Last night at the American Music Awards, the rising stars of music were rewarded, while hats were tipped to the veterans of the industry.
Taylor Swift was the undisputed star of the night with her impressive collection of 5 trophies, while Jackson earned four.
At age 19, Swift was nominated in six categories. She won the most prestigious award of the evening, which was Favorite Artist of the Year. In Country, the genre in which she reigns, she won the Favorite Country Female Artist trophy and Favorite Country Album trophy for Fearless. In the Pop/Rock category, Swift took home the Favorite Female Artist award as well, proving that her music can easily cross boundaries.
Thanks to his Number Ones compilation album, Jackson won the Favorite Soul/R&B Album of the Year award, despite the fact that the disc was released in 2003. Evidently, his June death drove album sales to the sky, thus winning him the honours.
It’s no big surprise that Jay-Z took home the trophy for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year for The Blueprint 3 and one for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist. His wife Beyoncé also won Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist of the Year, while Michael Jackson won the equivalent Male award.