Sisqo of ‘Thong Song’ fame dominates Billboard Music Awards

Angie Wagner

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000 | 3:27 a.m.

Who knew singing about women's underwear would make a star out of Sisqo? The artist was the big winner at the Billboard Music Awards, bringing home six awards, while 'NSync, the Dixie Chicks and Destiny's Child won four apiece.

Sisqo's hit "The Thong Song" led him to male artist of the year, new artist of the year and four other honors Tuesday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

"I wasn't expecting to win that many," he said backstage, flashing a pair of black thong underwear at reporters.

He said he was most proud of his male artist of the year award.

"It's giving homage to you as an artist," he said.

The Billboard Awards, broadcast on Fox, are determined by the magazine's year-end chart listings, which are based on a combination of record sales and radio airplay.

Pop group 'NSync, co-host of the show with actress Kathy Griffin, won album of the year for "No Strings Attached." The group also collected three other awards, including one for biggest week of sales for "No Strings Attached."

The Dixie Chicks won country artist of the year, country group of the year and country album of the year for "Fly."

Destiny's Child won artist of the year, group of the year, hot 100 singles artist of the year, and hot 100 singles group of the year.

The show was a teen-ager's dream - with 'NSync, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera all winning awards. Hundreds of teens lined up hours before the show to get a glimpse of their idols walking down the red carpet.

"Britney, your boyfriend drives me crazy," a group of screaming girls yelled in reference to Spears' beau, Justin Timberlake of 'NSync.

"This year has been, like, a dream come true for me," Spears said after collecting her award for albums artist of the year.

Faith Hill picked up awards for hot 100 single of the year for "Breathe," female hot 100 singles artist and female country artist of the year. "I love singing 'Breathe.' I've never gotten tired of singing that song," she said backstage.

The group 3 Doors Down performed its hit "Kryptonite" while the audience waved glowing green wands and a "superhero" dressed in green flew overhead.

Dogs came running down the aisles of the arena as Baha Men performed its hit "Who Let the Dogs Out."

"When I heard it on Sportscenter, I knew that it was gone," group member Moe Grant said about the song.