Eminem wins four American Music Awards

Los Angeles: Eminem upstaged newcomer Ashanti at the 30th annual American Music Awards, collecting trophies in all four categories in which he was nominated. Ashanti collected two new artist awards.
Eminem didn''t attend Monday''s show, which was broadcast on the ABC television network, but his co-star Mekhi Phifer accepted the hip-hop album prize for him."Hey y''all, this is Eminem on the phone!" Phifer said as he carried a cell phone onstage after the rapper''s first win.
R&B ingenue Ashanti took honours for favourite new hip-hop, R&B artist and new pop artist. She came into the competition with a leading five nominations. "Definitely got to say, thank God for giving me the strength to do this," said Ashanti, best known for the singles and , while accepting the hip-hop award. The show was hosted by the frequently foul-mouthed Ozzy Osbourne, his wife Sharon, and kids Jack and Kelly.
Two bands that did not attend the event had two awards each. Hard-rock band Creed was honoured for favourite rock group and alternative performance, and the Dixie Chicks won for favourite country band and country album for .
Mary J Blige, another absentee, was named favourite female hip-hop artist and OutKast was chosen as favorite hip-hop group. Tim McGraw, who sang a duet with Elton John at the start of the show, left for Nashville before winning favourite male country artist. Sheryl Crow won favourite female pop-rock artist. Wearing a T-shirt reading "War is not the answer," the singer of thanked band mates and managers before ending her speech with: "Peace, peace this year!"