Vocalist Mariah Carey was the big winner at the Vibe Awards ceremony, the celebration of urban culture that went off without a hitch on Saturday (November 12) at Sony Studios in Culver City, California. Carey dominated with four V trophies, for R&B Voice Of The Year and Artist Of The Year, while The Emancipation Of Mimi earned Album Of The Year and her single "We Belong Together" landed Best R&B Song. Carey was on hand to receive her awards, telling the audience, "Whatever you're going through in your life, don't ever give up."
The best rapper award went to Kanye West, who was a no-show, while best group went to the Diplomats, and "Hottest Hook" went to "Hate It Or Love It" by The Game featuring his former mentor-turned-nemesis 50 Cent. The "Next" Award was shared by gritty vocalist Keyshia Cole and rapper Young Jeezy.
Mary J. Blige, dubbed the Queen Of Hip-Hop Soul with her first album back in 1992, got another jewel in her crown when she was honored with a V Legend Award. Backstage, she seemed to have mixed feelings about receiving the honor while still young. "The honor was really, really, really special and I thanked Vibe for that tonight,” Blige said. “It's a little early. I thought people got legend awards when they were like 60 but they're already trying to push me out. So that's how they get down. But anyway, I'm really happy."
After last year's chair-throwing brawl in which Jimmy James Johnson punched honoree Dr. Dre and rapper Young Buck allegedly stabbed Johnson, this year's Vibe presentation was comparatively mellow. Security was tight, and the list of presenters and performers was heavy on UPN actors, vocalists, and Midwestern and Southern rappers.
The Vibe Awards featured performances by Ciara, Keyshia Cole, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Pharrell, Paul Wall, David Banner, and Lil Wayne. The show will be broadcast tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on UPN.
The complete list of 2006 Vibe Awards winners is as follows:
R&B Voice Of The Year: Mariah Carey
Best Rapper: Kanye West
Next Award: Keyshia Cole & Young Jeezy
Coolest Collabo: "Oh," Ciara featuring Ludacris
Street Anthem: "U Don't Know Me," T.I.
Power Broker of the Year: Kevin Liles
Club Banger: "1 Thing," Amerie
Reelest Video: "Trapped in the Closet" (Chapters 1-5), R. Kelly
Hottest Hook: "Hate it or Love It," The Game featuring 50 Cent
Video Goddess: Esther Baxter in "Number One Spot" by Ludacris
Boomshot Award: "Welcome To Jamrock," Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
Best R&B Song: "We Belong Together," Mariah Carey
Best Group: The Diplomats
VStyle: Baby Phat
Vibe Vixen: Kimora Lee Simmons
Album Of The Year: The Emancipation Of Mimi, Mariah Carey
Artist Of The Year: Mariah Carey
V Legend Award: Mary J. Blige |
