Los Angeles  - Country starlet Taylor Swift swept up five awards at the American Music Awards on Sunday night, beating Michael Jackson for the coveted artist of the year award.

Jackson won four awards. He was named favourite male artist in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories, while his hits collection Number Ones was named favourite album in both those categories.

"Music has never been ultimately about competition," said Swift, 19, after winning the artist of the year prize. "To even be mentioned in a category with Michael Jackson - who we'll miss and love forever - is an unimaginable honour."

Swift also won the favourite female artist award in the pop/rock and country categories, and was named favourite adult contemporary artist. Her album, Fearless, was voted favourite country album.

Nominations were determined by a combination of retail sales and radio airplay, but the actual award winners were determined by voters in an online poll.

The Black Eyed Peas were named favourite pop/rock band, while the favourite soundtrack award went to Twilight. Jay-Z won favourite male artist and favourite album in the rap/hip-hop categories while Green Day was named favourite alternative artist and Rascal Flatts won favourite country group for the fourth year in a row. (dpa)