Eminem scoops awards in US

Eminem upstaged newcomer Ashanti at the 30th annual American Music Awards early today, collecting trophies in all four categories in which he was nominated.

Eminem upstaged newcomer Ashanti at the 30th annual American Music Awards early today, collecting trophies in all four categories in which he was nominated.

Eminem didn’t attend Monday’s show, which was broadcast from Los Angeles on the ABC television network, but his 8 Mile co-star Mekhi Phifer accepted the hip-hop album prize on his behalf.

“Hey y’all, this is Eminem on the phone!” Phifer said as he carried a mobile phone onstage after the rapper’s first win.

R&B ingenue Ashanti took honours for favourite new hip-hop/R&B artist and new pop artist. She came into the competition with a leading five nominations.

She was up against Eminem in two of those categories, favourite album in both the pop/rock and hip-hop/R&B categories, and he won both.

“Definitely got to say, thank God for giving me the strength to do this,” said Ashanti, best known for the singles Foolish, and Happy, while accepting the hip-hop award.

The show was hosted by Ozzy Osbourne, his wife Sharon, and children Jack and Kelly. Rarely seen daughter Aimee was billed as a presenter but was a no-show.

The Osbournes gave network censors a workout. They were bleeped so much during their opening introduction that it was hard for television viewers to understand what they were saying.

The former Black Sabbath frontman and his family took the stage, bellowing and teasing former pop star couple Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, who were sitting apart but seemed to take the kidding well.

“Why aren’t you two gorgeous people together?” asked Sharon before quipping about Justin: “I’m going to have to take him, Britney!”

After Sharon let slip the F-word while marvelling at the size of the audience, Ozzy laughed and shouted, “You can’t take the (bleeping) lady anywhere any more.”

Two bands that did not attend the event had two awards each. Hard-rock band Creed was honoured for favourite rock group and alternative performance, and the Dixie Chicks won for favourite country band and country album for Home.

Mary J Blige – another absentee – was named favourite female hip-hop artist and OutKast was chosen as favourite hip-hop group. Tim McGraw, who sang a Tiny Dancer duet with Elton John at the start of the show, left for Nashville before winning favourite male country artist.

Sheryl Crow won favourite female pop-rock artist. Wearing a T-shirt reading “War is not the answer,” the singer of Soak Up the Sun thanked band mates and managers before ending her speech with: “Peace, peace this year!”

She later kept up the pro-peace talk while introducing Toby Keith and Willie Nelson, saying: “Hey everybody, I know this is an award show but I just want to encourage everybody to get involved in some kind of movement for peace.”

“Blessed” singer Martina McBride accepted the award for favourite female country artist.

Alabama, which took home the award of merit, had one of its biggest fans for its presenter, former US president George Bush senior, who made a taped announcement.

“I’m very proud to be part of tonight’s tribute honouring one of the most highly successful bands country music has ever known,” Bush said. “Their name tells you a lot about them: their birthplace, their close family ties, their respect for traditional artists and music, their courage to bring new ideas to country music, and most of all, their lifelong love of home, state and country.”

The Christian foursome Avalon accepted the honour for contemporary inspirational performance, with group member Jody McBrayer quipping, “I know you don’t know who we are, but thank you.”

In an announcement before the telecast, Celine Dion won favourite adult contemporary artist and Enrique Iglesias received the Latin music award.

Among the performers was Christina Aguilera, who was modestly dressed, compared to her more recent flesh-baring outfits. Comedian David Spade introduced her by saying, ”Here she is for the first time in public with her clothes on, Christina Aguilera!”

Nominees are chosen on the basis of record sales, with winners selected by a survey of about 20,000 listeners.

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