Mary J Blige performs at the 2009 American Music Awards (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
The 2009 American Music Awards handed out a few trophies and honored the best players in the music business, but it was the standout performances by Janet Jackson, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston and more that made the show memorable. Rarely does an award show hold your attention with performances that go above and beyond expectations, but the 2009 AMAs did just that.
Watch Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston and more: Top 5 performances at the AMAs
Country music had a big night, as Gloriana won for Breakthrough Artist of the Year (beating Lady Gaga, Kid Cudi, and Keri Hilson) and Taylor Swift bested Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga and Eminem for Artist of the Year. In all, Swift won five awards on Sunday night. Unable to be at the AMAs, Swift gave her thank you speeches via satellite from London.
"Music has never been openly about competition and to even be mentioned in a category with Michael Jackson, who will be missed and loved forever, is an unimaginable honor," Swift said.
Michael Jackson won four awards, including Favorite Male Artist Soul/R&B and Favorite Male Artist Pop/Rock. Jermaine Jackson accepted the awards on his brother's behalf, saying, "The message that Michael had will live on forever," he said. "He saw good in everyone and he wanted everyone to do good. He always started with love."
Adam Lambert performed a racy finale for the American Music Awards, singing "For Your Entertainment" and simulating oral sex with a dancer on stage.
Watch Adam Lambert's racy performance: Lambert performs "For Your Entertainment"
Janet Jackson opened the AMA's with a medley of her greatest hits and Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Whitney Houston, and Carrie Underwood all had remarkable performances. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys once again performed "Empire State of Mind" while Jennifer Lopez sang her new single "Louboutin." Lopez did have a brief fall on stage during her performance, but she did her best to recover.
Watch Janet Jackson's performance: Janet Jackson rocks the AMAs
Daughtry performed "Life After You," while Greenday, Eminem, Timberland and SoShy, 50 Cent, Shakira, Keith Urban, The Black Eyed Peas, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson and more rocked the house.
Below, check out 20 photos from the 2009 American Music Awards, featuring Keri Hilson, Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, The Black Eyed Peas and more!
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Comments
I watched the American Music Awards last night and I was appalled, perhaps the producers should request an R rating for their program. It's great to have young kids watch the antics of Janet Jackson grabing her crotch a number of times and then later on in her performance grabing the crotch of one of the dancers. That was bad enough, but someone just had to out do Janet and it was another dispicable display by Adam Lambert.
Maybe the statement that "America has become morally bankrupt", is true.
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