Jackson wins music awards
Reuters
Relevant offers
Music
New Zealand-born Keith Urban won the first American Music Award of his career, for favourite male artist in the country category. He dedicated his award to his wife, actress Nicole Kidman, and their daughter.
Country crossover star Taylor Swift overshadowed the late Michael Jackson at the American Music Awards, winning five awards 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 favourite female artist in the pop/rock and country categories, and favourite adult-contemporary artist. Her 2008 album Fearless, the best-selling release in the United States this year, was named favourite 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 honour" to be cited in the same category as Jackson, and thanked the Jackson family.
Jackson was named favourite male artist in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories, while his hits collection No 1s was named favourite album in both those categories.
His brother Jermaine accepted on his behalf, at one point thanking 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.
The Black Eyed Peas were named favourite group in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories. Jay-Z won favourite male artist and favourite album in the rap/hip-hop categories.
Punk rock trio Green Day was named favourite alternative artist. Rascal Flatts won favourite country group for the fourth year in a row.
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.
List of winners at the American Music Awards
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift
POP/ROCK
Favourite male artist – Michael Jackson
Favourite female artist – Taylor Swift
Favourite band, duo or group – Black Eyed Peas
Favourite album – No 1s (Michael Jackson)
COUNTRY
Favourite male artist – Keith Urban
Favourite female artist – Taylor Swift
Favourite band, duo or group – Rascal Flatts
Favourite album – Fearless (Taylor Swift)
RAP/HIP-HOP
Favourite male artist – Jay-Z
Favourite album – The Blueprint 3 (Jay-Z)
SOUL/R&B
Favourite male artist – Michael Jackson
Favourite female artist – Beyonce
Favourite band, duo or group – Black Eyed Peas
Favourite album – No 1s (Michael Jackson)
SOUNDTRACKS
Favourite album – Twilight
ALTERNATIVE
Favourite artist – Green Day
ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Favourite artist – Taylor Swift
LATIN
Favourite artist – Aventura
CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Favourite artist – Mary
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST
Gloriana
Sponsored links
Cruise back for Mission: Impossible
Super Bowl ad irks White Stripes
Lil Wayne sentencing postponed
Fox used hand double for sexy ad
Eva Longoria in porn Tweet mishap
Ten things that are so hot right now
Palin's ex stars as nude coverboy
Cheesiest movie-related music video ever?
Perez Hilton, Black Eyed Peas reach settlement
Piecing together the Lost puzzle
Horror movie causes panic attacks
Waikato rape accused name supression lifted
Harawira Maori seats bill 'a mistake'
Base jumper injured in 30m fall
Billboard used in hunt for taxi driver's killer
Nintendo pirate just a shy gamer - dad
Crayfish game closed down in Auckland
Palin's ex stars as nude coverboy
Referee says rugby has to change
Operation Titstorm hackers strike Australia
'Lovesick' student sparked airport alert
SPCA steps in on injured dog standoff
Daily trivia quiz: February 10
Eva Longoria in porn Tweet mishap
Andy Roddick's wife on SI swimsuit edition cover
'Very white' Australian rugby cops criticism
SPCA steps in on injured dog standoff
Key confirms GST increase being considered
A pass for Key, but much more to do
King Kong ship meets watery grave
Sanzar, SKY decide it's time to titillate the fans
How do you feel about Fall Out Boy splitting up?