Las Vegas – Chris Brown, a 17-year-old lothario who calls his music “hip-hop with a swagger,” claimed new artist of the year, male of artist of the year and artist of the year at the Billboard Music Awards.
Newcomers Rihanna and Carrie Underwood also walked away with high honors at the two-hour show.
But a seasoned artist took home the most honors. R&B diva Mary J. Blige’s comeback album, “The Breakthrough,” delivered nine awards to the 35-year-old singer, including R&B/hip-hop artist of the year, female R&B artist of the year and R&B/hip-hop album of the year.
“I’ve realized if I don’t (love) myself, nobody will. Nobody is going to love me more than I do,” Blige told reporters after the show.
The telecast did not feature Tinseltown’s duo du jour – heiress Paris Hilton and mom-gone-wild Britney Spears. It had been reported that the new best friends would be co-hosting the show. But neither appeared, and a lineup of presenters filled in.
Crooner Tony Bennett was honored with the Billboard Century Award, a lifetime achievement award. Bennett timed his release of “Duets: An American Classic” to his 80th birthday. The September release has become the best-selling album of his 50-plus-year recording career.
The 2006 Billboard Music Awards winners, announced Monday in Las Vegas:
Artist: Chris Brown Male Artist: Chris Brown
Female Artist: Rihanna
Artist-Duo/Group: Nickelback
New Artist: Chris Brown
Female Billboard 200 Album Artist: Carrie Underwood
Hot 100 Artists-Duo/Group: Nickelback
Hot 100 Song: Mary J. Blige, “Be Without You”
Female Hot 100 Artist: Rihanna
Pop 100 Artist: Rihanna
R&B/Hip-Hop Artist: Mary J. Blige
R&B/Hip-Hop Album: Mary J. Blige, “The Breakthrough”
R&B/Hip-Hop Song: Mary J. Blige, “Be Without You”
R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Artist: Mary J. Blige
R&B Album Artist: Mary J. Blige
R&B/Hip-Hop Song Airplay: Mary J. Blige, “Be Without You”
Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist: Mary J. Blige
Videoclip: Mary J. Blige, “Be Without You” Rap Artist: T.I.
Rap Album: T.I., “King” Rap Album Artist: T.I.
Rap Songs Artist: T.I.
Videoclips Artist: T.I.
Album: Carrie Underwood, “Some Hearts”
Country Album: Carrie Underwood, “Some Hearts”
Female Country Artist: Carrie Underwood
Male Country Artist: Kenny Chesney
New Country Artist: Carrie Underwood
Country Songs Artist: Kenny Chesney
Rock Single: Three Days Grace, “Animal I Have Become”
Rock Album: Nickelback, “All the Right Reasons”
Pop Single: Nelly Furtado, “Promiscuous” (featuring Timbaland)
Digital Album: The Fray, “How to Save a Life”
Digital Songs Artist: The Fray
Digital Album Artist: The Fray Soundtrack Album: “High School Musical”
