"Wow. Thank you very much. I gotta praise God. Thank you Jesus. It has been an amazing year for me and I'm just humbled by this year and what 'The Breakthrough' has done," Blige said, referencing her latest album.

Blige also won female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year, R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year, R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Artist of the Year, R&B/Hip-Hop Album Artist of the Year, R&B Hip-Hop Album of the Year for "The Breakthrough," R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year for "Without You," R&B/Hip-Hop Song Airplay of the Year for "Be Without You," and Videoclip of the Year for "Be Without You."

Country singer/"American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood [ tickets ] and rapper T.I. [ tickets ] each earned five awards.
Rockers Nickelback [ tickets ], R&B star Chris Brown [ tickets ], piano-laden pop band The Fray and pop singer Rihanna each won three Billboard awards.

Reiterating a sentiment he shared at the American Music Awards, Nickelback singer Chad Kroger said, "Wow, we've just having the most amazing year. We're really, really proud of this record."

Rihanna, known for her song "S.O.S.," said her win was "phenomenal."

"That was a very tough category. But thank you guys so much," the Barbados-bred singer said.

Country singer Kenny Chesney, Three Days Grace, the soundtrack to "High School Musical" and Nelly Furtado earned one award each.

"I've had a really great year," Furtado said. "I'd like to thank everyone. This year has been a blessing. This is my third album. I want to thank Timbaland. I love you. … Thank you for letting me be a musically promiscuous girl," she added, alluding to her hit "Promiscuous."

Janet Jackson kicked off the telecast with a pitchy version of her hit "The Pleasure Principal" that segued into "So Excited," a single from her 2006 album "20 Y.O."

Fergie, performing on a stage filled with giant candy canes, gave an oft-muted performance. While her dancers moved frenetically, Fergie basically stood still, save for a few waves to the audience.

Gwen Stefani convincingly yodeled her way through "Wind It Up." Meanwhile, The Fray served up a mediocre rendition of "How to Save a Life."

The Billboard Awards were wrought with pre-show controversy. Britney Spears, announced as a co-host with Paris Hilton, claimed she never confirmed. Hilton backed out of hosting duties because she said she felt the jokes that were written for her were offensive. So, instead of utilizing a single host, the ceremony's organizers had artists introduce each other.

Billboard Century Award
Tony Bennett

Artist Duo/Group of the Year
Nickelback

Artist of the Year
Chris Brown

New Artist of the Year
Chris Brown

Album of the Year
"Some Hearts," Carrie Underwood

Female Artist of the Year
Rihanna

Male Artist of the Year
Chris Brown

Female Billboard 200 Album Artist of the Year
Carrie Underwood

Hot 100 Artist Duo/Group of the Year
Nickelback

Hot 100 Airplay Song of the Year
"Be Without You," Mary J. Blige

Female Hot 100 Artist of the Year
Rihanna

Pop 100 Single of the Year
"Promiscuous," Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland

Pop 100 Artist of the Year
Rihanna

Rap Artist of the Year
T.I.

Rap Album of the Year
"King," T.I.

Rap Album Artist of the Year
T.I.

Rap Songs Artist of the Year
T.I.

Country Songs Artist of the Year
Kenny Chesney

Country Album of the Year
"Some Hearts," Carrie Underwood

New Country Artist of the Year
Carrie Underwood

Female Country Artist of the Year
Carrie Underwood

Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
Mary J. Blige

R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
Mary J. Blige

R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Artist of the Year
Mary J. Blige

R&B/Hip-Hop album artist of the Year
Mary J. Blige

R&B Hip-Hop Album of the Year
"The Breakthrough," Mary J. Blige

R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year
"Be Without You," Mary J. Blige

R&B/Hip-Hop Song Airplay of the Year
"Be Without You," Mary J. Blige

Rock Album of the Year
"All the Right Reasons," Nickelback

Rock Song of the Year
"Animal I Have Become," Three Days Grace

Soundtrack Album of the Year
"High School Musical"

Digital Album of the Year
"How to Save a Life," The Fray

Digital Album Artist of the Year
The Fray

Digital Songs Artist of the Year
The Fray

Videoclip of the Year
"Be Without You," Mary J. Blige

Videoclips Artist of the Year
T.I.