Nineteen-year-old R&B star Chris Brown [ tickets ] won big at Sunday's 36th annual American Music Awards [ tickets ], taking home three awards, including Artist of the Year.

Brown looked stunned when he was named Artist of the Year. He repeatedly said "What?!" as he walked to the stage and told the crowd, "I would have gave it to Coldplay." He also won Best Male Pop/Rock Artist and Best Male Soul/R&B Artist.

His girlfriend, Rihanna, was dubbed Best Pop/Rock Female Artist and Best Soul/R&B Female Artist. Neither Brown nor Rihanna acknowledged each other in their thank-you speeches.

Other multiple award winners included Alicia Keys [ tickets ] and Kanye West [ tickets ], who pontificated about his talents during his acceptance speech for his first-ever American Music Award, Best Rap/Hip-hop Album for "Graduation."

"I'd like to thank everybody who accepted me trying to break new boundaries in music," West said. "I wake up in morning just thinking about what stereotype I want to break. We pushed the envelope with the last album, 'Stronger,' the record they thought they wouldn't play on urban radio."

He said it is musicians' responsibility to keep pushing each other and competing with each other.

"It's a really great competition," he said before proclaiming he wants to be the next Elvis.

Host Jimmy Kimmel joked, "Elvis died on the toilet with half a jelly donut in his mouth. You may want to rethink that." Earlier, Kimmel said, "Speaking of God, Kayne West is here with us tonight. Kayne will be on stage later in the show either singing or throwing a tantrum, depending on how things go."

Kimmel also made pointed comments toward heiress Paris Hilton as well as Stone Temple Pilots' frontman Scott Weiland, who slurred his way through his introduction of Pink.

Later, West--who's been known to throw tantrums when he doesn't win awards--explained the timing wasn't right for his Best Rap/Hip-hop Album win for "Graduation."

"I really appreciate these two awards, but I gotta say I'm a fan of music and I got my opinion," West said. "I want to give this award to [Lil] Wayne for this year. If it was last year, this would have been my award. This year it's Wayne['s] award. We'll see what happens next year."

That, too, garnered a comment from Kimmel: "One year he's complaining he doesn't get an award. Now he's giving the awards away. It's ridiculous. Make up your mind."

More Winners

Country cross-over talent Taylor Swift [ tickets ] news, tour dates, photos and tickets"> Taylor Swift [ tickets ] was tickled she won Best Female Country Artist.

"It's an honor that you even care about the songs I write in my bedroom," said Swift, who has the No. 1 album this week.

Chris Daughtry didn't mention "American Idol" in his thank-you speech for his group Daughtry, named Best Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group.

"We're very grateful to our fans who allow us to live our dreams every day of our lives,"he said. "These guys right here, I wouldn't be anything without them."

Annie Lennox [ tickets ] and Mariah Carey [ tickets ] received special accolades from Justin Timberlake and Terrence Howard, respectively. A visibly verklempt Lennox told the crowd "It's been an incredible journey.

"Music--my friend, my accompaniment to so much of my life. Much of that was with Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics. It's very important that I say half of the award goes to Dave also," Lennox said.

Christina Aguilera [ tickets ] set the bar high for performers, kicking off the show with a medley of "Beautiful," "Keeps Gettin' Better," "Genie in a Bottle," "Dirrty," "Ain't No Other Man" and "Fighter." New Kids on the Block offered a medley of old and new material as well. Ne-Yo channeled The Time during his performance of "Closer," and Leona Lewis performed a dead-on rendition of her break-up ballad "Better in Time." Miley Cyrus celebrated her 16th birthday at the AMAs. Purity ring-wearing Jonas Brothers sounded flat, while the Pussycat Dolls pole danced to "When I Grow Up."

Artist of the Year
Chris Brown

Best Pop/Rock Male Artist
Chris Brown

Best Pop/Rock Female Artist
Rihanna

Best Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group
Daughtry

Best Pop/Rock Album
"As I Am," Alicia Keys

Best Soul/R&B Male Artist
Chris Brown

Best Soul/R&B Female Artist
Rihanna

Best Soul/R&B Album
"As I Am," Alicia Keys

Best Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist
Kayne West

Best Rap/Hip-Hop Band, Duo or Group
Three 6 Mafia

Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album
"Graduation," Kayne West

Best Male Country Artist
Brad Paisley

Best Female Country Artist
Taylor Swift

Best Country Band, Duo or Group
Rascal Flatts

Best Country Album
"Carnival Ride," Carrie Underwood

Best Adult Contemporary Artist
Jordin Sparks

Best Alternative Rock Artist
Linkin Park

Best Latin Artist
Enrique Iglesias

Best Contemporary Inspirational Artist
Third Day

Best Soundtrack Album
"Alvin and the Chipmunks"

T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Award
Jonas Brothers

Award of Merit
Annie Lennox