2011 Billboard Music Awards (Complete List of Winners)

After a five year hiatus from television the Billboard Music Awards were live from Las Vegas with a vengeance. Rihanna opened the show with a sizzling number where midway Britney Spears dropped by for a duet. Ken Jeong, the breakaway star from the "The Hangover", was a worthy host for the festivities. His over-the-top comedy was a contrast to some of the very talented musicians he was up against. Jeong and the show's background dancers did a nice salute to the old school Vegas complete with all of them looking like Dean Martin and his Golddiggers.

The three-hour presentation was packed with not only handing out a few of the many Billboard Music Awards, but performances by the hottest musical acts in pop, rock, rap and country. The artists who won the most awards during the telecast were Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Justin Bieber. Little girl's hearts were breaking all over the world when Justin gave his sweetheart, Selena Gomez, a kiss on the lips when he won an award for Top New Artist.

Special awards were presented to Beyonce with an excellent video montage saluting her greatness in the music industry by Lady Gaga, Michelle Obama, Barbra Streisand, Bono and Stevie Wonder. Beyonce later received the Millennium Award. U2 was on hand to receive the Touring Award for their monumental 360 Tour. Neil Diamond received the Icon Award and closed out the awards show with a rousing sing-a-long to "Sweet Carlonie" and the show-stopping tune "America" from the film "The Jazz Singer."

Complete List of Billboard Music Winners:

Top Artist: Eminem
Top New Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Male Artist: Eminem
Top Female Artist: Rihanna
Top Duo/Group: The Black Eyed Peas
Top Billboard 200 Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Artist: Katy Perry
Top Digital Songs Artist: Katy Perry
Top Radio Songs Artist: Rihanna
Top Touring Artist: U2
Top Social Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Streaming Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Digital Media Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Pop Artist: Lady Gaga
Top R&B Artist: Usher
Top Rap Artist: Eminem
Top Country Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Rock Artist: Train
Top Alternative Artist: Mumford & Sons
Top Latin Artist: Shakira
Top Dance/Electronic Artist: Lady Gaga
Millennium Award: Beyonc©
Touring Award: U2
Icon Award: Neil Diamond
Top Billboard 200 Album: Eminem, Recovery
Top Pop Album: Justin Bieber, My World 2.0,, Katy Perry, Teenage Dream
Top R&B Album: Usher, Raymond v. Raymond
Top Rap Album: Eminem, Recovery Top Country Album: Taylor Swift, Speak Now
Top Rock Album: Mumford & Sons, Sigh No More
Top Alternative Album: Mumford & Sons, Sigh No More
Top Latin Album: Enrique Iglesias, Euphoria
Top Dance/Electronic Album: Lady Gaga, The Fame
Top Christian Album: Skillet, Awake
Top Hot 100 Song: Taio Cruz, "Dynamite"
Top Digital Song: Taio Cruz, "Dynamite"
Top Radio Song: Bruno Mars, "Just the Way You Are"
Top Streaming Song (Audio): Nelly, "Just a Dream"
Top Streaming Song (Video): Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris, "Baby"
Top Pop Song: Taio Cruz, "Dynamite"
Top R&B Song: Usher featuring will.i.am, "OMG"
Top Rap Song: Eminem featuring Rihanna, "Love the Way You Lie"
Top Country Song: Lady Antebellum, "Need You Now"
Top Rock Song: Train, "Hey, Soul Sister"
Top Alternative Song: Neon Trees, "Animal"
Top Latin Song: Shakira featuring Freshlyground, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)"

SOURCES:

Marisa Laudadio and Stephen M. Silverman, "Britney Spears to Sex Up Billboard Music Awards", People.com

Jason Lipshutz , "Britney, Beyonce, Bieber Among 2011 Billboard Music Awards Highlights", Billboard.com

Gil Kaufman, "Justin Bieber, Eminem Dominate Billboard Music Awards", MTV.com