Black Eyed Peas win 3 times as tops with fans

The Black Eyed Peas were triple winners Tuesday at the 2006 American Music Awards.

The hip-hop quartet was named favorite group twice, in the rap/hip hop and soul/rhythm & blues categories. It also won favorite rap/hip-hop album for “Monkey Business.”

Talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel kicked off the three-hour ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles -- televised live on ABC -- with a skit that placed a ringer for singer and surprise presenter Kevin Federline, Britney Spears’ ex, into a crate dumped into the ocean. Kimmel cracked that Federline was the world’s first “no-hit wonder.”

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. Clarkson captured trophies for pop/rock female and adult contemporary artist. Rascal Flatts won for 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.

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.

Some awards were announced off-camera before the broadcast presentations.

The American Music Awards honor the best in pop/rock, country, soul/rhythm & blues, rap/hip hop, Latin, alternative, adult contemporary and contemporary inspirational music. Nominees were chosen based on record sales, and winners were selected by a survey of about 20,000 listeners.