Coldplay Honoured For Selling Albums

11/10/08 11:44am

by Steve McLean (CHARTattack)

Coldplay — safe enough for your mom, but just edgy enough to give wannabe hipsters minor cred — have used that status to become the biggest selling act around the globe.

At least that's what they were named at the 20th annual World Music Awards in Monte Carlo, Monaco on Sunday evening for their Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends album. Coldplay were also named rock act of the year, but weren't on hand to revel in their accolades.

Luckily for the 32,000 well-heeled residents of the tiny but extremely wealthy principality, trailer trash hero Kid Rock was present. His Rock N Roll Jesus album won him the male pop and pop/rock categories, based on sales figures provided by the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry.

Britain's Leona Lewis received the female pop and new artist awards, while Amy Winehouse was named female pop/rock act of the year for Back To Black. Whether or not she remembers remains to be seen.

Alicia Keys' As I Am took the best R&B artist category, while Chris Brown was the top R&B male and Estelle was the best new R&B act. Lil Wayne took the hip-hop/rap category for Tha Carter III. Akon was hailed as the biggest internet artist, while Laurent Wolf is apparently the world's best DJ.

Awards were also given out to the biggest artists from individual countries, giving Canada another opportunity to proudly claim Celine Dion as its own.

Alaska governor Sarah Palin may have failed in her bid to become U.S. vice-president, but the geographically challenged hockey mom may have played a behind-the-scenes role at the WMAs. While countries like China, France, Germany, Italy (give it up for Jovanotti), Japan and others were singled out, Akon was named the top artist from Africa. Meanwhile, Tuface took the award for Nigeria. Last time I checked, Nigeria was in Africa.

Ringo Starr accepted the diamond award on behalf of The Beatles. The prize was created in 2001 to recognize artists who've sold more than 100 million albums during their career.

Lindsay Lohan, who hosted the 2006 awards show, had apparently been asked to reprise that role despite a somewhat bumbling previous performance. But that was scuttled and Jesse Metcalfe emceed the event. Who the hell is he?