MTV triumph for Eminem

Eminem shows off one of his prizes

Controversial rapper Eminem defied his critics to take the top honours at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York.

The performer, who has been dogged by controversy and personal problems, won two awards - best video and best male video - for his track The Real Slim Shady at the show in New York.

As seen on TV: Eminem performed with a crowd of lookalikes

He also had a share in a third prize for his part in the night's best rap video, Dr Dre's Forgot About Dre.

Eminem's lyrics have been lambasted by critics as being sexist and homophobic, and he had to face a demonstration by gay campaigners outside the Radio City Music Hall.

But the 27-year-old thrilled fans by performing The Real Slim Shady with an army of lookalikes, and on stage he poked fun at his critics.

"I want to thank the fans, first and foremost," he said.

Every time a relative sues me, every time a critic tries to slam me in the press, I sell more records

Eminem

"But really, every time a relative sues me, every time a critic tries to slam me in the press, I sell more records. I really want to thank you people for making my record as big as it was."

Known for his dislike of teen pop stars - especially Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera - he added: "This is the one night where you can fit all those people I don't like into one room."

Later, actor Jim Carrey, who introduced Eminem's performance, said: "I enjoy his music, but it scares me. His lyrics are totally socially irresponsible.

Aaliyah: Two prizes for the R 'n' B star

"But I think if we just spend more time with our kids, we'll be OK."

Clean-cut boy band 'N Sync also claimed three prizes in an awards show which saw no act dominate. They took best pop video, a choreography award and a viewers' choice prize for Bye Bye Bye.

R 'n' B star Aaliyah took two awards for Try Again - best female video and best video from a film.

Teen queens Spears and Aguilera left the Radio City Music Hall empty-handed, but seemingly put an end to their publicised feuding when they stood side by side on stage to introduce Whitney Houston.

Spears - who is linked with 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake - later hogged the spotlight with her performance, which saw her rip off a tuxedo to reveal flesh-coloured hipsters and a bikini top.

Spears' strip: The teenage singer ripped off a tuxedo on stage

The show, hosted by Scary Movie stars Marlon and Shawn Wayans, also saw its share of bad behaviour, with the two cracking lewd jokes in an opening monologue which also featured a mooning.

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, the evening's first award presenter, also fell foul of TV censors for cracking a joke about an MTV presenter.

And there was on-stage drama as a member of rock-rap act Rage Against The Machine protested against rival act Limp Bizkit winning best rock video for Break Stuff.

Bass player Timmy Commerford climbed aboard a stage prop and shouted abuse at the band. He was later arrested for assault and refusing arrest. A bodyguard was also arrested for obstructing justice.

Getting shirty: Napster founder Shawn Fanning

RATM are known for their political lyrics, while Limp Bizkit have been criticised for attracting "macho idiots" to their shows, which have ended in violence in the past.

Napster founder Shawn Fanning appeared on stage in a Metallica t-shirt to protest against the band's legal fight over the internet song-swapping service.

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, who was in the audience, pretended to be asleep.

Tim Commerford: Raging from on top of the stage

Four-piece Destiny's Child won best R 'n' B video for Say My Name, while Jennifer Lopez, who arrived with boyfriend Puff Daddy, was surprised to win best dance video accolade with Waiting For Tonight.

"I didn't expect to win, I was waiting for the upset," she said.

Macy Gray - who hit success in the UK before being discovered in her home country - picked up the best new artist prize for I Try, as well as a cinematography award for Do Something.

Dressed in lava lamp trousers and a red afro, she told the audience: "I hate making videos."

The European version of the awards will be held in Stockholm in November.