight white dress and stick-straight hair.
Gwen Stefani made a stylish return to the music scene, performing the
single "Wind It Up" from her forthcoming album, "The Sweet Escape." The
new mom, wearing a skimpy sequined shift and a shoulder-length platinum
bob, yodeled and rapped convincingly throughout the tune.
Rapper Jay-Z stepped back into the spotlight, accompanied by scantily
clad dancers as he performed the single "Show Me What You Got" from his
new record, "Kingdom Come."
Lionel Richie made a festive return to the awards. Introduced by his
diminutive daughter, Nicole Richie, the former Commodore performed a
medley that included his '80s party anthem "All Night Long."
Barry Manilow performed a medley of favorites from his latest
collection, "The Greatest Songs of the Sixties."
Some awards were announced off camera before the broadcast
presentations.
The American Music Awards honor the best in pop/rock, country,
soul/rhythm & blues, rap/hip hop, Latin, alternative, adult
contemporary and contemporary inspirational music. Nominees were chosen
based on record sales and winners were selected by a survey of about
20,000 listeners.
* * *
Foxx Snags AMA As Biological Mom Watches
By SOLVEJ SCHOU
Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- It was a more-than-unpredictable night for Oscar
winner Jamie Foxx at the American Music Awards program Tuesday at the
Shrine Auditorium.
Not only did he snag his first AMA, for best soul-R&B male artist, but
his biological mother attended the show. He hadn't seen her in years.
"I dedicate this song, y'all, to my mother in the audience, and
everyone. I hope you allow me to be myself," Foxx said, introducing a
performance of his song "Wish U Were Here" from 2005's "Unpredictable."
Backstage, Foxx waxed poetic about his mother being present.
"My biological mother didn't raise me. A lady adopted my biological
mother and then adopted me at 7 months," he said. "It feels good to
have her see me doing something great."
When asked about winning an award for his music, on top of his Academy
Award for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the movie "Ray," Foxx
grinned.
"It's a different flow, of course. But for music, for what I want to do
... it's everything," he said.
* * *
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Best new breakthrough artist nominee Chamillionaire
didn't sport his usual hoodie sweatshirt and do-rag on the red carpet
outside the American Music Awards.
Instead, the chart-topping rapper - with a golden grill attached to his
teeth - wore a dapper brown suit and orange tie, his first.
"This is the first time in my life I've ever worn a tie, so this is
big," he said. "It's just stepping out of the box a little bit. People
expect me to wear a hoodie."
Other rappers, including top-ranked rhymer The Game, dressed up in
suits, with their gold bling glittering around their necks.
But rapper Chingy, who presented an award, traded in his posh hip-hop
duds for a blazer and jeans.
Why?
"The AMAs are one of my favorite awards shows. It's casual," he said.
* * *
LOS ANGELES (AP) - She's single and she's sizzling.
That's what other singers said of Britney Spears, who showed up onstage
at the American Music Awards in a cleavage-baring dress to present the
best female soul-R&B artist award just after a skit parodying her
recent ex, Kevin Federline.
"She looked great. She got back on the horse, in my opinion," said
presenter Jesse McCartney backstage.
Singer JoJo, wearing a flirty pink dress, said backstage that she
supported Spears, who recently filed for divorce from Federline,
described by AMA host Jimmy Kimmel as a "no-hit wonder."
"She's still a young lady, so she definitely has the opportunity to
come back," said teen star JoJo, adding that she first met Spears when
she was 7 and an aspiring musician.
* * *
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Sean Paul had always been a groomsman, never a
groom, at the American Music Awards - until now.
"This is the first time I've been able to go up there and thank
people," said the year's favorite pop-rock male artist, wearing a
sweeping black velvet jacket. "It's been a great day."
Paul was nominated for two rap/hip-hop AMAs in 2003.
The Jamaican dance hall star, who beat out Nick Lachey and Kanye West
in the category, joked about West's outburst at the MTV Europe Movie
Awards when he lost.
"I was kind of looking out. If Nick had won and Kanye had gone up
there, I would have gone up with him!"
West, apparently disappointed at not winning for best video earlier
this month, had crashed the stage with an expletive-filled tirade.
* * *
Winners at the American Music Awards
Pop-Rock:
Male artist: Sean Paul
Female artist: Kelly Clarkson
Band, duo or group: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Album: "All the Right Reasons," Nickelback
Soul-R&B:
Male artist: Jamie Foxx
Female artist: Mary J. Blige
Band, duo or group: The Black Eyed Peas
Album: "The Breakthrough," Mary J. Blige
Country:
Male artist: Toby Keith
Female artist: Faith Hill
Band, duo or group: Rascal Flatts
Album: "Greatest Hits Volume 2," Tim McGraw
-Rap/Hip-Hop:
Male artist: Eminem
Band, duo or group: The Black Eyed Peas
Album: "Monkey Business," The Black Eyes Peas
Adult Contemporary:
Artist: Kelly Clarkson
Latin Music:
Artist: Shakira
Alternative Music:
Artist: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Contemporary Inspirational: Kirk Franklin
Artist:
-Breakthrough:
New artist: Carrie Underwood
T-Mobile Text-In Award (voted by public):
Rascal Flatts