Boys top Billboards

Backstreet Boys win 5 awards, Britney Spears gets 4

Teen pop idols Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears stopped Canada's country music queen Shania Twain in her quest for album and female artist of the year at last night's 1999 Billboard Music Awards held in Las Vegas.

 Twain's latest release, Come On Over, was defeated by the Backstreet Boys' chart juggernaut Millennium in the top race for album of the year.

 The Boys' brief appearance to accept their first of five Billboard trophies -- including artist of the year -- was notable if only for Nick Carter's high, teased hair, which he attributed to his intense plane trip to the ceremonies, televised live on CITY and FOX.

 "I was on a plane today and I almost didn't make it for this award but I'm here -- that's why my hair's all messed up," Carter said.

 Meanwhile, Twain was defeated in the female vocalist of the year category by 18-year-old quadruple winner Britney Spears, who also performed during last night's mostly ho-hum two-hour show.

 Other multiple winners included Dixie Chicks, who won three trophies, including country artist of the year, and Latin pop star Ricky Martin, who picked up two awards, including Billboard's male artist of the year.

 Predictable

 Despite performances by Spears, Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Red Hot Chili Peppers, LeAnn Rimes, Juvenile and Quebec singer Celine Dion, the evening was predictable and slow -- running 10 minutes over. One good bit featured co-host Kathy Griffin sitting on the collective laps of the Backstreet Boys in the audience.

 "I'm actually going to catch a little shut-eye," said Griffin. "Good night everyone. It's my Backstreet Boys bed."

 The only real standout performance came from none other than recently experimental metalheads Metallica, who made Las Vegas history performing Until It Sleeps with a 79-piece orchestra conducted by Michael Kamen further down the strip at the Rio Hotel.

 As for acceptance speeches, one of the most passionate came from an unlikely source.

 Billboard's artist of the decade, Mariah Carey, who made her way through the audience to the stage in a crocheted mini-dress and high heels, gave an honest account of her life thus far.

 "I'm so grateful to God to have overcome so many obstacles as a multi-racial person with a very dysfunctional history -- until recently," said Carey. "I am not Cinderella! My life has not been a fairy tale! Forget the image! Forget the ensembles! Forget the rumours! Forget the short skirts, big hair, whatever! I owe this to the fans and I will never forget you!"

 'Best poem'

 Other notable podium moments came via R. Kelly, R&B artist of the year, who accepted his trophy while on the cellular phone with his daughter, and rapper DMX, who passionately delivered a poem when picking up R&B albums artist of the year. (His performance prompted host Griffin to award DMX the Billboard trophy for "best posse and best poem.")

 Canadian Sarah McLachlan, who presented Emmylou Harris with her Billboard Century Award, won a trophy for best adult contemporary single, although last night's broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena didn't say for what song.

 Aerosmith also won the artist achievement award after being introduced by actor Ben Affleck as "the greatest thing to ever come out of Boston," while Jay-Z picked up rap artist of the year honours.