Black Eyed Peas nab three awards at AMAs

Will.i.am, Fergie, and Apl.de ap of The Black Eyed Peas perform during their 'Monkey Business' concert in San Jose, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006.

The Black Eyed Peas were triple winners at the 2006 American Music Awards on Tuesday. The hip-hop quartet was named favorite group twice, in the rap/hip hop and soul/rhythm & blues categories. They also won favorite rap/hip-hop album for "Monkey Business."

Expressing gratitude via satellite from Costa Rica, the band's frontman, will.i.am, thanked fans and artists "for keeping hip-hop progressive and pushing it forward."

Awards came in pairs for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige and Rascal Flatts.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers were favorite alternative artist and pop/rock band. They accepted their award via satellite from London, with bass player Flea beat-boxing as lead singer Anthony Kiedis thanked "the American people."

Clarkson captured trophies for pop/rock female and adult contemporary artist, categories presented before the televised presentations began in the performance-filled show. Rascal Flatts won favorite country group and the T-Mobile Text-In award, which is chosen by fans.

Blige won favorite soul/rhythm & blues album for "The Breakthrough." She was also the favorite female R&B artist. She accepted the award from surprise presenter Britney Spears, who looked sleek in a knee-length cream-colored frock and long blond hair.

Oscar winner Jamie Foxx was named favorite male soul/rhythm & blues artist.

"I'm like a rookie in this music thing," he said. "This means a lot more than you think, man."

Foxx wore a white tuxedo and sat behind a grand piano to perform "Wish U Were Here" from his 2005 album, "Unpredictable."

Nickelback took home the trophy for pop/rock album. Dancehall singer Sean Paul was named favorite male pop/rock artist.

Among country honors, favorite female artist went to Faith Hill, male artist went to Toby Keith and Tim McGraw's "Greatest Hits Volume 2" was favorite album. Country singer and "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood was named favorite breakthrough artist.

Eminem was favorite male rap/hip-hop artist. Shakira won favorite Latin artist, and Kirk Franklin captured the award for contemporary inspirational music.