XAVIERSWORLD : CHECK IT... AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS: Taylor and Timberlake Are Tops Miley got catty, Gaga got dirty and Taylor and Justin got loaded down with trophies at the AMAs. What a difference a year makes. Last years American Music Awards had little spark and lousy ratings, which most folks blamed on a lack of big name performers -- a deficit that producers made up for last night by recruiting Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and Katy Perry to rock the house. Artist of the Year Taylor Swift and Justin dominated the winners list, taking home three trophies each. One Direction and Rihanna each notched a pair and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, who accepted their award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album via satellite from Miami, turned up the political heat by invoking the name of Trayvon Martin to discuss racial injustice -- instead of simply running through the usual list of thank yous. •Katy looked east -- way east -- for her show-opening version of the ballad Unconditionally, donning a Japanese gown and surrounding herself with fan-waving dancers, fluttering cherry blossoms and other trappings from the Land of the Rising Sun. •One Direction also led with their sensitive side on a smooth version of Story of My Life that showcased both folky harmonies and newly-sprouted facial hair -- both of which generated screams from the audience. •Ariana Grande took things even further into ballad territory with Tattooed Heart, which backed her Mariah-like vocal gymnastics with a group of finger-snapping fifties-inspired male singers. •Imagine Dragons pumped up the volume -- and the rhythm-- with a stage full of over-sized drums they used to add extra punch to a medley of their hits Demons and Radioactive. •Before the show even started, host Pitbull warned ABC to keep the delay button ready and promised lots of fun in debuting Timber, his duet with Kesha -- and he lived up to the promise, but not the warning with a fun version of the tune. •Justin Timberlake kept the suit and tie but traded the smooth R & B of his first few singles of 2013 for a raucous gospel-rock sound on Drink You Away -- a song that channeled the gritty spirit of his hometown of Memphis. •Florida Georgia Line and Nelly teamed up for a rollicking version of their hit duet Cruise, adding a verse or two of the St. Louis rappers Ride Wit Me at the end. •The AMA folks cooked up a special award for Rihanna -- the Icon Award, which she accepted from her mom after turning out a classy version of Diamonds. •Macklemore and Ryan Lewis turned in the nights most energetic performance from 3,000 miles away, beaming Cant Hold Us in from their arena show in Miami. •Jennifer Lopez presented a tribute to the late Cuban singer Celia Cruz, a longtime favorite around the country, but particularly in the Bronx, where Jenny from the block got her start. •Christina Aguilera joined New York duo Great Big World for their breakout hit. •Lady Gaga cooked up a variety-show styled sketch for her R. Kelly duet Do What U Want, casting Kelly as the lascivious president to her own eager-to-please intern. She ended the bit by singing the last verse in front of a big screen projection of nasty tabloid stories about her real life. •Rumors swirled about the special guest that TLC would bring out for their performance, but rather than a hologram Lisa Left Eye Lopes, they were joined by rapper Lil Mama on Waterfalls. •Miley Cyrus ended the night with a bang -- and a meow -- with a twerkless version of Wrecking Ball in which she shared the stage with a giant kitten that mimicked her famous tongue trick. American Music Awards winners: Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift Favorite Pop-Rock Male Artist: Justin Timberlake Favorite Soul/ R&B Female Artist: Rihanna Favorite Country Album: Taylor Swift: Red Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis: The Heist Favorite Alternative Artist: Imagine Dragons Favorite Latin Music Artist: Marc Anthony Favorite Country Female Artist: Taylor Swift Favorite Country Male Artist: Luke Bryan Favorite Electronic Dance Music Artist: Avicii Favorite Country Duo or Group: Lady Antebellum Favorite Pop-Rock Album: One Direction: Take Me Home Favorite Pop-Rock Band, Duo or Group: One Direction Favorite Soul/R&B Album: Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience Single of the Year: Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly: Cruise New Artist of the Year: Ariana Grande Icon Award: Rihanna
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 11:42:36 +0000
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