With six awards, Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice" video emerged as the biggest winner at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), presented last night (Sept. 6) at the Metropolitan Opera House in New Y

With six awards, Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice" video emerged as the biggest winner at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), presented last night (Sept. 6) at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. The innovative Spike Jonze-directed clip, which features only actor Christopher Walken dancing to the song in a hotel lobby, went into the night as the top contender with nine nominations.

"Weapon of Choice" won the awards for breakthrough video, best direction in a video, best choreography in a video, best art direction in a video, best editing in a video, and best cinematography in a video. Its multiple-award take marks the first time in MTV VMAs history that a video without an appearance by the artist has swept the awards.

While "Weapon" pulled in the most honors, the prestigious best video of the year honor went to the clip for the Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya & Pink remake of LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade," which appeared on the "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack. Mirroring the lavish look of the Nicole Kidman/Ewan MacGregor-starring movie, it also won the award for best video from a film.

'N Sync's "Pop" was honored with four prizes: best group video, best pop video, best dance video, and the Viewers Choice award.

Mudvayne's "Dig" won the inaugural MTV2 award, which was established to honor the best overall achievement by an act whose video premiered on MTV sister network MTV2 and received significant on-air rotation.

Several multiple nominees ultimately didn't win any awards. They included Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott's "Get Ur Freak On" (which had six nominations), Eminem featuring Dido's "Stan" (five nominations), and Janet Jackson's "All for You" (four nods).

And although U2's "Beautiful Day" and "Elevation" were also shut out for the five awards for which they were nominated, the group took home the career achievement-marking 2001 Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

Aaliyah, who was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas on Aug. 25, was the subject of a heartfelt tribute by her brother, Elliott, and Janet Jackson. Jackson read a letter from a fan that closed with the line "we haven't lost anyone, we've only gained an angel." Elliott later dedicated her performance of "Get Ur Freak On" to Aaliyah's memory.

Videos eligible for this year's awards were promotional videoclips that premiered on MTV between June 10, 2000, and June 8, 2001. The awards are voted on by music industry professionals and MTV viewers. About 500 ballots went to industry professionals and approximately 650 ballots went to MTV viewers who were pre-selected by MTV. Voting for the Viewers Choice Award and the MTV2 Award took place online at mtv.com.

Alien Ant Farm, City High, Elliott, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Linkin Park, Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule, 'N Sync (with a surprise appearance by Michael Jackson), Britney Spears, Staind, and U2 performed during the awards show, which was hosted by comedian Jamie Foxx.

Mick Jagger, Sheryl Crow, Busta Rhymes, Shakira, Walken, Destiny's Child, Jon Bon Jovi, and Jewel were among the presenters.



Here is the complete list of 2001 MTV Video Music Awards winners:

Best video of the year: Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya & Pink, "Lady Marmalade" (Interscope)
Best male video: Moby featuring Gwen Stefani, "South Side" (V2)
Best female video: Eve featuring Gwen Stefani, "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (Ruff Ryders/Interscope)
Best group video: 'N Sync, "Pop" (Jive)
Best rap video: Nelly, "Ride Wit Me" (Fo' Reel/Universal)
Best R&B video: Destiny's Child, "Survivor" (Columbia)
Best hip-hop video: Outkast, "Ms. Jackson" (LaFace/Arista)
Best dance video: 'N Sync, "Pop"
Best rock video: Limp Bizkit, "Rollin'" (Flip/Interscope)
Best pop video: 'N Sync, "Pop"
Best new artist in a video: Alicia Keys, "Fallin'" (J)
Best video from a film: Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya & Pink, "Lady Marmalade"
Viewers choice award: 'N Sync, "Pop"
MTV2 Award: Mudvayne, "Dig" (No Name/Epic)
Breakthrough video: Fatboy Slim, "Weapon of Choice" (Skint/Astralwerks)
Best direction in a video: Fatboy Slim, "Weapon of Choice"; Director: Spike Jonze
Best choreography in a video: Fatboy Slim, "Weapon of Choice"; Choreographer: Michael Rooney
Best special effects in a video: Robbie Williams, "Rock DJ" (Capitol); Special effects: Carter White, Audio Motion and Clear Post Production
Best art direction in a video: Fatboy Slim, "Weapon of Choice"; Art director: Val Wilt
Best editing in a video: Fatboy Slim, "Weapon of Choice"; Editor: Eric Zumbrennen
Best cinematography in a video: Fatboy Slim, "Weapon of Choice"; Director of photography: Lance Acord
Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award: U2