The World Music Awards were given away last evening in London for the first time. The evening was supposed to feature a ‘comeback’ performance from
Michael Jackson, but instead saw him singing We Are the World on stage with a throng of children (!!!). Chris Brown
instead performed MJ’s hit song, Thriller, which many people thought, Jackson would perform himself.
When Jackson failed to greet his awaiting fans which resulted in some boos from the crowd.
Beyonce opened the show with a melody of her singles,
Ring the Alarm and Deja Vu and she later took home the award for Best International Female, which was surprisingly given to her by
Tommy Hilfiger. Kanye West stayed quiet (and sober) to take home World’s Best Hip-Hop artist, beating out
TI and Busta. Madonna was named Worlds Best Pop Artist and Nelly Furtado won the Best Pop/Rock Artist award.
When it came time for the all important Michael Jackson performance, organizers explained there was a “misunderstanding” and that
Brown, not Jackson would perform the song. Jackson did accept his Diamond Award from
Beyonce for selling over 100 million albums worldwide, a feat in its’ own right.
Beyonce was noted as saying to the crowd,
“He’s
made such a big impact on my life and on every performer’s life, Michael Jackson, we love you. Congratulations to the King”.
Jackson said in response to the award, “I’m
greatly humbled by this award. It was my dream that Thriller would become
the biggest selling album ever. I thank God and you
for it’s success. There have been so many who have loved and stood by me for the
25 years I have been in the entertainment industry. I’d like to thank my children
particularly Paris, Prince and Blanket for their unconditional love.”
Afterwards,
a teenage choir joined Jackson on-stage for the performance, where
Jackson notably only managed to sing a few lines, faltering on high
notes and stopping suddenly when the music accompaniment halted
abruptly.
Below
is the 2006 World Music Awards winners:
World’s
Best Pop Artist – Madonna
World’s Best Pop/Rock Artist – Nelly Furtado
World’s
Best Rock Group – Nickelback
World’s Best R’n’B Artist – Beyoncé
World’s
Best Rap/ Hip Hop Artist – Kanye West
World’s Best Latin Artist – Shakira
World’s Best DJ – Bob Sinclair
World’s Best New Artist – James Blunt
Diamond
Award – Michael Jackson
An interesting mix of winners for the
World Music Awards to say the least.
