Soulful ladies Alicia Keys, Destiny's Child and the late Aaliyah win big at American Music Awards

Jet, Jan 28, 2002

Alicia Keys, Destiny's Child and the late Aaliyah were big winners at the 29th annual American Music Awards (AMA) ceremony in Los Angeles, each receiving a pair of trophies.

Keys won as favorite new artist in both the pop/rock and R&B categories, and Destiny's Child took home the awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Album for Survivor and Favorite R&B Duo or Group. Aaliyah, who died last year in a plane crash, won Favorite R&B Female Artist and Favorite Album for the self-titled Aaliyah.

Hip-hop music mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs co-hosted the three-hour awards show with actress and MTV television personality Jenny McCarthy.

Other winners were Lenny Kravitz (Pop/Rock Male), Janet Jackson (Pop/ Rock Female), Luther Vandross (R&B Male), Nelly (Rap/Hip-Hop), Sade (Adult Contemporary Artist) and Yolanda Adams (Contemporary Inspirational).

Michael Jackson was named Artist of the Century for his phenomenal success in the industry during the 20th century. His appearance at the American Music Awards was part of the controversy between that show and the upcoming Grammy Awards. Dick Clark, who produces the American Music Awards, filed a $10 million lawsuit against Grammy chief Michael Greene for insisting that artists cannot perform on the Grammys if they've performed at the American Music Awards. That has long been a problem for many artists who have wanted to perform on both award shows. Clark, when he filed the lawsuit, mentioned that he wanted Michael Jackson to perform and that the legendary singer wanted to sing on the American Music Awards, but wanted to skirt the controversy. Jackson accepted the special award presented by comedian Chris Tucker, but did not perform. That controversial lawsuit dominated most of the interviews and comments made by artists all evening long.

Backstage, Master P brought his son, Lil' Romeo, with him, telling reporters, "The success of my son is really a blessing." He said Lil' Romeo will soon have a television show that win resemble "The Partridge Family." Regarding any controversy involving his son, he said, "We're having fun. We're financially stable and don't have to worry about the haters."

When criticized for allowing an 11-year-old to work, he responded forcefully: "He's not working! It's fun." He pointed out that some basketball players in the NBA begin working at it from the age of 5 until they join the NBA. Lil' Romeo grabbed the microphone and said, "It's a hobby for me."

Destiny's Child, weary of being asked about an imminent breakup, said, "We're still here and we're going out on tour."

Also along lines of controversy, Jagged Edge said there's no controversy with 112. "They felt compelled to say some things about us; we didn't agree with it and that was it."

'N Sync was asked about its song Gone, its first hit that's climbing up R&B charts. Justin Timberlake told reporters that the group is fortunate that a whole new audience is hearing that song. He said he grew up idolizing R&B singers Marvin Gaye and Al Green and pointed out that Michael Jackson idolized James Brown.

Yolanda Adams, who received one of the few standing ovations of the evening, told reporters "Thank God" that inspirational music is being recognized "as a legitimate art form."