Las Vegas ? An R&B veteran and a young upstart won big Monday night at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards.

A 17-year-old lothario, Chris Brown, took home new artist of the year, male of artist of the year and artist of the year awards.

Newcomers Rihanna and Idol-turned-country star Carrie Underwood also walked away with high honors at the two-hour show aired live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

But it was a seasoned artist that took home the most honors. R&B diva Mary J. Blige’s comeback album, “The Breakthrough,” delivered nine awards to the 35-year-old singer, including R&B/Hip-Hop artist of the year, female R&B artist of the year and R&B/Hip-Hop album of the year.

The album debuted at the top of the Billboard charts in December 2005 and has sold 2.6 million copies since.

Blige, in white go-go boots and a sparkly mini-dress, rocked the full house by belting out a medley of her “Enough Crying” and “Take me as I am.”

Blige said she’s already reached the pinnacle of her career by enduring personal struggles that once led her to sing hopefully about having “no more drama” in her life.

“I’ve realized if I don’t (love) myself, nobody will. Nobody is going to love me more than I do,” Blige told reporters after the show.

It was an 18-year-old from Barbados that edged out Blige and Beyonce for the top songstress honor.

“I really can’t feel my legs, this is phenomenal,” said Rihanna as she accepted the award for best female artist of the year award. “That was a really tough category.”

The telecast did not feature Tinseltown’s duo du jour – heiress Paris Hilton and mom-gone-wild Britney Spears. After their recent binge of late-night partying, it was reported that the new best friends would be co-hosting the show. But neither appeared and the show went on without a host, a lineup of presenters filling in to move things along.

Country crossover Carrie Underwood’s “Some Hearts” won both country album and album of the year. The “American Idol” winner was named female country artist of the year.

Mary J. Blige picked up an armful of awards at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Blige was the big winner at Monday's show, winning nine trophies.

Atlanta rapper T.I. took home rap artist of the year and rap album of the year for his fourth solo album, “King,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart in March.

Crooner Tony Bennett was honored with the Billboard Century Award, a lifetime achievement award.

Bennett timed his release of “Duets: An American Classic” – featuring Bono, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand and other musical big-timers – to his 80th birthday. The September release has become the best-selling album of his 50-plus-year recording career.

The Billboard Awards are given to the year’s chart-topping artists. Winners are determined by the magazine’s year-end chart listings, which are based on record sales and airplay.

2006 Billbord Music Awards Winners

Artist: Chris Brown

Male Artist: Chris Brown

Female Artist: Rihanna

Artist-Duo/Group: Nickelback

New Artist: Chris Brown

Female Billboard 200 Album Artist: Carrie Underwood

Hot 100 Artists-Duo/Group: Nickelback

Hot 100 Song: Mary J. Blige, “Be Without You”

Female Hot 100 Artist: Rihanna

Pop 100 Artist: Rihanna

R&B/Hip-Hop Artist: Mary J. Blige

R&B/Hip-Hop Album: Mary J. Blige, “The Breakthrough”

R&B/Hip-Hop Song: Mary J. Blige, “Be Without You”

R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Artist: Mary J. Blige

R&B Album Artist: Mary J. Blige

R&B/Hip-Hop Song Airplay: Mary J. Blige, “Be Without You”

Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist: Mary J. Blige

Videoclip: Mary J. Blige, “Be Without You”

Rap Artist: T.I.

Rap Album: T.I., “King”

Rap Album Artist: T.I.

Rap Songs Artist: T.I.

Videoclips Artist: T.I.

Album: Carrie Underwood, “Some Hearts”

Country Album: Carrie Underwood, “Some Hearts”

Female Country Artist: Carrie Underwood

Male Country Artist: Kenny Chesney

New Country Artist: Carrie Underwood

Country Songs Artist: Kenny Chesney

Rock Single: Three Days Grace, “Animal I Have Become”

Rock Album: Nickelback, “All the Right Reasons”

Pop Single: Nelly Furtado, “Promiscuous” (featuring Timbaland)

Digital Album: The Fray, “How to Save a Life”

Digital Songs Artist: The Fray

Digital Album Artist: The Fray

Soundtrack Album: “High School Musical”