Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child score AMAs

Hodepodge of music

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Host Cedric the Entertainer speaks onstage.

Comedian Cedric The Entertainer hosted the three-hour ceremony, broadcast live on ABC from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

He took to the stage wearing a grey pinstripe suit and holding a boombox that he dubbed the first iPod. He quickly noted that new versions of Apple Computer Inc.’s digital music player seem to be coming out all the time and getting smaller and smaller.

“I got the new Apple Tic-Tac. It freshens your breath and plays one song,” he joked.

The scene on the red carpet before the show reflected the hodgepodge of musical genres being honored at the AMAs, with hip-hop, pop and country stars making their way through the gantlet of press.

“It’s an American quilt,” said Lauper, who arrived in a black dress with sheer sleeves and a fringed hem.

She and McLachlan exchanged compliments backstage after the rousing response they received for their duet on “Time After Time,” which was co-written by Lauper.

“’Time after Time’ is one of the best pop songs ever written, in my opinion. It’s an incredible, beautiful, timeless song,” McLachan said.

music AMA AWARDS WINNERS Pop-Rock: Male artist: Will Smith Female artist: Gwen Stefani Band, duo or group: The Black Eyed Peas Album: “American Idiot,” Green Day Soul-R&B: Male artist: R. Kelly Female artist: Mariah Carey Band, duo or group: Destiny’s Child Album: “Destiny Fulfilled,” Destiny’s Child Country: Male artist:Tim McGraw Female artist: Gretchen Wilson Band, duo or group: Brooks & Dunn Album: “Live Like You Were Dying,” Tim McGraw Rap-Hip Hop: Male artist: Eminem Female artist: Missy Elliott Band, duo or group: The Black Eyed Peas Album: “The Massacre,” 50 Cent Adult Contemporary: Artist: Kelly Clarkson Latin Music: Artist: Shakira Breakthrough: New artist: Sugarland T-Mobile Text-In Award (voted by public): Kelly Clarkson

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