Controversial rapper Eminem booed at MTV awards

CONTROVERSIAL rapper Eminem won four awards at the MTV Video Music Awards, but it didn’t do anything for his mood.

He still found time to feud with his nemesis Moby, then ended up getting booed by the crowd.

It was just part of the annual celebrity circus that is the Video Music Awards, which featured a typically bizarre appearance from Michael Jackson, a standing ovation for former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and a Guns ’n Roses performance featuring Axl Rose - but without the other original members such as guitarist Slash.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kicked off the show with a rousing yet poignant performance that celebrated the spirit of the city.

Springsteen sang the title cut to his new disc, The Rising, which touches on the emotions and the aftermath of September 11.

That reverent spirit didn’t last for long. At Radio City Music Hall, host Jimmy Fallon lampooned nominees including Eminem, Nelly and teen rocker Avril Lavigne by spoofing their videos.

In one of the evening’s first surprises, the godfather of soul James Brown sashayed on stage at the end of Fallon’s skit.

Eminem provided the evening’s biggest shocker. He was booed after winning the award for best male video for Without Me.

He also won video of the year, rap video and direction for the clip, a comic-book style satire.

The tension started when one of his frequent targets, Christina Aguilera, presented the award. Aguilera looked like she wanted to drop it on the floor rather than put it in his hand.

Besides Eminem’s prizes, Pink, No Doubt and The White Stripes each won two. There was also the fashion show that the awards bring. Spears arrived in a black leather outfit with a cap that made her look like an auxiliary member of the Village People.

Pink looked punk with a short black hair style, tattooed arms and a black and green striped dress. A streaky-haired Aguilera donned a halter that barely seemed to cover her.