Guitars and a touch of politics struck a louder note than urban sounds at the MTV video music awards as Green Day celebrated 16 years in punk rock by winning seven prizes.
But the ceremony in Miami was overshadowed by gunfire after the shooting of a rap record company boss shortly before the gala event. Marion ”Suge” Knight required surgery to remove the bullet after being struck during a party at a nightclub in Miami on Sunday.
More than a decade after their album Dookie inspired a new wave of skater punk-pop, Green Day won the top honour, video of the year, for Boulevard of Broken Dreams. They also won rock video of the year, the viewers’ choice award, best group and several technical categories.
”It’s great to know that rock music still has a place at MTV,” said the lead singer, Billie Joe Armstrong. His group has sold seven million copies of its latest album, American Idiot, with a mix of commercially successful tunes and thinly veiled criticisms of the United States under President George Bush.
”Here’s to our soldiers, let’s bring them home safe,” the band said as they collected their final award.
But religion was a more popular theme than politics in artists’ acceptance speeches, with many of the winners, including Missy Elliott and Ludacris, thanking or acknowledging God. The host, Sean ”Diddy” Combs began the show by stating that ”there will be no obscenity nor vulgarity allowed tonight”, before launching into a bleeped out string of expletives.
Coldplay performed at the ceremony but the only British winner was Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s Gorillaz, picking up two awards — the breakthrough video prize and best special effects — for Feel Good Inc.
The Killers, who had enjoyed more success in Britain than in their home country, won best new artist in a video for Mr Brightside, which they performed on the show.
Kanye West was the only rap artist to win a general prize, picking up best male video for Jesus Walks. Missy Elliott won two prizes for best dance video and best hip-hop video for Lose Control, which also featured Ciara & Fat Man Scoop. Ludacris won best rap video for Number One Spot, while Alicia Keys won best R&B video for Karma.
Gwen Stefani picked up two awards and Kelly Clarkson of American Idol fame walked off with the best female video and the best pop video award for Since U Been Gone. – Guardian Unlimited Â