ABC/ADAM LARKEYWin or lose, Kanye West knows how to give a good sound bite.
West was the big winner in the rap/hip-hop category at tonight's American Music Awards in Los Angeles, taking home his first-ever AMAs for Favorite Album and Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist.
In his acceptance speech for Favorite Album, the always humble rapper told the crowd, "I'd like to thank everyone who accepted me trying to break new boundaries in music. It's our responsibility as musicians to keep pushing each other...We will be the new Beatles, the new [Jimi] Hendrix. I want to be Elvis."
While Kanye may have been scored Top Acceptance Speech, the evening's biggest winner was Chris Brown who took home three awards, including the biggie, Artist of the Year.
"I would've gave it to Coldplay," said the 19-year-old singer. "I'm at a loss for words."
Brown's rumored girlfriend, Barbadian beauty Rihanna, won two awards, Favorite Female Soul/R&B Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Female.
Alicia Keyes, who led with five nominations, won for Pop/Rock Album and Soul/R&B album for As I Am.
"I'm very, very shocked and proud to be here," she said, dedicating her award "to all the incredible artists who are here tonight and who show their artistry."
The Jonas Brothers, who arrived to screaming fans, wound up leaving with some hardware for Breakthrough Artist. Ex-American Idol competitors also scored, with also-ran Chris Daughtry and his eponymous band joining former champs Carrie Underwood and Jordin Sparks in the winner's circle.
In fact, there were no big surprises at the annual awards ceremony, which featured performances by West, Christina Aguilera and New Kids on the Block and was hosted for the fourth time by Jimmy Kimmel.
Here's a complete rundown of winners at the 2008 American Music Awards:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Chris Brown
POP/ROCK
- Male Artist: Chris Brown
- Female Artist: Rihanna
- Band, Duo or Group: Daughtry
- Album: As I Am, Alicia Keys
SOUL/R&B
- Male Artist: Chris Brown
- Female Artist: Rihanna
- Album: As I Am, Alicia Keys
RAP/HIP-HOP
- Male Artist: Kanye West
- Band, Duo or Group: Three 6 Mafia
- Album: Graduation, Kanye West
COUNTRY
- Male Artist: Brad Paisley
- Female Artist: Taylor Swift
- Band, Duo or Group: Rascal Flatts
- Album: Carnival Ride, Carrie Underwood
ADULT CONTEMPORARY
- Artist: Jordin Sparks
ALTERNATIVE ROCK
- Artist: Linkin Park
LATIN
- Artist: Enrique Iglesias
CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
- Artist: Third Day
SOUNDTRACK
- Album: Alvin and the Chipmunks
T-MOBILE BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST
- Jonas Brothers
AWARD OF MERIT
- Annie Lennox