Outkast and Kanye West both received huge accolades at the Annual Billboard Awards even though Usher was the biggest winner for the evening at the show in Las Vegas.
Usher walked away with 11 honors for the evening at the event in the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
OutKast’s Big Boi, who was flanked by Killer Mike, accepted the group’s five awards without group member Andre 3000. Kanye, who recently accepted 10 Grammy nods, won four awards for the evening.
The Billboard Awards are primarily based on national charts and sales so, Usher was the shoo-in for the other honors as he has sold over 7 million units domestically.
The Atlanta singer won for artist of the year, album of the year, single of the year for "Yeah!," which he shared with Crunk King Lil’ Jon and rapper Ludacris. Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz also won honors in the indie song and album category for their TVT double set, Kings of Crunk.
Alicia Keys also won multiple awards and performed for a fanatical crowd.
50 Cent’s "In Da Club" won the newly appointed ringtone of the year, but the rapper wasn’t present for the honor.
Stevie Wonder was bestowed with the Century Award, a lifetime achievement honor, and was serenaded by Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige and former Motown mate Diana Ross.
Nelly was the only Hip-Hop act to perform, but the airing boasted performances by Usher, Alicia Keys, Nelly, Green Day, No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani and others.
Below is a partial listing for the Billboard Awards 2004:
Artist of the Year: Usher.
Female Artist of the Year: Alicia Keys.
Duo/Group Artist of the Year: OutKast.
Male New Artist of the Year: Kanye West.
Billboard 200 Album of the Year: Usher, Confessions.
Billboard 200 Artist of the Year: Usher.
Billboard 200 Duo/Group Artist of the Year: OutKast.
Hot 100 Artist of the Year: Usher.
Hot 100 Songwriter of the Year: Alicia Keys.
Hot 100 Duo/Group of the Year: OutKast.
Hot 100 Single of the Year: Usher featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris, Yeah!
Hot 100 Airplay Single of the Year: Usher featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris, Yeah!
Hot 100 Producer of the Year: Lil Jon.
Female Hot 100 Artist of the Year: Alicia Keys.
Top-Selling Single of the Year: Fantasia, I Believe.
Top-Selling R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year: Fantasia, I Believe.
R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year: Usher.
R&B/Hip-Hop Duo/Group of the Year: OutKast.
R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year: Usher, Confessions.
R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year: Alicia Keys, If I Ain’t Got You.
R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year: Kanye West.
R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Artist of the Year: Usher.
R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Single of the Year: Alicia Keys, If I Ain’t Got You.
Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year: Alicia Keys.
New R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year: Kanye West.
R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Artist of the Year: Alicia Keys.
Rap Artist of the Year: Kanye West.
Digital Track of the Year: OutKast, Hey Ya!
Ringtone of the Year: 50 Cent, In Da Club.
Independent Album Artist of the Year: Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz.
Independent Album of the Year: Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, Kings of Crunk.
Artist Achievement Award: Destiny’s Child.
Century Award for Creative Achievement: Stevie Wonder.
