Kanye West, Alicia Keys to perform at AMAs

Following up his appearance at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, rapper-turned-torch singer Kanye West has been tapped to appear at the upcoming American Music Awards, and singer-songwriter Annie Lennox will be recognized with an "award of merit." This will mark West's third appearance at a music award show in the last year, including his performance at the Grammy gala in February.

Set for Sunday, Nov. 23, the American Music Awards, which run the risk of being upstaged by the release of Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy," have also tapped R&B singer Alicia Keys to perform. Another award-circuit regular, Keys, who is up for artist of the year at this year's AMAs, will be performing a sort of victory-lap for her 2007 album "As I Am." Expect the latter to also be rewarded come Grammy-nomination time, which will be unveiled on Dec. 3.

The Fray have also been announced as performers. The adult contempory rockers are due to release a long-awaited follow-up to 2005's "How to Save A Life" either the end of the year or early 2009.

The AMAs will be broadcast live on ABC at 8 p.m. -- taped delayed for the West Coast -- from the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel will host.

--Todd Martens

Photo: Associated Press

Comments

[Holly]

It's awesome that The Fray will be performing!! :)

this is their comeback!

I can't wait.