LOS ANGELES (AP) — Taylor Swift was crowned artist of the year at the American Music Awards for a second time.

“This is so crazy!” the country superstar said after beating such contenders as Adele, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry to capture all three awards that she was nominated for at Sunday’s ceremony, including artist of the year, the show’s highest accolade that she previously claimed in 2009.

“I ended up writing the record by myself, so the fact that you would honour it this way, you have no idea what this means to me,” said Swift after winning the trophy for favourite country album for “Speak Now.” She was also awarded the prize for favourite country female artist.

Nicki Minaj, the pink-loving hip-hop diva, won two awards Sunday. She kicked off the 39th annual fan-favourite ceremony by sporting a pair of speakers on her much-talked about posterior and was later honoured as favorite rap/hip-hop artist, besting a group that included mentor Lil Wayne, and won favourite rap/hip-hop album for “Pink Friday.”

“There’s so much love in this room,” beamed the pink-haired Minaj.

Adele had been the night’s leading nominee with four nods, but didn’t have much of a presence at the show.