Pop superstar Michael Jackson was named the “Artist of the Century” today (January 9, 2002), during the 29th Annual American Music Awards.
The event took place at the Shrine Auditorium, in Los Angeles and was co-hosted by music mogul Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and MTV personality Jenny McCarthy.
Comedian Chris Tucker presented Michael Jackson with the award, which gave the legendary pop singer a grand total of 26 American Music Awards throughout his career.
But, the show was controversial, because Dick Clark, who produced the American Music Awards, wanted Michael Jackson to perform.
But then Grammy chief Michael Green had insisted that artists who had performed at the American Music Awards would not allow to be performed on the Grammy stage.
The dispute led to a $10 million lawsuit against the Grammy’s.
Other notables that were in attendance during 29th Annual American Music Awards included Master P, Lil Romeo, Nelly, Luther Vandross, Destiny’s Child, and Alicia Keys.
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