Music Awards vary from People's Choices
Campus Times
February 6, 1998
With the arrival of yet another award presentation, the 25th Annual
American Music Awards (AMA) aired across the air waves and onto television
screens Monday, Jan. 26. The jokes and follies of comedian-host Drew Carey
complimented the artistic skills of various artists and groups, as the event
came to life on the stage of the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
The Music Awards are a presentation of the general public's musical
preference. Each nomination is tallied according to sales generated, with
the winner for each musical category derived from the artist or group with
the greatest number of sales.
However, according to votes of some University of La Verne students,
in comparison to the actual winners of the AMA, the results do not always
coincide.
For example, as sophomore diversified major Anna Werner watched the
awards with two friends, she had her own impression of several of the presentations,
including those for which LeAnn Rimes was nominated.
"I saw the whole thing, and I'm glad LeAnn didn't win anything,"
she said. From her perspective, the 15-year-old country singer is "snobby,
snotty and annoying."
Rimes was nominated for the categories of Favorite Country Female Artist
and for Favorite Country Album (for "Early Years: Unchained Melody").
She lost in both areas, however, to country legend Reba McEntire, winner
of the Favorite Country Female Artist category, and George Strait (Favorite
Country Album, "Carrying Your Love With Me").
Among other opinions of the awards were the consistent losses of new
artist Puff Daddy, who was nominated for several categories, including Favorite
Soul/R&B New Artist, Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B
Album ("No Way Out"), Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite
Rock/Pop Male Artist.
"I was impressed by Puff Daddy because every time he was nominated,
people went crazy," said sophomore, Maria Sandoval, an undeclared major
who had the opportunity to attend the Music Awards with a friend.
"I was in awe of his performance and was surprised with the result;
I figured he would get just one [award] because of the reaction from everyone,"
said Sandoval.
Based on several students' opinions, rapper Puff Daddy deserved greater
merit for his accomplishments as a new artist.
"I thought Puffy [Puff Daddy] should have had more recognition,"
agreed Julieta Ramirez, a senior communications major. Among her disappointments
was the fact "that Puffy didn't get more stuff."
Senior Karie O'Neill, a chemistry major, agreed that a portion of the
award recipients were quite surprising. In some instances, she believes
the awards were given to artists who she describes as "off-the-wall
people."
Such surprises of the AMA were the victories of the newest British sensation,
the Spice Girls.
As the team of five women enjoyed the spotlight they received from their
recent movie, "Spice World," they were prepared for their world
tour and could not make it to the event. However, they still performed for
the AMA audience via satellite.
"At first, I didn't hear much reaction about the Spice Girls, but
every time they were nominated for something, people cheered them on,"
said Sandoval, who believes that the Spice Girls pertain to a generally
younger audience.
"There were a group of junior-high girls sitting next to me, and
they were going crazy for the Spice Girls. I'm pretty neutral about them,"
she said.
Of the three categories for which the Spice Girls were elected, the
"girl power" quintette won for each, one of which consisted of
their first album, "Spice," which won for the Favorite Rock/ Pop
Album category.
Overall, though the evening of the American Music Awards proved both
surprising and disappointing to some students, each viewer or spectator
had his/her own opinion of the event.
"I thought it was boring; it lost our attention, and no one was
there to accept their award," Werner said. "I give it two thumbs
down."
For Sandoval, however, being present at the awards was different.
"I didn't know what to expect because I've never been to a concert,
let alone something like that. I loved it; it was something different and
exciting that came and went. I was just excited and happy that I had the
chance to go," she said.
Among other recipients of the American Music Awards included Boyz II
Men (Favorite Soul/R&B Band, Duo, or Group); Julio Iglesias (Favorite
Latin Artist); Celine Dion (Favorite Rock/Pop Female Artist); Elton John
(Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist); Bush (Favorite Alternative Artist);
and "Men in Black" (Favorite Soundtrack), respectively.
A complete listing of the American Music Awards nominees and recipients
is accessible at "Digital Hit" through the Internet (http://www.digitalhit.com/25ama.shtml).
