Billboard’s big winners

Not content with your typical onstage performance, Britney Spears kicked off the 2001 Billboard Music Awards by performing her single

“I’m a Slave 4 U” from a stage inside the fountains of Las Vegas’ Bellagio Hotel.

That set the tone for Tuesday night; the big winners were showered with awards at this year’s BMAs.

R&B singer R. Kelly was the biggest winner, whose album TP-2.com, including the remix of the hit song “Fiesta” with Jay-Z, has topped the charts this year. He took home six awards in the R&B/hip-hop category, including artist of the year, album of the year, singles artist of the year and songwriter of the year.

“It’s just a constant reminder of how hard work paid off,” Kelly told the audience.

Destiny’s Child, however, won the night’s top honors, as the group was named artist of the year, Hot 100 singles artist of the year and artist of the year duo/group. The fab three took in a total of five awards.

Tim McGraw equaled that tally, as he swept the country music category, including country album of the year for his Greatest Hits album.

“I think that I’m a fan of music in general and always have been since I was a kid,” McGraw said. “I just try to make the music I hear in my head and hope everybody likes it.”

Janet Jackson was also honored, receiving the artist achievement award, and John Mellencamp received this year’s Century Award.

Other winners included Alicia Keys, Creed, ‘N Sync and Lifehouse.

Hosted by comedian Bernie Mac, the evening was kept at a fast pace, with jammin’ performances by Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, ‘N Sync and Shaggy.

Mac told the winners, “You got 30 seconds. That’s it. Thank the fans, thank the record company, thank the Lord, then sit…down.”

The Billboard Awards are determined by the magazine’s year-end chart listings, based on a combination of record sales and radio airplay.