The Black Eyed Peas [ tickets ] scored a hat trick at the 34th American Music Awards [ tickets ] Tuesday (11/21), taking home trophies for Favorite Soul/Rhythm and Blues Band, Duo or Group; Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Band, Duo or Group; and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album for "Monkey Business."

"Thank you for keeping hip-hop progressive and pushing it forward," singer Will.I.Am, who thanked fellow rapper Nas, said while accepting the award via a live video feed from Costa Rica.

Kelly Clarkson [ tickets ], The Red Hot Chili Peppers [ tickets ], Mary J. Blige [ tickets ] and Rascal Flatts also emerged as big winners at the ceremony, winning two prizes each.

Before the televised portion of the event, which aired on ABC-TV, "American Idol" winner Clarkson won Favorite Female Pop/Rock Artist and Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers also accepted remotely, from London, their prizes: Favorite Alternative Music Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group. Lead singer Anthony Kiedis, drummer Chad Smith and bassist Flea offered wide grins before Smith and Flea started beat boxing. Kiedis then thanked his "mammy" and his "pappy."

Rascal Flatts, who performed their cover of Tom Cochrane's 1992 hit "Life is a Highway," won Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group and the T-Mobile Text-In Award, voted by fans. The AMA nominees are based on sales.

"We've had an amazing year. We just want to thank all the fans for giving us jobs. We have the greatest job in the world," said lead singer Gary LeVox. .

The three-hour program kicked off with surprise presenter Britney Spears, wearing a cream-colored gown, awarding Mary J. Blige the Favorite Female Soul Rhythm and Blues prize. Blige, who said during her acceptance speech that music saved her life, ""also won Favorite Soul/Rhythm and Blues Album for "The Breakthrough."

Nominated for three awards, Canadian rock act Nickelback also took home its first AMA. Lead singer Chad Kroeger mouthed "Wow" as he walked to the podium to accept the Favorite Album prize for his band's latest album, "All the Right Reasons." He reiterated the sentiment while on stage.

"Wow. We just kind of showed up because we were supposed to give one of these away tonight. This is totally unexpected. We were sure the Chilis were just going to clean house tonight," Kroeger said.

Eminem, who was not present, was awarded Favorite Male Rap/Hip-Hop Artist. Shakira took home the Favorite Latin Artist prize. Oscar winner Jamie Foxx held his Favorite Soul/Rhythm & Blues Male Artist award in the air and said, "I'm a rookie in this music thing, man." Dancehall singer Sean Paul won Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist.

Kirk Franklin was given the Contemporary Inspirational Artist prize.

"I know a lot of people that say that they're Christians," Franklin said during his acceptance speech. "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. I want to make sure that when you see my life that it's a life that I'm going to be proud of"."

A complete list of this year's winners is included below.

The three-hour ceremony was heavy on performances. In a sleek, sequin gown, Beyonce began the show with "Irreplaceable," followed by Carrie Underwood, who performed a medley of her hits. The Pussycat Dolls danced among gold chains descending from the ceiling as well as poles during their song "Buttons." In between yodels, Gwen Stefani ably debuted her song "Wind It Up."

Other performers included Dixie Chicks, Nelly Furtado, Barry Manilow, Lionel Ritchie, Fall Out Boy, John Mayer, and Snoop Dogg with Akon.

Jimmy Kimmel hosted the show, taking aim at Britney Spears' estranged husband Kevin Federline, star couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, and rapper Snoop Dogg.

"Snoop has been arrested at three airports in seven months. Even for a rapper I think that's a record," Kimmel said.

2006 American Music Awards [ tickets ] winners:

Pop/Rock: Favorite Male Artist
Sean Paul

Pop/Rock: Favorite Female Artist
Kelly Clarkson

Pop/Rock: Favorite Band, Duo or Group
The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Pop/Rock: Favorite Album
"All the Right Reasons," Nickelback

Country: Favorite Male Artist
Toby Keith

Country: Favorite Female Artist
Faith Hill

Country: Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Rascal Flatts

Country: Favorite Album
"Greatest Hits Volume 2," Tim McGraw

Soul/Rhythm & Blues: Favorite Male Artist
Jamie Foxx

Soul/Rhythm & Blues: Favorite Female Artist
Mary J. Blige

Soul/Rhythm & Blues: Favorite Band, Duo or Group
The Black Eyed Peas [ tickets ]

Soul/Rhythm & Blues: Favorite Album
"The Breakthrough," Mary J. Blige

Rap/Hip-Hop: Favorite Male Artist
Eminem

Rap/Hip-Hop: Favorite Band, Duo or Group
The Black Eyed Peas

Rap/Hip-Hop: Favorite Album
"Monkey Business," The Black Eyed Peas

Adult Contemporary: Favorite Artist
Kelly Clarkson

Alternative Music: Favorite Artist
The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Latin Music: Favorite Artist
Shakira

Contemporary Inspirational: Favorite Artist
Kirk Franklin

Favorite New Breakthrough Artist (All Genres)
Carrie Underwood