50 Cent takes glory at Mobos

50 Cent was two hours late for the ceremony

Rap star 50 Cent has swept the board at the Mobo awards, winning three prizes including best hip-hop act.

50 Cent - real name Curtis Jackson - also won best album for Get Rich Or Die Tryin' and best single for In Da Club.

But the star kept everyone waiting, arriving two hours late for the ceremony at London's Royal Albert Hall, meaning his Wembley concert the same evening was also badly delayed.

Justin Timberlake was named best R&B act, while the prize for best UK act was shared between Punjabi MC and Big Brovaz at the London ceremony.

Surprisingly, there were no awards for Beyonce Knowles, who had been tipped for success with four nominations.

Big Brovaz were honoured with two prizes

Big Brovaz were also named best newcomers, while best video went to Christina Aguilera featuring Redman for Dirrty.

The Mobo Awards are the UK's prestigious ceremony recognising the achievements of black artists and their influence on music.

The Neptunes team were named best producers, and So Solid Crew's Lisa Maffia won the best garage category.

Best reggae act went to Wayne Wonder, with BBC Radio 1's Tim Westwood taking the award for best UK radio DJ.

Shortee Blitz was named best UK club DJ. Mercury prize nominee Soweto Kinch was named best jazz act, and Buena Vista Social Club star Ibrahim Ferrer best world music act.

Hutcheson Gayle was voted best gospel newcomer, and the unsung award for unsigned talent went to J'Nay.

Beyonce missed out on an award, despite four nominations

1970s/80s funk and disco act Kool & The Gang, who helped to influence the birth of hip-hop, won the outstanding achievement prize. Smooth crooner George Benson was given the lifetime achievement award.

L'il Kim, who was co-hosting the show with Blu Cantrell, won the fashion icon category.

But the night belonged to 50 Cent, who arrived late to accept his awards and turned up on stage with a 10-strong posse - all with bandanas covering their faces.

He said: "I've won a lot of awards this year from a lot of different people. I'd like to thank God for blessing me with the talent."

Jackson, 27, hails from a troubled background in urban New York that has defined his authenticity as a street rapper.

His parents were killed when he was young and he has been shot, stabbed and involved in high-profile feuds with fellow artists.

He learned his art with the help of Jam Master Jay, the DJ with seminal rap group Run-DMC, who was shot dead in October last year. He later established his reputation with the patronage of Eminem.

The Mobo Awards Show will be televised on 28 September at 1330 on T4 on Channel 4.