View red carpet pictures from the 2008 American Music Awards
LOS ANGELES — Chris Brown had no idea that the 2008 American Music Awards were going to belong to him.
View red carpet pictures from the 2008 American Music Awards
LOS ANGELES — Chris Brown had no idea that the 2008 American Music Awards were going to belong to him.
The 19-year-old R&B star took home three awards at Sunday’s ceremony, including the biggest prize of the night — artist of the year. It was an honor that left Brown speechless backstage.
“I probably was shocked like everybody else,” Brown told reporters after the show. “I know everybody was like, ‘Huh?’ I thought Coldplay should have genuinely won that award, but I’ll take it!”
Brown also won favorite male artist in both the soul/R&B and pop/rock categories.
It was also a big night for Brown’s rumored girlfriend, Rihanna, as the 20-year-old star won the soul/R&B and pop/rock categories on the female side.
Kanye West also found reason to celebrate as he captured the first two American Music Awards of his career. The 31-year-old West took home honors for favorite male rap/hip-hop artist and favorite rap/hip-hop album for his release, “Graduation.”
“I’d like to thank everyone who accepted me trying to break new boundaries in music,” said West. “It’s our responsibility as musicians to keep pushing each other.”
In challenging his fellow musicians to capture the spirit of artists like the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, West proclaimed, “I wanna be Elvis!”
Another multiple winner was R&B star Alicia Keys, whose chart-topping “As I Am” won favorite pop/rock and soul/R&B album honors.
Sunday’s ceremony at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and included performances by Miley Cyrus, Ne-Yo, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Coldplay, Annie Lennox, New Kids on the Block, the Pussycat Dolls and the Jonas Brothers.
Kimmel was in top form during the night’s most awkward moment when rocker Scott Weiland slurred his introduction of Pink. The late-night host suggested a ride home from Cyrus, who turned 16 on Sunday.
For the second time, American Music Award winners were determined by online voting.
