Beyonce Knowles wins five Grammys

3.30pm

UPDATED - Destiny's Child singer Beyonce Knowles dominated the Grammy Awards today, winning prizes in five categories.

Beyonce's song "Crazy in Love," won two trophies — best R&B song and best rap/sung collaboration. Her boyfriend, Jay-Z, also won two awards for collaborating on the hit.

Beyonce also won best female R&B performance for "Dangerously in Love," best contemporary R&B album for "Dangerously in Love" and best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for "The Closer I Get To You," a remake she did with Luther Vandross.

Beyonce earlier joined Prince on stage for the ceremony opening performance of "Purple Rain" and then sang her own "Crazy in Love".

Her five trophies tied a record set by Alicia Keys, Norah Jones and Lauryn Hill for the most Grammys won by a female artist.

"This is unbelievable. Performing was enough for me," an excited Beyonce said.

Along with three other acts, Knowles led the Grammy contenders with nods in six categories.

OutKast's infectious hit single "Hey Ya!" won the Grammy for urban/alternative performance. During the televised portion, OutKast's double album, "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" was named best rap album.

In one of the shortest acceptance speeches in Grammy history, group member Andre "3000" Benjamin took the stage to say "Thank you," and then bounded off. His cohort, Antwan "Big Boi" Patton, was not present.

Other winners included 'N Sync star Timberlake, who beat such veterans as Sting, and the late rockers George Harrison and Warren Zevon to take the Grammy for male pop vocal performance.

Once again, he apologized for his part in the Janet Jackson breast-baring scandal at the Super Bowl last week, but generally seemed overwhelmed by his victory.

"This is officially the greatest moment of my life," Timberlake said. Earlier, his debut solo release "Justified" was named best pop vocal album.

No Doubt's ballad "Underneath It All" was honored for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal. Singer Gwen Stefani thanked her husband, English rock star Gavin Rossdale, for allowing her to co-write the song about him.

Foo Fighters won best rock album for One By One while The White Stripes won the award for Best Rock Peformance by a duo or group for Seven Nation Army, while Dave Matthews won for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for Gravedigger.

Stroke-afflicted soul icon Luther Vandross and bluegrass musician Alison Krauss each picked up three Grammys. Among the double-winners were rapper Jay Z, with six nominations each, and five-time nominee Eminem.

Vandross, who was stricken by a near-fatal stroke last year, also won Grammys for R&B album ("Dance with my Father") and male R&B vocal performance (also "Dance with My Father"). In his absence, singers Alicia Keys, Celine Dion and Richard Marx performed a tribute to him. Vandross, in his first public appearance, sent his greetings a taped video message, and sang the line, "I believe in the power of love."

The other acts with six nominations each were hip-hop duo OutKast and producer Pharrell Williams.

Grammy voters honored many dead and veteran artists. Among the former were Johnny Cash and his wife, June Carter Cash, George Harrison, Sam Cooke, Warren Zevon and Celia Cruz.

Elsewhere, "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin, country star Vince Gill, rock veteran Sting and jazz musician Pat Metheny each won the 16th Grammys of their careers.

Jazz veteran Chick Corea won his 12th Grammy and thanked the Scientology organization. Blues guitarist Buddy Guy won his fifth Grammy.

The Grammy for Johnny Cash, in the short-form video category, marked the 12th of his career.

- REUTERS

List of winners