Taylor Swift accepts Dick Clark Award for Excellence at AMAs in LA, takes jab at Spotify

(CREDIT: REUTERS / MARIO ANZUONI)Musician Taylor Swift poses backstage with her awards for artist of the year, favorite country artist - female, favorite country album for ''Red'' and favorite female pop/rock at the 41st American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California November 24, 2013.

Musician Taylor Swift has become a staple in major music awards show, nabbing multiple awards and presenting high-production performances since her self-titled breakout album in 2005. Fast forward five albums, with her latest release called '1989,' and fifteen American Music Awards wins later, Swift is the first recipient of the Dick Clark Award for Excellence.

The acclaim was presented by music legend Diana Ross, who gave an opening speech in memory of Dick Clark.

"When I was really young, when I first started in the industry, it was Dick Clark who made is possible for us to be on radio and TV," said Ross, relating to American Bandstand and her time spent with The Supremes.

When it was time for Swift to take the award, the country-turned-pop singer spoke highly of Diana Ross, citing her efforts for standing out during a time when it was difficult for women to stand up for themselves.

Swift also took her speech as an opportunity to fire once more against music streaming site, Spotify. Swift's stand against Spotify became public earlier this month, calling them out for not compensating the artists well enough.

"What you did by going out and investing in music and albums is you are saying that you believe in the same thing that I believe in: that music is valuable and music should be consumed in albums and albums should be consumed as art and appreciated," said Swift during her speech, according to Contact Music.

Copyright © 2014 Ecumenical News