Ashanti sweeps Billboard Awards

Nelly and Aerosmith performed a tribute to Run-DMC

R&B newcomer Ashanti added yet more trophies to her cabinet as she scooped eight honours at the Billboard Music Awards.

And rap star Nelly walked away from the Las Vegas awards show with six titles, including top artist of 2002.

Rapper and actor Eminem continued an impressive year by winning album of the year for The Eminem Show.

And there was a special lifetime achievement award for the flamboyant Cher.

A special tribute was paid to the Run-DMC rapper Jam Master Jay, who was shot dead in October, as Nelly performed with Aerosmith.

Ashanti has had a successful year

The rock group, led by Steven Tyler, scored a massive hit with their signature song Walk This Way when it was remade with Run-DMC in the 80s.

Among the accolades for 22-year-old Ashanti were top female artist, R&B/hip-hop artist and best single for Foolish.

Earlier in the year she won entertainer of the year at the Lady of Soul Awards and she leads the nominations for American Music Awards with five.

Hot 100

Nelly's Hot in Herre won recognition, while he also picked up the top male artist award.

Puddle of Mudd became the first group to win all four rock awards since U2 in 1992, scooping best rock artist best rock single for Blurry and top modern rock act.

Nickelback also won a quartet of gongs including the Hot 100 Single of the Year for How You Remind Me.

The show, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, featured performances from Avril Lavigne, Faith Hill and Justin Timberlake.

The multitude of awards given out on the night are to recognise the best of the year's music.

The winners are determined by Billboard magazine's end of year chart listings, based on record sales and airplay.