Usher collected 11 awards on the night in Las Vegas

It was also a good night for another R&B artist, Alicia Keys, who took seven gongs, while triple Grammy winners OutKast were named group of the year.

Soul legend Stevie Wonder received a lifetime achievement award.

The awards were held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, hosted by American Idol TV show presenter Ryan Seacrest.

Kanye West, who has been nominated for 10 Grammys was also a big winner, taking four awards - including rap artist of the year.

Steve Wonder picked up a lifetime achievement award

R&B group Destiny's Child, who recently reformed after a break to concentrate on solo projects, won the artist achievement award.

Green Day, Gwen Stefani and Nelly were among the performers at the show.

Main winner Usher opened the ceremony by dropping from the ceiling on a cord for a performance of his song Bad Girl.

The chart-topper is also in the running for eight awards at the Grammys, which will be presented in February.

Singer Ashlee Simpson, who scooped the best new female artist of the year prize, was both cheered and booed as she collected her award.

'Texas jig'

The performer, sister of Jessica Simpson, was revealed to have mimed on an edition of television show Saturday Night Live due to a technical error.

Simpson told the audience that nerves can be combatted with a "Texas jig", a reference to the impromptu dance she did during the programme.

The awards honour the year's leading artists and songs in the US, as determined by their performance on Billboard magazine's weekly charts in genres including rock, rap and country.

The charts in the US are based on a mixture of sales and radio airplay.

Further Billboard awards will be announced in the magazine on 17 December.

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Main Billboard Award Winners

Artist of the Year: Usher

Female Artist of the Year: Alicia Keys

Duo/Group of the Year: OutKast

Male New Artist of the Year: Kanye West

Female New Artist of the Year: Ashlee Simpson

Album of the Year: Usher - Confessions

Songwriter of the Year: Alicia Keys

Single of the Year: Usher - Yeah

Dance Sales Single of the Year: Britney Spears/Madonna - Me Against The Music

Top-Selling Single of the Year: Fantasia - I Believe

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

Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year: Alicia Keys

New R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year: Kanye West

Rap Artist of the Year: Kanye West

Mainstream Top 40 Artist of the Year: Usher

Century Award for Creative Achievement: Stevie Wonder