The Billboard Awards are literally a popularity contest; awards are earned through the trade magazine analyzing chart data for the previous year; in this case sales charts were analyzed from December of last year through this November. However there is strong R&B focus. 

Fox broadcast the awards ceremony which included performances from Evanescence, Clay Aiken, Shania Twain, Foo Fighters, Beyonce Knowles, Pink, Sting, R. Kelly, and No Doubt.

50 Cent was named “Artist of the Year” and Evanescence walked away with the best new artist award. Beyonce won not only the best new female artist award but also one for best new female R&B artist award and an award for having the most weeks at the top of the Hot 100 list, in her case 17 weeks. 

Audioslave cleaned up in the rock and modern rock categories while 3 Doors Down took “Group of the Year” honors, as well as the Hot 100 group of the year. (yes, they are different awards).  Trapt won both Rock and Modern Rock Track Awards for their single "Headstrong"

Below is the winner list for the 2003 Billboard Music Awards. 

Artist Of The Year - 50 Cent 
Group Artist Of The Year - 3 Doors Down
New Artist, Group - Evanescence
New Artist, R&B Female - Beyonce 
New Artist, R&B Male - Chingy
New Female Artist - Beyonce
Special Hot 100 Award For Most Weeks At Number One - Beyonce (17 Weeks) 
R&B/Hip-Hop Artist - 50 Cent
Rap Artist - 50 Cent
Rock Artist - Audioslave
Modern Rock Artist - Audioslave
Country Artist - Shania Twain 
Country Albums Artist - Shania Twain
Country Album - Shania Twain For Up
Best Selling Single - Clay Aiken - "This Is The Night/Bridge Over Troubled Water"
Hot 100 Female Artist - Beyonce 
Hot 100 Duo/Group Artist  - 3 Doors Down
Hot 100 Producer - R. Kelly
R&B Producer - R. Kelly
Hot 100 Songwriter - R. Kelly
R&B Songwriter - R. Kelly
Mainstream Top 40 Track - Black Eyed Peas "Where Is The Love?" 
Top Rhthmic Top 40 Track - Chingy "Right Thurr" 
Digital Track - Outkast - "Hey Ya!" 
Billboard Century Award - Sting
Soundtrack Single - Evanescence "Bring Me To Life"
Rock Track - Trapt "Headstrong"
Modern Rock Track - Trapt "Headstrong"
Top Crossover Classical Artist - Josh Groban
Top Crossover Classical Album - Josh Groban, Closer
 
 

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