LOS ANGELES - Kanye West's reason for throwing a tantrum was removed early Sunday night as the rapper won his first American Music Awards.
His CD, "Graduation," won favourite rap/hip-hop album. If he was humbled by his win, he didn't show it in his grandiose acceptance speech.
"I'd like to thank everyone who accepted me trying to break new boundaries in music," said West.
"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."
He also won favourite rap/hip-hop male, but in generous mood, he said he would give his trophy to best-selling rapper and fellow nominee Lil Wayne.
"If it was last year, it would have been my award," he said.
Four years ago, West threw one of his first awards-show tantrums when Gretchen Wilson beat him for favourite new artist, beginning what has become somewhat of a tradition at awards shows -- the Kanye outburst.
West was also set to take the stage to perform a song of his new CD, "808s & Heartbreak," during the performance-packed show, which featured sets by Miley Cyrus and Ne-Yo.
The American Music Awards traditionally centres on its performances and it featured high energy sets from Ne-Yo and Miley Cyrus, though a pair of lacklustre medleys opened the program at the Nokia Theatre. Christina Aguilera channelled Madonna and the New Kids on the Block channelled an earlier version of themselves as each sang their latest singles and greatest hits.
Pink, whose new track, "Sober," was awkwardly introduced by slurring rocker Scott Weiland.
Musical lovebirds Rihanna and Chris Brown captured the first two trophies of the night: she won favourite female soul/R&B artist and he won favourite male pop/rock artist. Rihanna also won for favourite pop/rock female.
"Now I have another American Music Award: this is a big deal," she said.
Alicia Keys, who led the nominees with five nods, including artist of the year and favourite female artist in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories, won early in the show: favourite pop/rock 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."
Other early winners included Brad Paisley, for favourite country artist, Taylor Swift for favourite female country act and Rascal Flatts for favourite country band, duo or group.
Jimmy Kimmel returned for a fifth time as host of the three-hour show, broadcast live on ABC, poking fun at the celebrity-filled crowd during his opening monologue.
Recapping the year in music, he cracked: "Christina Aguilera had a baby...Mariah Carey married one."
Carey's husband, Nick Cannon, kissed her hand as she took the stage to perform her new single, "I Stay in Love." Other performers included Coldplay.
