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
