BOYZ II MEN TOPS AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

Boyz II Men capitalized on all but one of its four nominations at the 22nd annual American Music Awards. Ace of Base, Michael Bolton, and Reba McEntire received two trophies apiece.

``I'll Make Love to You'' brought Boyz II Men honors for favorite single in the pop-rock and soul-rhythm and blues categories, and the vocalists won top soul-R&B group. They lost only a bid for adult contemporary artist.

Monday night's awards show honored American Music Award veterans along with new stars ranging from Counting Crows to Snoop Doggy Dogg.

Top male artist awards went to Michael Bolton in pop-rock, Babyface in soul-R&B, and Garth Brooks in country. Favorite female artists were Mariah Carey in pop-rock, Anita Baker in soul-R&B, and McEntire in country.

Bolton also collected the award for favorite adult contemporary artist; McEntire's other victory was in the country album competition for her ``Read My Mind.''

Capping a phenomenal rise to popularity, Sweden's Ace of Base quartet was named pop-rock's favorite new artist.

Country winners also included Tim McGraw as favorite new artist, Vince Gill's ``Whenever You Come Around'' as favorite single, and Alabama, which picked up its 13th consecutive favorite-group trophy.

Toni Braxton's self-titled album aced the competition in soul-R&B, and the youthful vocalists of All-4-One clinched the category's new artist honor.

``The Lion King'' soundtrack was chosen over Counting Crows's ``August and Everything After'' and Carey's ``Music Box'' as favorite pop-rock album.

Counting Crows collected a trophy for alternative music artist, and Nirvana took top honors in the heavy metal-hard rock category.

Snoop Doggy Dogg, the rap star accused of murder, won his first American Music Award as favorite rap hip-hop star. After a low-key acceptance speech, Snoop returned backstage, where he refused to answer reporters' questions.

The three-hour show closed with a tribute to ``We Are the World,'' the anthem that raised money to fight hunger in Africa. It was recorded by 45 stars after the American Music Awards show in 1985.

Winners of the American Music Awards are chosen based on a poll of a demographically diverse group of record buyers from around the country.