Reggae artist Sean Paul backstage with his pop/rock Favourite Male Artiste Award at the 2006 American Music Awards on Tuesday. - reuters

LOS ANGELES (AP):

Sean Paul had always been a groomsman, never a groom, at the American Music Awards, until now.

"This is the first time I've been able to go up there and thank people," said the year's Favourite Pop-Rock Male Artiste, wearing a sweeping black velvet jacket. "It's been a great day."

Paul was nominated for two rap/hip hop AMAs in 2003.

The Jamaican dancehall star, who beat out Nick Lachey and Kanye West in the category, joked about West's outburst at the MTV Europe Movie Awards when he lost.

"I was kind of looking out. If Nick had won and Kanye had gone up there, I would have gone up with him!"

West, apparently disappointed at not winning for best video earlier this month, had crashed the stage with an expletive-filled tirade.