R&B women ruled the roost at last night's American Music Awards as young neo-soul sensation Alicia Keys, sexy female trio Destiny's Child and the late Aaliyah picked up double honors.

 Country artist Tim McGraw also tooked home two awards.

 Keys' first award of the night -- televised live on ABC from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles -- was for best new artist, beating out Toronto-based singer Nelly Furtado.

 "What's going on?" said a shocked-looking Keys, decked out in a old-fashioned red hat decorated with a black bird and a black fishnet veil. "Oh, my goodness. This has been a fantastic year. This has been an unbelievable year."

 Keys, who plays Massey Hall on Jan. 28, also won for favourite soul/R&B artist.

 Meanwhile, Destiny's Child won favourite soul/R&B band/duo or group and favourite pop/rock album for Survivor. The latter award surprised them.

 "NSYNC, we love (your) album. We love Dave Matthews Band. We share this award with you guys tonight," they said of their fellow nominees.

 Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash in the Bahamas last August, was named favourite soul/R&B female artist and her self-titled release won favourite soul/R&B album.

 Janet Jackson was named favourite pop/rock female artist while Lenny Kravitz took home favourite pop/rock male artist honors from KISS frontmen Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.

 "This is pretty amazing, when I was 12 years old, these guys turned me on to some serious rock and roll," said Kravitz. "I wouldn't even be standing here today if I hadn't heard some KISS records -- so this is really beautiful."

 Furtado, who was just recently nominated for four Grammy Awards, appeared as a presenter alongside rapper Nelly.

 "I think she's the sexiest Nelly though, right?" said the rap artist, later named favourite rap/hip-hop artist.

 Furtado responded: "We're the only two Nellys to have Top 10 hits! Give it up!"

 Another Canadian presenter was pinup Pamela Anderson, who introduced performer/boyfriend Kid Rock as "my Detroit daddy."

 Earlier, co-host Jenny McCarthy took a friendly shot at Anderson in the crowd.

 "I'm so tired of chicks with blonde hair with big boobs. I'm just over it," said McCartney, guilty on both fronts.

 Also getting awards last night were Irish rock veterans U2, who took home the Internet fans' artist of the year trophy but were beaten out by boy band NSYNC for favourite pop/rock band, duo or group.

 "Oh, quit booing!" said NSYNC's Justin Timberlake. "U2 is going to get Grammys."

 The Dublin band, who was not in attendance, recently received a whopping eight Grammy nominations.

 Limp Bizkit won favourite alternative artist honors and Luther Vandross picked up the favourite soul/R&B male artist award before he sang Something and My Sweet Lord in tribute to former Beatle George Harrison and other artists who died last year.

 Michael Jackson was presented with the artist of the century award and thanked, among others, his "other father, Marlon Brando."

 McGraw won favourite country male artist while his record, Set This Circus Down, was named favourite country album. His wife, Faith Hill, picked up the trophy for favourite country female artist.

 Other performers of note included Britney Spears, who in an uncharacteristically demure moment, covered up her stomach in a nude-coloured, clingy, calf-length gown, and Cher, in curly, blonde hair. (More on: Destiny's Child).