The group thanked fans for "pushing hip-hop forward"

The group won favourite group twice, in the rap/hip-hop and soul/rhythm & blues categories, and won favourite rap/hip-hop album for Monkey Business.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J Blige and Rascal Flatts took two awards each.

But Mariah Carey, who did not attend despite being nominated for three awards, missed out completely.

In a satellite link from Costa Rica, the Black Eyed Peas frontman, will.i.am, thanked fans and artists "for keeping hip-hop progressive and pushing it forward".

Britney surprise

The Red Hot Chili Peppers were favourite alternative artist and pop/rock band.

Clarkson captured trophies for pop/rock female and adult contemporary artist categories presented before the televised presentations began in the performance-filled show.

Rascal Flatts won favourite country group and the T-Mobile Text-In award, which is chosen by fans. Blige won favourite soul/rhythm & blues album for The Breakthrough.

She was also the favourite female R'n'B artist. She accepted the award from surprise presenter Britney Spears.

Oscar winner Jamie Foxx was named favourite 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."