By Mike Winslow
Queens, New York rapper 50 Cent was named the world’s best selling Hip-Hop artist at the 19th Annual World Music Awards in Monaco on November 4.
The World Music Awards featured performances by a number of the world’s top recording acts, including Rihanna, Avril Lavigne, Mexican band Mana and others.
50 Cent’s latest album Curtis helped him win the World’s Best Selling Artist Award, which is determined by actual sales figures gathered from countries across the globe, as opposed to a voting process.
Akon took home three awards, including Best Selling R&B Male Artist, Best Selling African Artist and Best Selling Internet Artist.
"You are witness to seeing me receive any kind of award for music the first time in my life," Akon told the crowd.
Other big winners during the evening included Mika who took home four awards, including Best Selling Male Entertainer and World’s Best Selling Pop/Rock Male Artist and Avril Lavigne, who won Best Selling Pop/Rock Female Artist and Best Selling Canadian Artist.
Shaggy won World’s Best Selling R&B Male Artist and Entertainer of the Year, while Rihanna took home the World’s Best Selling Pop Female award.
Generations united as R&B legend Patti Labelle and Canadian singer Celine Dion were honored with the Legend Award. Newcomer Ciara introduced Patti Labelle the “the High Priestess of Good Vibrations,” while Prince Albert II introduced Dion and honored her for selling over 200 million records worldwide.
The 19th Annual World Music Awards was sponsored by 80-year-old English fashion brand Belstaff.
Proceeds from the event will benefit a World Music Award hospital being built in Darfur.