Los Angeles  - Rapper Kanye West wants to be the new Elvis, but he'd also settle for the Beatles or Jimi Hendrix.

That's the goal the super-ambitious rapper announced after he was named favourite male rap/hip-hop artist at the American Music Awards late Sunday night and his CD, Graduation, won favorite rap/hip-hop album.

"It's our responsibility as musicians to keep pushing each other," West said. "We will be the new Beatles, the new (Jimi) Hendrix. I want to be Elvis."

But he faces stiff competition from the likes of Chris Brown, who was the big winner at the awards. Brown, 19, was named artist of the year, as well as favourite male artist in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories.

"I don't know what to say. I would have given it to Coldplay," said Brown.

Brown's girlfriend Rihanna also did well. She was named favourite female artist in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories, while veteran rocker Annie Lenox won the Award of Merit. Alicia Keys also won two awards as her album As I Am, was named both pop/rock and soul/R&B album winner.

The show at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles featured performances by Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Rihanna, West, Miley Cyrus and Jonas Brothers, who also won the breakthrough artist award. (dpa)