By Anthony Breznican
The Associated Press
L OS 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 “8
Mile” co-star Mekhi Phifer accept-
ed the hip-hop album prize on his
behalf.
“Hey y’all, this is Eminem on the
phone!” Phifer said as he carried
a cell phone onstage after the rap-
per’s first win.
R&B ingenue Ashanti took hon-
ors for favorite new hip-hop/R&B
artist and new pop artist. She came
into the competition with a lead-
ing five nominations.
She was up against Eminem in
two of those categories, favorite
album in both the pop/rock and
hip-hop/R&B categories, and he
won both.
“Definitely got to say, thank God
for giving me the strength to do this,”
said Ashanti, best known for the sin-
gles “Foolish” and “Happy,” while
accepting the hip-hop award.
The show, broadcast live on
ABC, was hosted by the frequently
foul-mouthed Ozzy Osbourne, his
wife Sharon, and kids Jack and
Kelly. Rarely seen daughter Aimee
was billed as a presenter but was
a no-show.
The Osbournes gave network cen-
sors a workout. They were bleeped so
much during their opening introduc-
tion that it was hard for television
viewers to understand what they
were saying.
The Osbournes took the stage, bel-
lowing and teasing former pop star
couple Justin Timberlake and Britney
Spears, who were sitting apart but
seemed to take the kidding well.
“Why aren’t you two gorgeous
people together?” asked Sharon
before quipping about Justin: “I’m
going to have to take him, Britney!”
After Sharon let slip the F-word
while marveling at the size of the
audience, Ozzy laughed and shouted,
“You can’t take the [bleeping] lady
anywhere anymore!”
Two bands that did not attend the
event had two awards each. Hard-
rock band Creed was honored for
favorite rock group and alternative
performance, and the Dixie Chicks
won fo