YouTube gives awards to artists whom YouTube users like the most, stretching definition of “award” to breaking point
The inaugural YouTube Music Awards webcast took place this Sunday in New York, an event that combined the glamour and prestige of the Grammys with the dubious cultural relevance of the Grammys. YouTube has posted the winners on its site, allowing the users who decided the awards (by posting videos on their Facebooks and tweets and such) to offer their erudite comments on the results. Eminem was named artist of the year, perhaps because—as awards voter Eva MM points out in the comment threads—“Eminem the only one who doesn't wear skinny jeans and shit, he came back with baggy clothes at the YTMA and NFL haha 🙂 and he didn't go into that electronic shit! Lets keep it 2000s baby.” Other members of the YouTube Music Awards Academy noted that “He is the beest..” and “Check out my latest gaming video.”