Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift win American Music Awards

Country star Taylor Swift and Michael Jackson each won four prizes at the midway point of the American Music Awards on Sunday, while Jennifer Lopez fell on her rear end during her performance. Swift and Jackson lead the contenders at the 37th annual ceremony, with six and five nominations, respectively, and will vie for the event's final honor, artist of the year. Swift, 19, accepted her awards live via satellite from backstage at London's Wembley Arena, where she will perform a concert on Monday. She was named favorite female artist in the pop/rock and country categories, and favorite adult-contemporary artist -- tributes to her wide crossover appeal. Her 2008 album "Fearless," the best-selling release in the United States this year, was named favorite country album. Jackson was named favorite male artist in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories. His brother Jermaine accepted on his behalf, thanking Allah "for blessing my entire family." The singer, who died of an overdose in June, also won two awards that were announced off the air. His hits collection "Number Ones" was named favorite album in the soul/R&B and pop/rock categories, beating out Swift in the latter. The other contenders for artist of the year are glam pop star Lady Gaga, rapper Eminem and rock band Kings of Leon.

Hip-hop act the Black Eyed Peas won two awards, as favorite group in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories. Punk rock trio Green Day was named favorite alternative artist. Rascal Flatts won favorite country group for the fourth year in a row.

Taylor Swift wins five American Music Awards

Country crossover star Taylor Swift overshadowed the late Michael Jackson at the American Music Awards on Sunday, winning five prizes including artist of the year.Jackson, who had been expected to enjoy a clean sweep, ended up with four awards. He and Swift went head-to-head in the artist of the year race, the ceremony's final prize.Other multiple winners included hip-hop acts Jay-Z and the Black Eyed Peas, with two each.Swift, 19, was also named favorite female artist in the pop/rock and country categories, and favorite adult-contemporary artist. Her 2008 album "Fearless," the best-selling release in the United States this year, was named favorite country album.She accepted her awards live via satellite from backstage at London's Wembley Arena, where she will perform a concert on Monday."Music has never been ultimately about competition," Swift said, after winning the artist of the year prize. She said it was an "unimaginable honor" to be cited in the same category as Jackson, and thanked the Jackson family.Jackson was named favorite male artist in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories, while his 2003 hits collection "Number Ones" was named favorite album in both those categories. The album is the No. 2 seller this year in the United States.His brother Jermaine, accompanied by sons Jeremy, Jaafar and Jermajesty, accepted on his behalf. At one point, he thanked Allah "for blessing my entire family."
Rapper Eminem, making a rare awards-show appearance in the wake of his four nominations, went home empty-handed. Glam-pop singer Lady Gaga, rock band Kings of Leon and jailed rapper T.I., who earned three nominations each, were also snubbed.The Black Eyed Peas were named favorite group in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories. Jay-Z won favorite male artist and favorite album in the rap/hip-hop categories. His wife Beyonce, who was performing a show in Dublin, was named favorite female artist in the soul/R&B category.Punk rock trio Green Day won the favorite alternative artist. Rascal Flatts won favorite country group for the fourth year in a row. The performance-heavy show included some notable scenes. Openly gay "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert kissed a keyboardist of indeterminate gender and rubbed a male dancer's face in his crotch. Jennifer Lopez, meanwhile, landed on her bottom after jumping off the arched back of one of her dancers.Nominees are determined by radio airplay and retail sales, while members of the public determine the winners through online voting. That's why Jackson got so many nominations, even though he didn't release any new material.
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