2013 American Music Awards Round-Up

The American Music Awards were created by legendary US broadcaster Dick Clark in 1973, and differ from the Grammys in that winners are determined by a public poll, and not a committee of octogenarians who dig Anne Murray. The 2013 edition of the event was recently celebrated.

The night featured performances from One Direction, Katy Perry, and Miley Cyrus, with nominees including Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, who led the nomination scoreboard with six noms, as well as Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Robin Thicke, Bruno Mars, and many more.

Readers can check out the full list of winners and nominees below, but the big prizes went to Ms. Swift for ‘Artist of the Year’, Florida Georgia Line (we thought that had something to do with locomotives, too) nabbed ‘Single of the Year’ for Cruise, and the ‘Icon Award’ went to Rihanna.

Supposed highlights included Cyrus‘ performance of her contentious hit, Wrecking Ball. Cyrus was joined by a floating, catatonic, “space kitten” that mouthed the lyrics of the song along with Miley, with its dead gaze into which no light dared enter, trained on the viewers as it cried diamonds.

Lady Gaga and R Kelly made headlines together (no, he didn’t do…that, to her) for a performance of their collaboration, Do What U Want (except that). Opening with a pantomime before the choreography kicked in, this “American-themed performance” took place in a faux Oval Office.

Gaga and Kelly then put to use their considerable pipes as an elaborate performance ensued, including one intimate dance slash grinding sequence between the two stars, in which R Kelly played John Kennedy to Lady Gaga’s every woman in the United States of America circa 1962.

Macklemore, who accepted the award for ‘Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album’ via live satellite from Miami, took the opportunity to introduce a socially conscious message to the ceremony, addressing issues of racial profiling and the case of slain Floridian teenager Trayvon Martin, saying:

“Due to the fact that we are in Florida tonight accepting this award I want to acknowledge Trayvon Martin and the hundreds and hundreds of kids each year that are dying due to racial profiling and the violence that follows it.

“This is really happening. These are our friends, our neighbours, our peers and our fans, and it’s time that we look out for the youth and fight against racism and the laws that protect it.”

Meanwhile, Rihanna dedicated her icon award to her mother, saying, “Just about 20 years ago I began giving your life a living hell with my husky…’man voice’, as you called it…I annoyed every one of my neighbours…I can’t believe at 25 years old I’m holding an Icon Award.”

Other highlights include the reformation of the surviving members of 90s R&B icons TLC, who were joined on stage by Lil Mama to perform their 1995 hit Waterfalls, Taylor Swift, who was really, really, really grateful, for everything, and Katy Perry‘s ostentatious Japanese geisha outfit.

Readers can check out full performances from the 2013 American Music Awards, below.

Watch: Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball at the 2013 AMAs

http://youtu.be/9t9_ygb0LU8

Watch: Lady Gaga & R. Kelly – Do What U Want at the 2013 AMAs

http://youtu.be/Hmhw7sFwhjo

Watch: Rihanna – Diamonds + Icon Award Acceptance Speech at the 2013 AMAs

http://youtu.be/oij_Tl06hak

Watch: TLC & Lil Mama – Waterfalls at the 2013 AMAs

http://youtu.be/l3kcEGavnoQ

Watch: Katy Perry – Unconditionally at the 2013 AMAs

http://youtu.be/3hxtfvt5a2M

2013 American Music Awards Winners & Nominees

Artist of the Year

Taylor Swift

Justin Timberlake

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Rihanna

Bruno Mars

Single of the Year

Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly – Cruise

Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell & T.I. – Blurred Lines

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz – Thrift Shop

Icon Award

Rihanna

New Artist of the Year

Ariana Grande

Florida Georgia Line

Imagine Dragons

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Phillip Phillips

Favorite Male Artist — Pop/Rock

Justin Timberlake

Bruno Mars

Robin Thicke

Favorite Band, Duo or Group — Pop/Rock

One Direction

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Imagine Dragons

Favorite Album — Pop/Rock

One Direction – Take Me Home

Taylor Swift – Red

Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience

Favorite Male Artist — Country

Luke Bryan

Hunter Hayes

Blake Shelton

Favorite Female Artist — Country

Taylor Swift

Miranda Lambert

Carrie Underwood

Favorite Album — Country

Taylor Swift — Red

Luke Bryan – Crash My Party

Florida Georgia Line – Here’s to the Good Times

Favorite Album — Rap/Hip-Hop

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist

Jay Z – Magna Carta… Holy Grail

Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d. city

Favorite Male Artist — Soul/R&B

Justin Timberlake

Miguel

Robin Thicke

Favorite Female Artist — Soul/R&B

Rihanna

Ciara

Alicia Keys

Favorite Album — Soul/R&B

Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience

Rihanna – Unapologetic

Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines

Favorite Artist — Alternative Rock

Imagine Dragons

The Lumineers

Mumford & Sons

Favorite Artist — Latin Music

Marc Anthony

Prince Royce

Romeo Santos

Favorite Artist — Electronic Dance Music (EDM)

Avicii

Daft Punk

Zedd

Calvin Harris

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