Mary J. Blige dominates Billboard Music Awards

LOS ANGELES, Dec 5 (Reuters) R&B singer Mary J Blige was the top winner at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, taking home nine prizes, while ''American Idol'' champion Carrie Underwood was honored for album of the year.

Underwood snagged five awards, as did rapper TI Four acts won three awards each: R&B singers Chris Brown and Rihanna, and rock bands Nickelback and the Fray.

The awards, which took place yesterday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, honor the top acts on the Billboard charts, as determined by radio airplay and retail sales.

Blige's haul included R&B/Hip-Hop artist and female R&B/Hip-Hop artist. Her chart-topping album ''The Breakthrough'' earned her the awards for R&B album and R&B/Hip-Hop album. Her single ''Be Without You'' delivered the awards for Hot 100 airplay song, R&B/Hip-Hop Song, R&B/Hip-Hop song airplay, and videoclip. Blige also was named R&B/Hip-Hop songs artist.

In addition to winning the album and country album prizes for ''Some Hearts,'' Underwood was named female Billboard 200 album artist, female country artist and new country artist.

Rapper TI was named rap artist, rap album artist, rap songs artist and videoclips artist. His album ''King'' took the rap album prize.

REUTERS SHB BD0955