EdwardKnoxII 0 Report post Posted November 24, 2003 http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,12978,00.html Fiddy Wins Big at the Vibes by Sarah Hall Nov 21, 2003, 7:25 PM PT The movers and shakers of hip-hop were in da club Thursday for the first-ever Vibe Awards where 50 Cent was the big winner of the night. The red carpet walkers were glam as ever, but rug talk was dominated by discussion of--what else--the Michael Jackson controversy. Star after star used their face time to express views on the Gloved One's latest shenanigans, and the majority were supportive. Singer Alicia Keys said she stood behind Jackson and was sympathetic to his plight. "I feel offended for him, you know what I mean. I feel offended by the way that the media is handling a man who really has been a major force in American culture since the day that he was born virtually," Keys said. "I really think he deserves much more respect than he's getting right now...I think the truth is going to come to light, you know what I mean, and this is going to be over. This is kind of embarrassing, you know what I mean, I'm embarrassed." Umm, yeah, we know what you mean. A fresh-from-rehab Nicole Richie, daughter of Lionel and goddaughter of Jackson, said her experiences with the King of Pop have always been positive and that she believes the charges are an attack on Jacko timed to coincide with the release of his greatest hits album, Number Ones. "I grew up with him and I've spent a lot of time at Neverland and nothing has ever happened with me in any way," the Simple Life star said. "You have to look at both sides. I do think it is very convenient that his album came out and all this stuff is happening." Inside Santa Monica's Civic Auditorium, Grammy-winner Queen Latifah held court over the awards ceremony, which included performances by 50 Cent, OutKast, R. Kelly and Mary J. Blige. Fiddy was the night's success story with a triple-victory--taking home trophies for Dopest Album for Get Rich or Die Tryin', Hottest Hook for "In Da Club," and Artist of the Year. Beyoncé and Jay-Z were both double honorees, and took home joint honors for Coolest Collabo for their hit "Crazy in Love". Jay-Z also took home one of the night's special honors--the TuBig Award, presented in memory of murdered rap legends Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. Pharrell Williams, who led the pack with five nominations, nabbed the Tightest Team Players trophy for his work with partner Chad Hugo in N.E.R.D. and the Neptunes. The one-time only VX Award went to hip-hop pioneer Russell Simmons. The show was taped Thursday and aired Friday night on UPN. The nominations for the Vibe Awards were determined by the editorial staff of Vibe magazine and a panel of music journalists and entertainment execs selected the winners, with the exception of the Next Award recipient, who was chosen by fans via online voting. Here's a complete rundown of all the 2003 Vibe Award winners: The VX Award: Russell Simmons The TuBig Award: Jay-Z The Style Maverick: P. Diddy R&B Vanguard: R. Kelly Artist of the Year: 50 Cent Tightest Team Players: N.E.R.D./The Neptunes Sexiest Video Vixen: Jeanette Chavis, "Excuse Me Miss," by Jay-Z Most Influential Region: New York Reelest Video: "Work It," by Missy Elliot Most Stylish: Beyoncé Dopest Album: Get Rich or Die Tryin' by 50 Cent Hottest Hook: "In Da Club," by 50 Cent Enterprising Entrepreneur: Damon Dash Coolest Collabo: "Crazy in Love," by Beyoncé, featuring Jay-Z Next: Joe Budden Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
