So, how do you follow up an awards event that included a genuine hip hop bust up and a real stabbing? By doubling the number of security guards, I guess. Either way, with rapper Young Buck still awaiting trial relating to that stabbing incident at last year's event, this year's Vibe Awards passed without incident. Mariah Carey dominated the annual celebration of US hip hop and R&B, taking the awards for best R&B song and album, and being named Artist and R&B Voice Of The Year. Her dominance at the Vibe Awards confirmed Carey's comeback as part of the Def Jam fold after her disastrous 'Glitter' project for EMI back in 2001.
Needless to say, there was heightened security this time round, but everything seemed to run smoothly. The only dramas of the night were Carey's seemingly late arrival meaning she wasn't on hand to pick up her first award, and a slightly uneasy moment when The Game won the award for Hottest Hook for his track 'Hate It Or Love It', a collaboration with former associate and now bitter rival 50 Cent. Fortunately 50 Cent was not in attendance, and on collecting his award The Game chose not to reference his collaborator on the winning track.
Other winners on the night included Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley who won the Boomshot Award For Caribbean Music for 'Welcome To Jamrock', The Diplomats who were named Best Group and Mary J Blige who was presented with a VLegend award by producer Quincy Jones.
The full list of winners runs thus...
Artist of the Year: Mariah Carey
Album of the Year: Mariah Carey
R&B Voice of the Year: Mariah Carey
Best R&B Song: Mariah Carey - We Belong Together
Best Rapper: Kanye West
Next Award: Keyshia Cole
Coolest Collabo: Ciara featuring Ludacris - Oh
Street Anthem: TI - U Don't Know Me
Power Broker of the Year: Kevin Liles
Club Banger: Amerie - 1 Thing
Reelest Video: R Kelly - Trapped in the Closet (Chapters 1-5)
Hottest Hook: The Game featuring 50 Cent - Hate it or Love It
Video Goddess: Esther Baxter in Number One Spot by Ludacris
Boomshot Award: Damian "Junior Gong" Marley - Welcome to Jamrock
Best Group: The Diplomats
VStyle: Baby Phat
Vibe Vixen: Kimora Lee Simons
VLegend: Mary J Blige