The 40^th anniversary of the American Music Awards last night did not disappoint.  Justin Bieber was the night’s big winner taking home the most prestigious award, Artist of the Year and two other trophies: Favorite Pop/Male Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Album.   

Nicki Minaj, also had a good night taking home two awards: Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album for Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.   

In a few categories that weren’t announced on camera: Beyonce won for Favorite Soul RnB Artist, Rihanna won Soul RnB Album for “Talk that Talk.” New Artist of the year went to Carly Rae Jepsen, Usher won for Favorite Soul RnB Male Artist beating out Chris Brown, and in a new category at the AMA’s David Guetta won in the Electronic Dance Music category beating out Skrillex and Calvin Harris.

Some of the performance highlights were Usher’s opening performance medley of Climax, Numb and Can’t Stop Won’t Stop and Pink’s amazing performance of “Try” in what looked like a domestic violence scene set to music. 

Winners:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Justin Bieber 

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Carly Rae Jepsen

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Justin Bieber

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Katy Perry
 
FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK
Maroon 5

FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK
Justin Bieber/Believe

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Luke Bryan

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Taylor Swift

FAVORITE BAND, DUO or GROUP - COUNTRY
Lady Antebellum

FAVORITE ALBUM - COUNTRY
Carrie Underwood/Blown Away

FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
Nicki Minaj

FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP
Nicki Minaj/Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Usher

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Beyoncé

FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B
Rihanna/Talk That Talk

FAVORITE ARTIST - ALTERNATIVE ROCK
Linkin Park

FAVORITE ARTIST - ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Adele

FAVORITE ARTIST - LATIN
Shakira

FAVORITE ARTIST - CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
tobyMac                

FAVORITE ARTIST - ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
David Guetta