Black Eyed Peas top American Music Awards with 3 victories, winning best group in 2 categories

Wednesday, November 22nd 2006, 6:10 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ They ruled the American Music Awards with three wins, but don't look for the Black Eyed Peas to score another trifecta when Grammy nominations are announced next month.

The band's most recent record, 2005's ``Monkey Business,'' was named favorite rap/hip-hop album Tuesday, but it isn't eligible for consideration for the Grammy awards in February.

Still, the hybrid hip-hop quartet, which blends rap and vocals with jazzy backdrops and groovy bass lines, is clearly one of America's favorites, winning best group in both the rap/hip hop and soul/rhythm & blues categories.

Meanwhile, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige and Rascal Flatts may have become instant Grammy front-runners with double wins at the American Music Awards on Tuesday. Each has a new album that qualifies for consideration.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers were favorite alternative artist and pop/rock band. They accepted their award via satellite from London, with bass player Flea beat-boxing as lead singer Anthony Kiedis thanked ``the American people.'' Critics have called the band's latest album, ``Stadium Arcadium,'' its best in years.

Clarkson captured trophies for pop/rock female and adult contemporary artist. Rascal Flatts won favorite country group and the T-Mobile Text-In award, which is chosen by fans.

Blige won favorite soul/rhythm & blues album for ``The Breakthrough.'' She was also the favorite female R&B artist. She accepted the award from surprise presenter Britney Spears, who looked sleek in a knee-length cream-colored frock and long blond hair.

Oscar winner Jamie Foxx was named favorite male soul/rhythm & blues artist.

``I'm like a rookie in this music thing,'' he said. ``This means a lot more than you think, man.''

Foxx performed ``Wish U Were Here'' from his 2005 album, ``Unpredictable.''

Nickelback took home the trophy for pop/rock album for ``All the Right Reasons.''

Among country honors, favorite female artist went to Faith Hill, male artist went to Toby Keith and Tim McGraw's ``Greatest Hits Volume 2'' was favorite album. Country singer and ``American Idol'' winner Carrie Underwood was crowned new breakthrough artist.

Eminem took favorite male rap/hip-hop artist. The male pop/rock artist trophy went to dancehall singer Sean Paul. Shakira won favorite Latin artist, and Kirk Franklin captured the award for contemporary inspirational music.

``I know that a lot of people that say that they're Christians _ you know, we don't always represent, and we don't always live it and we do sometimes some very stupid things, and you know we're not doing a good job,'' said Franklin. ``I want to make sure that when you see my life that it's a life that I'm gonna be proud of.''

The ceremony, broadcast by ABC from the Shrine Auditorium, was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, who launched a skit that placed a lookalike for Spears' ex, Kevin Federline, into a wooden crate that gets dumped into the ocean. Kimmel cracked that Federline was the world's first ``no-hit wonder.''

Beyonce began the show, belting out her single ``Irreplaceable'' while vamping around the stage in a sparkly sequined minidress. The Pussycat Dolls also chose sequins for their performance, while Nelly Furtado opted for a skintight white dress and stick-straight hair.

Gwen Stefani made a stylish return to the music scene, performing the single ``Wind It Up'' from her forthcoming album, ``The Sweet Escape.'' The new mom, wearing a skimpy sequined shift and a shoulder-length platinum bob, yodeled and rapped convincingly throughout the tune.

Rapper Jay-Z stepped back into the spotlight, accompanied by scantily clad dancers as he performed the single ``Show Me What You Got'' from his new record, ``Kingdom Come.''

Lionel Richie made a festive return to the awards. Introduced by his diminutive daughter, Nicole Richie, the former Commodore performed a medley that included his '80s party anthem ``All Night Long.''

Barry Manilow performed a medley of favorites from his latest collection, ``The Greatest Songs of the Sixties.''

Some awards were announced off camera before the broadcast presentations.

The American Music Awards honor the best in pop/rock, country, soul/rhythm & blues, rap/hip hop, Latin, alternative, adult contemporary and contemporary inspirational music. Nominees were chosen based on record sales and winners were selected by a survey of about 20,000 listeners.