Hip Hop Gets Cold Shoulder At American Music Awards

The American Music Awards kicked off the award season in style and are a showcase of the finest in each musical genre. But this year found Hip Hop to be the one to get the cold shoulder on the big stage.

Boasting performances by Chris Brown (w/ T-Pain), Mary J Blige, Fergie (w/ Will.i.am), Queen Latifah, Rihanna (w/ Ne Yo), Alicia Keys (w/ Shabba Ranks, Elephant Man and others) and Beyonce (performing her hit “Irreplaceable” with bluegrass group Sugarland), the 2007 AMAs were missing the element of hip hop throughout the show.

While there were no hip hop performances throughout the event, the Hip Hop/Rap category also saw no action during the televised event.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony won the award for Favorite Band, Duo or Group (Rap/Hip Hop) and claimed it on air. But as for Favorite Male Artist and Favorite Album (both won by T.I.), neither was presented during the show.

Could this have anything to do with T.I.‘s recent arrest or was this a reflection of Hip Hop being in a slump? Regardless, here’s this year’s winners from the Hip Hop/Rap and Soul/Rhythm & Blues categories (as well as other categories involving Hip Hop and R&B artists).

Breakthrough Artist

Daughtry

Robin Thicke

Plain White Tees

Favorite Male Artist

Akon

Ne Yo

T-Pain

Favorite Male Artist (Pop/Rock)

Akon

Timbaland

Justin Timberlake

Favorite Male Artist (Rap/Hip Hop)

T.I.

Fabolous

Young Jeezy

Favorite Album Soul/Rhythm & Blues

Beyonce/ B’Day

R. Kelly/ Double Up

Justin Timberlake/Futuresex LoveSounds

International Artist Award

Beyonce

Favorite Band, Duo or Group (Rap/Hip Hop)

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Pretty Ricky