Los Angeles ? Eminem upstaged newcomer Ashanti at Monday’s 30th annual American Music Awards, collecting trophies in all four categories in which he was nominated. Ashanti collected two new artist awards.

Eminem didn’t attend the show, which was broadcast on ABC, but his “8 Mile” co-star Mekhi Phifer accepted the hip-hop album prize on his behalf.

“Hey y’all, this is Eminem on the phone!” Phifer said as he carried a cell phone onstage after the rapper’s first win.

R&B ingenue Ashanti took honors for favorite new hip-hop/R&B artist and new pop artist. She came into the competition with a leading five nominations.

She was up against Eminem in two of those categories, favorite album in both the pop/rock and hip-hop/R&B categories, and he won both.

“Definitely got to say, thank God for giving me the strength to do this,” said Ashanti, best known for the singles “Foolish” and “Happy,” while accepting the hip-hop award.

The show, broadcast live on ABC, was hosted by the frequently foul-mouthed Ozzy Osbourne, his wife Sharon, and kids Jack and Kelly.

The Osbournes gave network censors a workout. They were bleeped so much during their opening introduction that it was hard for television viewers to understand what they were saying.

After Sharon let slip the F-word while marveling at the size of the audience, Ozzy laughed and shouted, “You can’t take the (bleeping) lady anywhere anymore!”

Two bands that did not attend the event had two awards each. Hard-rock band Creed was honored for favorite rock group and alternative performance, and the Dixie Chicks won for favorite country band and country album for “Home.”

Elton John, left, and Tim McGraw sing Tiny

Mary J. Blige — another absentee — was named favorite female hip-hop artist and OutKast was chosen as favorite hip-hop group. Tim McGraw, who sang a “Tiny Dancer” duet with Elton John at the start of the show, left for Nashville before winning favorite male country artist.

Sheryl Crow won favorite female pop-rock artist. Wearing a T-shirt reading “War is not the answer,” the singer of “Soak Up the Sun” thanked band mates and managers before ending her speech with: “Peace, peace this year!”

Alabama, which took home the award of merit, had one of its biggest fans for its presenter, former President George Bush, who made a taped announcement.

The Osbournes, from left, Sharon, Ozzy, Kelly and Jack, were hosts of the awards show. Daughter Aimee, who does not appear in the family's MTV show, was billed as a presenter but did not show up.

“I’m very proud to be part of tonight’s tribute honoring one of the most highly successful bands country music has ever known,” Bush said. “Their name tells you a lot about them: their birthplace, their close family ties, their respect for traditional artists and music, their courage to bring new ideas to country music, and most of all, their lifelong love of home, state and country.”

The Christian foursome Avalon accepted the honor for contemporary inspirational performance, with group member Jody McBrayer quipping, “I know you don’t know who we are, but thank you.”

Nominees are chosen on the basis of record sales, with winners selected by a survey of about 20,000 listeners.