Thongs and glitz at Billboard Music Awards

Wednesday, December 6th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LAS VEGAS (AP) _ It was a teen-ager's dream: 'N Sync, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin and 98 Degrees _ all together in the one place known for bringing out the adolescent in everyone.

Dance and pop ruled at the Billboard Music Awards on Tuesday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, where 'N Sync, the Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill and Destiny's Child won four statuettes apiece.

With six awards, the biggest winner was an artist who sang about women's underwear.

``I wasn't expecting to win that many,'' said Sisqo, whose hit ``The Thong Song'' helped him to the title of male artist of the year, new artist of the year and four other honors.

The annual Billboard Awards, broadcast this year on Fox, are determined by the magazine's year-end chart listings, which are based on a combination of record sales and radio airplay.

'N Sync, co-host of the show with actress Kathy Griffin, won album of the year for ``No Strings Attached.'' The group also collected three other awards, including one for biggest week of sales for ``No Strings Attached.''

The Dixie Chicks' awards included country group of the year and country album of the year for ``Fly.'' Destiny's Child won artist of the year and group of the year, among other awards.

Faith Hill picked up awards for hot 100 single of the year for ``Breathe'' and female country artist of the year, among others. ``I love singing 'Breathe.' I've never gotten tired of singing that song,'' she said backstage.

Hundreds of teens lined up hours before the show to get a glimpse of their idols walking down the red carpet.

``Britney, your boyfriend drives me crazy!'' a group of screaming girls yelled in reference to Spears' beau, Justin Timberlake of 'N Sync.

``This year has been, like, a dream come true for me,'' Spears said after collecting her award for album artist of the year.

The group 3 Doors Down performed its hit ``Kryptonite'' while the audience waved glowing green wands and a ``superhero'' dressed in green flew overhead. The band won three awards, including best new group.

A reminder that pop isn't always teen-orientated occurred when former Eagles songwriter Don Henley presented Randy Newman with Billboard's annual Century Award.

The show began when dogs came running down the aisles of the arena as Baha Men, who took home two awards, performed its mega-hit ``Who Let the Dogs Out.''

``When I heard it on SportsCenter, I knew that it was gone,'' group member Moe Grant said about the song.