Beyonce sparkles at Billboard awards

R&B and hip-hop dominated the 2003 Billboard Music Awards with sultry singer Beyonce and R. Kelly each earning four awards.

Beyonce, who appeared at the ceremony in a sequinned Versace dress, won new female artist of the year, new R&B artist, Hot 100 female artist and a special Hot 100 award for most weeks at number one.

The singer, who is part of Destiny’s Child and went solo this year with her album Dangerously in Love, said after winning the Hot 100 female artist award: “This is amazing. This has been an incredible year.”

R. Kelly, who was indicted on child pornography charges last year after a videotape allegedly showed him having sex with an underage girl, took home awards for Hot 100 producer, R&B producer, Hot 100 songwriter and R&B songwriter.

No Doubt opened the nationally televised show with a performance of It’s My Life, their hit remake of the 1980s song by Talk Talk. The show was hosted by Ryan Seacrest, who hosts the American Idol.

Rapper 50 Cent had six nominations heading into the show at the MGM Grand hotel-casino in Las Vegas. By the end of the night, he won three awards – for top artist, R&B artist and rap artist.

British star Sting received the Century Award for creative achievement. The Grammy Award-winning singer has sold a combined 100 million albums and singles with The Police and as a solo artist.

For the first time, the Billboard Awards recognised the sales of legally downloaded music tracks, honouring Hey Ya! By OutKast as the digital track of the year.

The Billboard Awards honour the year’s chart-topping artists. Winners are determined by the magazine’s year-end chart listings, which are based on record sales and airplay.

The 2003 Billboard Music Awards winners:

Artist: 50 Cent.

Duo/group: 3 Doors Down.

New female artist: Beyonce.

New male R&B artist: Chingy.

New group: Evanescence.

R&B artist: 50 Cent.

R&B/hip-hop group: Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz.

R&B new artist: Beyonce.

R&B producer: R. Kelly.

R&B songwriter: R. Kelly.

Rap artist: 50 Cent.

Rock artist: Audioslave.

Rock track: Headstrong by Trapt.

Modern rock artist: Audioslave.

Modern rock track: Headstrong by Trapt.

Independent album artists: Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz.

Independent albums: Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz.

Soundtrack single: Bring Me To Life by Evanescence.

Mainstream Top 40 track: Where is the Love? By Black Eyed Peas.

No. 1 Rhythmic Top 40 track: Right Thurr by Chingy.

Country artist: Shania Twain.

Country albums: Shania Twain.

Country album: Shania Twain.

Best-selling single: This Is the Night/Bridge Over Troubled Water by Clay Aiken.

Hot 100 female artist: Beyonce.

Hot 100 group artist: 3 Doors Down.

Hot 100 producer: R. Kelly.

Hot 100 for most weeks at No. 1: Beyonce.

Hot 100 songwriter: R. Kelly.

Digital track: Hey Ya! By OutKast.

Century Award for creative achievement: Sting.