One thing’s clear after last night’s show: The American Music Awards is doing its best to stay relevant in a world where CD-buying teens don’t rely on trophies to tell them whats cool.
In a night that found host Jimmy Kimmel getting dance tips from Soulja Boy, “American Idol” contestants held sway and shout-outs to Idol creator Simon Fuller were frequent.
The relatively new text-in award for Favorite Artist went to “Idol” champ Carrie Underwood, who also nabbed awards for Favorite Country Female Artist and Favorite Country Album.
At times it felt like an “Idol”-themed show, with fellow Idol cohort Daughtry reeling in crystal pyramids for Breakthrough Artist, Adult Contemporary Artist and Pop/Rock Album.
But there were winners who hadn’t risen to fame on Fox TV.
A giddy Fergie won for Pop/Rock Female, while Justin Timberlake snagged an award for Soul/R & B album, sending his thanks via satellite from Australia. Akon beat out his computer-enhanced sidekick T-Pain for Soul/R&B Male, but brought the dreadlocked Pain onstage with him to accept the award and get cut off by the wrap-up music.
In a strange twist, an obviously humbled Beyonce won the AMA’s International Artist Award, but lost out to Rihanna for Favorite Female Soul/R&B Artist.
A fall by a Jonas brother notwithstanding, there were also some interesting performances last night. Chris Brown may have lip synced his way through “Kiss Kiss,” but his gravity-defying dance moves made it worth it.
Daughtry’s performance of “Home” reminded the audience why he won so many awards, while Rihanna threw out a brilliant, string quartet-backed snippet of “Umbrella” before jumping into her duet with Ne-Yo, “Hate That I Love You.”
Beyonce’s performance was dubbed not-to-be-missed, and it did at least raise some eyebrows. Country duo Sugarland reworked her hit “Irreplacable” in bluegrass styleand it worked before Beyonce emerged to tag-team in a strangely hot mix.
Of all the artists to relegate to the background, Alicia Keys should be last on the list, but somehow her reggae remix of “No One” featured Keys on backup duty to reggae legends including Junior Reid and Buju Banton.
Source: bostonherald.com
No Comment Received
Leave A Reply