Rihanna takes two top awards at AMAs
Nov 25, 2008
ON A NIGHT that saw her performing her latest single, Rehab, Bajan sensation Rihanna was among the big winners with two awards at the 2008 American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, Sunday night.
The 20-year-old Barbados cultural ambassador and Grammy Award winner in February this year won the awards for Favourite Female Artist in the Soul/R&B category as well as Favourite Female Artist (Pop/Rock).
"This is the first year, I guess, the fans got to vote, so thank you mainly to my fans who voted for me," Rihanna said upon accepting her statuette.
In the soul/R&B category she beat out Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys, and in the pop segment got the better of Keys and Mariah Carey.
At the same ceremony Sunday, Chris Brown, with whom Rihanna has been romantically linked for the past year, copped three awards: Favourite Male Artist (Pop/Rock), Favourite Male Artist (Soul/R&B) and the prestigious Artist of the Year.
The surprised 19-year-old said: "I don't know what to say. I would have given it to Coldplay (one of the nominees)."
The show, featuring a record 19 performances, was marked by Keys' performance of Superwoman with surprise guest Queen Latifah, along with a medley of Christina Aguilera's greatest hits and show-stopping performances by Rihanna, Beyonce, Coldplay, Kanye West, Carey, Ne-Yo, New Kids on the Block and Pink.
Surprise guest Justin Timberlake was on hand to present the 2008 American Music Awards special Award of Merit to Annie Lennox, honouring her work with the groundbreaking Eurythmics and her illustrious solo career. Additionally, Carey was recognised for becoming the solo artist with the most No. 1 hits of all time.
The winners were:
POP/ROCK
Favorite Male Artist: Chris Brown
Favorite Female Artist: Rihanna
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Daughtry
Favorite Album: "As I Am" Alicia Keys
COUNTRY
Favorite Male Artist: Brad Paisley
Favorite Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Rascal Flatts
Favorite Album: "Carnival Ride" Carrie Underwood
SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES
Favorite Male Artist: Chris Brown
Favorite Female Artist: Rihanna
Favorite Album: "As I Am" Alicia Keys
RAP/HIP-HOP
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Three 6 Mafia
Favorite Male Artist: Kanye West
Favorite Album: "Graduation" Kanye West
ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Favorite Artist: Jordin Sparks
LATIN MUSIC
Favorite Artist: Enrique Iglesias
ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC
Favorite Artist: Linkin Park
CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Favorite Artist: Third Day
SOUNDTRACKS
Favorite Album: "Alvin and the Chipmunks"
T - Mobile Favourite Breakthrough Artist (all genres)
Jonas Brothers
Source: Nation News