50 Cent a triple Mobo winner

Controversial US rapper 50 Cent was a triple winner at tonight’s Mobo awards.

The star won best album for Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ and best single for In Da Club.

And he was crowned best hip hop act at the Royal Albert Hall awards bash.

Justin Timberlake was named best R&B act and Christina Aguilera won best video for Dirrty.

UK act of the year was jointly awarded to Big Brovas and the Punjabi MC after a tie in the voting – the first time that has happened in Mobo history.

Big Brovas also picked up the best newcomer award while Lisa Maffia won best garage act and Radio 1’s Tim Westwood was named best UK radio DJ.

Kool & The Gang received an outstanding achievement award and George Benson picked up the award for lifetime achievement.

The glitzy ceremony was being co-hosted by rap star L’il Kim – winner of the fashion icon award – and singer Blu Cantrell.

50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, was due to make an appearance at the awards.

He almost did not make it past Heathrow airport as Customs officials held him for four hours when he flew in to the UK yesterday.

He was quizzed over alleged gang violence in the US but eventually was allowed into the country.

The gold-toothed star claims to have been shot nine times and says he was dealing drugs on the streets of New York from the age of 12.

According to him, he has spent nine years in jail – although a recent article in US hip hop magazine The Source claimed he served only seven months for minor drug offences.

50 Cent is also due to kick off the UK leg of his No Fear No Mercy tour at Wembley Arena tonight.

:: The Mobo awards will be broadcast on Channel 4 on Sunday September 28.

Full list of winners:

:: Best R&B – Justin Timberlake

:: Best Video – Christina Aguilera featuring Redman, Dirrty

:: Best Hip Hop – 50 Cent

:: UK Act of the Year – Punjabi MC/Big Brovas

:: Best Album – Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, 50 Cent

:: Best Single – In Da Club, 50 Cent

:: Best Newcomer – Big Brovaz

:: Best Producer – Neptunes

:: Best Garage Act – Lisa Maffia

:: Best Reggae Act – Wayne Wonder

:: Best UK Radio DJ – Tim Westwood (Radio 1)

:: Best UK Club DJ – Shortee Blitz (Kiss FM)

:: Best Jazz Act – Soweto Kinch

:: Best World Music Act – Ibrahim Ferrer

:: Best Gospel Newcomer – Hutcheson Gayle

:: Mobo Unsung Award – J’Nay

:: Mobo Outstanding Achievement Award – Kool & The Gang

:: Mobo Lifetime Achievement Award – George Benson

:: Fashion Icon Award – L’il Kim