Canadian content cleans up at American Music Awards

It may be called the American Music Awards but two Canucks, Drake and Justin Bieber, were the night's big winners, taking home four awards each during Sunday's event.

Bieber beats out Drake in 4 categories, but Toronto rapper got 4 AMAs of his own

CBC News Posted: Nov 20, 2016 1:56 PM EST | Last Updated: November 21, 2016

Toronto rapper Drake accepts Favourite Rap/Hip-Hop Album for Views onstage during the 2016 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theatre Sunday in Los Angeles (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

It may be called the American Music Awards but two Canucks, Justin Bieber and Drake, were the night's bigwinners, taking home four awards each during Sunday'sfan-voted show.

Bieber beat out Drake in all four categories he won, including Favourite Male Artist Pop/Rock, Favourite Song Pop/Rock for Love Yourself,andFavourite Album Pop/Rock for Purpose.

This is giving me all the concert FEELS. @justinbieber you NEVER let me down! #BieberonAMAs pic.twitter.com/EObuUoP4z2
—@AMAs

He also prevailed in Video of the Year forSorry, which was up against the Drake andRihanna duet Work,shot at Toronto's Real Jerk restaurant.

Bieber couldn't make the show in Los Angeles, insteadperforming Let Me Love Youfrom his world tour in Zurich, Switzerland.

Drake thanks Toronto

The awardupset came after Drakewent into the eveningwith 12AMA nominations,beating outMichael Jackson's record for most at a single ceremony.

Drake did sweep the award show's Rap Hip-Hop categories though, picking up Favourite Artist Rap/Hip Hop,Favourite Album Rap/Hip Hop for Views and Favourite Song Rap/Hip Hop for Hotline Bling. He also wonFavourite SongSoul/R&B forWork, the collaboration with Rihanna.

Rapper Drake accepts Favourite Rap/Hip-Hop Album for Views during the 2016 American Music Awards. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

In hisacceptance speech for Favourite Album Rap/Hip Hop, Drakegave a shoutout to his hometown and fellow Degrassistar Nina Dobrev, who presented the award.

"I really want to thank everybody who helped me make this album ...I want to thank the city of Toronto, and of course I want to thank the fans and my parents. My dad's here tonight," he said. His appearance came as somewhat of asurprise the rapper has skipped his fair share of award shows in the past.

Toronto native Shawn Mendes performs a medley of Treat You Better/Mercy at American Music Awards. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

Toronto natives The Weeknd andShawn Mendes, who was up for new artist of the year along with fellow Canuck Alessia Cara, performed at the event at Microsoft Theater. They were the three other Canadians nominated for awards, but were each shut out.

Director Xreflects on his 'work' withRihannaand Drake

Rihanna took home three awards of her own:Favourite Female Artist Soul/R&B, Favourite Album Soul/R&B forAntiand the previously mentioned Favourite Song Soul/R&B award for Workwith Drake.

Ariana Grande performs her hit Side by Side during the 2016 American Music Awards in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

American singer Ariana Grande won the show's biggest prize artist of the year beating out Bieber, Selena Gomez, Rihanna and Carrie Underwood. She also performed a racyversion of her hitSide to Sidealongside NickiMinaj.

Green Day takes aim at Trump

Other big-name performers included John Legend, Maroon 5, The Chainsmokers and Sting, who received the American Music Award of Merit.

Green Day got political during their performance of Bang Bang as band leader Billie Joe Armstrong sang "No KKK, no fascist USA, no Trump."

Toronto recording artist The Weeknd performs Starboy at the American Music Awards. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

The show's hosts, formerSaturday Night Livecomic Jay Pharaoh and modelGigiHadid, also brought up the Trump win, with Hadid impersonating the president-elect's wife, Melania, with a nod to her convention speech that seemed to borrowfrom an earlier Michelle Obama speech.

"I love my husband, President Barack Obama, and our children, Sasha and Malia," she said to big laughs.

Presenters included Taraji P. Henson, Robert Downey Jr., Zoe Saldana and Heidi Klum.