Luther Vandross, 50 Cent lead AMAs with two wins apiece
With two nods each, R&B crooner Luther Vandross --who is recovering from a serious stroke--and rapper 50 Cent were the big winners at Sunday's (11/16) American Music Awards.
Vandross, who suffered his near-fatal stroke in April, was awarded trophies in the best male R&B artist and favorite soul-R&B album categories. His mother, Mary Vandross, accepted the awards on his behalf.
"I'm so very sorry that Luther cannot be here tonight in person," she said. "I'm here to represent him and say thanks to all of you who made this possible."
Vandross completed his most-recent CD, "Dance with My Father," before his stroke, and J Records issued the album in June.
50 Cent won the award for best male rap artist, and his debut album "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" won best rap/hip-hop album. He didn't attend the ceremony.
The night opened with Britney Spears ' performance of her new hit "Me Against the Music," which was immediately followed by Kid Rock and his band playing a cover of Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love."
Later, pop-star-turned-rocker Pink , backed by only an acoustic guitarist, belted out a compelling rendition of her hit "Trouble."
Other performers included "American Idol" alumni Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard, Toby Keith, Metallica and OutKast (whose members Andre 3000 and Big Boi each played a song).
The complete list of winners follows:
Favorite Male Artist--Pop or Rock - Kid Rock
Favorite Female Artist--Pop or Rock - Jennifer Lopez
Favorite Band, Duo or Group--Pop or Rock - Fleetwood Mac
Favorite Album--Pop or Rock - "Justified," Justin Timberlake
Favorite Male Artist--Hip-Hop/R&B - Luther Vandross
Favorite Female Artist--Hip-Hop/R&B - Aaliyah
Favorite Band, Duo or Group--Hip-Hop/R&B - The Isley Brothers
Favorite Album--Hip-Hop/R&B - "Dance with My Father," Luther Vandross
Favorite Male Artist--Country - Tim McGraw
Favorite Female Artist--Country - Faith Hill
Favorite Band, Duo or Group--Country - Alabama
Favorite Album--Country - "Unleashed," Toby Keith
Favorite Male Artist--Rap/Hip-Hop - 50 Cent
Favorite Female Artist--Rap/Hip-Hop - Missy Elliott
Favorite Band, Duo or Group--Rap/Hip-Hop - Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz
Favorite Album--Rap/Hip-Hop - "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," 50 Cent
Favorite Artist--Alternative - Linkin Park
Favorite Artist--Adult Contemporary - Celine Dion
Favorite Artist--Latin Music - Ricky Martin
Favorite Artist--Contemporary Inspirational - Steven Curtis Chapman
Fan's Choice Award - Clay Aiken
Michael Jackson International Artist of the Year - Madonna
Coca-Cola New Music Award - The Bomb Squad (New York, NY)
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