American Music Awards: The Recap

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By Ella Ilg, Staff Writer

On Sunday night, Nov 19, influential musicians found themselves gathered together in the Microsoft Theater to celebrate the new and the old in music via the American Music Awards.

Bruno Mars took home the most awards, winning Artist of the Year, Favorite Pop/Rock Album, Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Pop Male Artist, Favorite R&B Male Artist, Video of the Year, and Favorite R&B Song, giving him a total of 7 awards. The runner up for most awards was Keith Urban, who won Favorite Male Country Artist, Favorite Country Song and Favorite Country Album.

The show did not go without controversy. Many accused Selena Gomez of lip syncing her new hit song “Wolves” at the performance. Also, many said it wasn’t appropriate for Christina Aguilera to do a tribute to Whitney Houston, with people preferring an African American artist to perform the tribute. People took the moment to make memes out of P!nk’s reaction, who appeared to be cringing the entire performance.

Among tributes were the members of Linkin Park making an emotional speech as they accepted the Favorite Alternative Artist award, using the time to honor their lead singer Chester Bennington who committed suicide last July.

Diana Ross won the American Music Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 73-year-old stepped on stage and performed a medley of all her greatest hits. She was joined by her children and grandchildren who presented the award to her.

Other winners of the night include Niall Horan as New Artist of the year, Lady Gaga as Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist, The Chainsmokers as Favorite EDM Artist, Kendrick Lamar’s Damn as Favorite Rap Album of the Year, Shakira as Favorite Latin Artist, Drake as Favorite Rap Artist, Imagine Dragons as Favorite Pop/Rock Group, Beyonce as Favorite R&B Female Artist, Moana as Favorite Soundtrack, Carrie Underwood as Favorite Female Country Artist, Shawn Mendes as Favorite Contemporary Artist, Lauren Diagle as Favorite Inspirational Artist, Little Big Town as favorite country group, “Despacito” as Collab of the Year and Favorite Pop/Rock Song, Coldplay as Tour of the Year, and “I’m the One” as Favorite Hip Hop Song.

Overall, the award ceremony was a success. The AMA’s never disappoint, always giving us the perfect balance between surprise and satisfaction.