The Black Eyed Peas were triple winners at the 2006 American Music Awards on
Tuesday.
The hip-hop quartet was named favorite group twice, in the rap/hip hop and
soul/rhythm & blues categories. They also won favorite rap/hip-hop album for
"Monkey Business."
Expressing gratitude via satellite from Costa Rica, the bands frontman,
will.i.am, thanked fans and artists "for keeping hip-hop progressive and pushing
it forward."
Awards came in pairs for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J.
Blige and Rascal Flatts.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers were favorite alternative artist and pop/rock band.
They accepted their award via satellite from London, with bass player Flea
beat-boxing as lead singer Anthony Kiedis thanked "the American people."
Clarkson captured trophies for pop/rock female and adult contemporary artist,
categories presented before the televised presentations began in the
performance-filled show. Rascal Flatts won favorite country group and the
T-Mobile Text-In award, which is chosen by fans.
Blige won favorite soul/rhythm & blues album for "The Breakthrough." She
was also the favorite female R&B artist. She accepted the award from
surprise presenter Britney Spears, who looked sleek in a knee-length
cream-colored frock and long blond hair.
Oscar winner Jamie Foxx was named favorite male soul/rhythm & blues
artist.
"Im like a rookie in this music thing," he said. "This means a lot more than
you think, man."
Foxx wore a white tuxedo and sat behind a grand piano to perform "Wish U Were
Here" from his 2005 album, "Unpredictable."
Nickelback took home the trophy for pop/rock album. Dancehall singer Sean
Paul was named favorite male pop/rock artist.
Among country honors, favorite female artist went to Faith Hill, male artist
went to Toby Keith and Tim McGraws "Greatest Hits Volume 2" was favorite album.
Country singer and "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood was named favorite
breakthrough artist.
Eminem was favorite male rap/hip-hop artist. Shakira won favorite Latin
artist, and Kirk Franklin captured the award for contemporary inspirational
music.
