2008 American Music Awards

Winners:

Artist of the Year: Chris Brown

Favourite Pop/Rock Male Artist: Chris Brown

Favourite Soul/R&B Male Artist: Chris Brown

Favourite Pop/Rock Female Artist: Rihanna

Favourite Soul/R&B Female Artist: Rihanna

Favourite Pop/Rock Album: Alicia Keys' As I Am

Favourite Soul/R&B Album: Alicia Keys' As I Am

Favourite Rap/Hip-hop Male Artist: Kanye West

Favourite Rap/Hip-hop Album: Kanye West's Graduation

Favourite Pop/Rock Band, Duo, or Group: Daughtry

Favourite Country Male Artist: Brad Paisley

Favourite Country Female Artist: Taylor Swift

Favourite Country Band, Duo, or Group: Rascal Flatts

Favourite Country Album: Carrie Underwood's Carnival Ride

Favourite Rap/Hip-hop Band, Duo, or Group: Three 6 Mafia

Breakthrough Artist: Jonas Brothers

Favourite Inspirational Artist: Third Day

Favourite Alternative Rock Artist: Linkin Park

Favourite Contemporary Artist: Jordin Sparks

Favourite Latin Artist: Enrique Iglesias

Favourite Soundtrack Album: Alvin & The Chipmunks

Nihal Farid: "Crime and punishment grow out of one stem," Emerson said. Ali Zafar's new video Aag, which contains a deeper message for the youth is the best example of it. We have to understand the theme behind the song as well as the video. Ali Zafar plays a youth trapped in the vicious circle of life. One gets to see his aggressive side and the lighter side, too. The video portrays him as a bad guy snatching away a cell phone and eventually killing its owner. Afterwards he laments because of guilt and lets out his frustration. Still, dominated by his evil side, he keeps bullying people. Meanwhile, the sight of a woman is the only thing, which, for a few moments cools him down and makes him aware of his wrongdoings. At this instant, I am reminded of the words of Paulo Coelho: "Beauty is the great seducer of man." Though the video, on the whole, may look more of an action film, it shows that Ali Zafar is fond of experimenting, be it his videos or his looks. At the climax, the police call him to surrender. Instead of giving up, he shoots at them but receives bullets himself and dies. Unlike most of the videos, this is one that requires a serious thought from its viewers. Apart from the usual chocolate-boy looks which the majority associates him with, Ali Zafar, with his rough new look, once again tempts the girls and boys equally as I found my younger brother too, mesmerised by his charm.

(Your opinions can also be a part of 'The Vibe'. If there's anything you'd like to say about some music related topic, then email Us your views (in no more than 250 words) at sameenamer@hotmail.com and your comments just might appear on this page!)

Earlier this year, Atif Aslam's tour saw the singer performing in countries including USA, Canada, UK, Dubai, India, Mauritius and Bangladesh. This week, the singer tells Us about this tour and what it feels like to perform abroad:

Us: How was the experience of performing in all these countries?

Atif Aslam: It's always nice to perform abroad. It feels like I'm representing my country in those countries. It's so much fun to go on tours with my band members and make new friends. It's always a great learning experience in terms of sound technicalities and production, and it always gives me another chance to thank Allah.

Us: Is there any added pressure when performing outside your homeland?

Atif: Well, the pressure is the same. The only thing is that I have to take care of the audience demands; sometimes there are more Pakistanis, sometimes more Indians, so I have to entertain both of them according to their expectations.

Us: Which gig have you enjoyed the most so far?

Marvel has released an official synopsis for the film The First Avenger: Captain America. Born in a poor family during the Great Depression, Steve Rogers grows up as a frail youth. To fight against the Nazis, Rogers is inspired to enlist in the army. However, because of his frailty and sickness, he is rejected. Overhearing the boy's earnest plea, General Chester Phillips offers Rogers the opportunity to take part in a special experiment, Operation: Rebirth. After weeks of tests, Rogers is administered the "Super-Soldier" Serum. He emerges from the treatment as a super soldier and is then put through an intensive physical and tactical training programme. Three months later, he is given his first assignment as Captain America. Armed with his indestructible shield, Captain America then continues his war against evil. Chronicles of Narnia writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely have been hired to write the story while Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park III) will direct the flick. The First Avenger: Captain America hits theatres on May 6, 2011.

Is the old adage true? Do girls really not like action or horror movies? 'Girls, what is your favourite action or horror film?'  

'I'm a girl,' says Abeer Fatyma Hashmy, 'and have not really been enthusiastic about action flicks, but I watched a few out of sheer curiosity. I have seen Mission Impossible, Transformers and few others. But the action movies that caught my utter awe were The Bourne Trilogy! It is fascinating in plot, acting, soundtrack everything! All other action movies seem superficial next to The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. As of now, I am watching them for the 4th time (only) and will upload them on my iPod soon. These are the movie s worth watching over and over again! Matt Damon has done a superb job in portraying the unassuming yet lethal character of Jason Bourne. Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy and Bourne movies are on the top of my list. Maybe guys dig pure action plus story and gals prefer a good story line to hard core action.'

Waging his one-man war on the world of organised crime, ruthless vigilante-hero Frank Castle sets his sights on mob boss Billy Russoti. After Russoti is left horribly disfigured by Castle, he sets out for vengeance under his new alias: Jigsaw. With the 'Punisher Task Force' hot on his trail and the FBI unable to take Jigsaw in, Frank must stand up to the formidable army that Jigsaw has recruited before more of his evil deeds go unpunished.