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LOS ANGELES — Kanye West's reason for throwing a tantrum was removed Sunday as the rapper won his first "American Music Awards" honors.

His CD, "Graduation," won favorite ra\n\nhip-hop album. If he was humbled by his win, he didn't show it in his grandiose acceptance speech.

"I'd like to thank everyone who accepted me trying to break new boundaries in music," West said. "It's our responsibility as musicians to keep pushing each other. . . . We will be the new Beatles, the new (Jimi) Hendrix. I want to be Elvis."

He also won favorite ra\n\nhip-hop male, but in a generous mood, he said he would give his trophy to best-selling rapper and fellow nominee Lil Wayne.

"If it was last year, it would have been my award," he said.

Four years ago, West threw one of his first awards-show tantrums when Gretchen Wilson beat him for favorite new artist, beginning what has become somewhat of a tradition at awards shows — the Kanye outburst.

"The American Music Awards" traditionally centers on its performances, and it featured high-energy sets from Ne-Yo and Miley Cyrus, though a pair of lackluster medleys opened the program at the Nokia Theatre.

Christina Aguilera channeled Madonna, and the New Kids on the Block channeled an earlier version of themselves as each sang their latest singles and greatest hits.

Pink's new track, "Sober," was awkwardly introduced by slurring rocker Scott Weiland.

Musical lovebirds Rihanna and Chris Brown captured the first two trophies of the night: she won favorite female soul/R&B artist, and he won favorite male po\n\nrock artist. Rihanna also won for favorite po\n\nrock female.

"Now I have another 'American Music Award': This is a big deal," she said.

Alicia Keys, who led the nominees with five nods, including artist of the year and favorite female artist in both the po\n\nrock and soul/R&B categories, won early in the show: favorite po\n\nrock album for "As I Am."

"I'm very, very shocked and proud to be here," she said, dedicating her award "to all the incredible artists who are here tonight and who show their artistry."

Annie Lennox was to receive the Award of Merit, an honor previously bestowed on Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra and James Brown, among others.

"I can look back now and see the body of work behind me, with Dave Stewart and the Eurythmics and my own solo work. I'm pleased with it," she said before the show started. "And I want to carry on, so I suppose my longevity is a good thing for other women that are coming out. You don't have to be 15 or 20. You can be in your 50s, man, and rock."

Other winners included Brad Paisley for favorite country artist, Taylor Swift for favorite female country act, and Rascal Flatts for favorite country band, duo or group. Jimmy Kimmel returned for a fifth time as host of the three-hour show, broadcast live on ABC.