Universal Triumphs At Mtv Europe Awards

Universal Music Group (UMG) acts stole the show at this year's MTV Europe Music Awards, winning in no fewer than six of the 15 key categories during the Nov. 8 ceremony.

No-shows by such booked acts as Janet Jackson and Destiny's Child—and their entourages—perhaps accounted for the swaths of empty seats in Frankfurt's Festhalle, but despite that and some technical hitches with sound during performances, the event passed without incident. Hosted by British cult comedian Ali G, the show was not entirely lacking in American presence, as Fred Durst, R.E.M., Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, and Blink 182 were all on hand to perform. Durst's Limp Bizkit gained top honors with awards for best group, best album, and the Web award. Other UMG winners were Blink 182 (best rock act), Eminem (best hip-hop act), and Safri Duo (best Nordic act).

Parlophone act Gorillaz carried the flag for EMI, winning best dance act and best song, while Robbie Williams (EMI/Chrysalis) also added to the U.K. company's tally with his win in the best male artist category.

Sony picked up two awards—for Anastacia (best pop act) and Jennifer Lopez (best female artist)—while BMG collected one award through Arista-signed Dido (best new act).

Europe's independent labels were also represented on the winners' podium. Craig David notched the best R&B accolade, delighting his British label Wildstar, and Australian act the Avalanches (XL/Modular) collected the best video award.

This year's Free Your Mind award was presented to South African anti-drug organization Treatment Action Campaign. The majority of the award categories are decided by public voting; the recipients of the best video and Free Your Mind awards are picked by a jury of MTV Europe staffers.