British techno band Prodigy won two awards for its controversial song Smack My Bitch Up, while rockers Aerosmith and Green Day, rapper/actor Will Smith and Australian chanteuse Natalie Imbruglia picked up one award each.

Madonna also performed a blistering version of the hit single Ray of Light, decked out in Indian makeup and backed up traditional Indian dancers and rocker Lenny Kravitz on guitar.

Ray of Light was honoured in the choreography and editing categories, while her song Frozen won the special effects category. The awards were announced yesterday before the ceremony began at the Universal amphitheatre. In all, Madonna lead the pack with nine nominations, followed by alternative band Garbage with eight.

Prodigy won the best dance and breakthroughawards for Smack My Bitch Up a song that MTV played in late night rotation because of the politically incorrect nature of the lyrics.

Madonna could share in the band's triumph as her Maverick Records label represents Prodigy in the United States.