HIP-HOP HOORAY! GRAMMYS BRAND HOTTEST GENRE GOLDEN BEYONCE, OUTKAST, VANDROSS WIN BIG.

Byline: David Kronke Staff Writer

Flamboyant hip-hop duo OutKast took home the Grammy for album of the year for its double CD ``Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' in addition to two other trophies at the 46th annual Grammy Awards ceremony Sunday evening at Staples Center. Beyonce Knowles was the big winner, however, scooping up five Grammys including best contemporary R&B album for her release ``Dangerously in Love.''

Amidst the thank-yous in accepting their album of the year Grammy, Andre Benjamin and Antwan Patton - better known to fans as Andre 3000 and Big Boi - brought Antonio ``L.A.'' Reid onstage. Reid was dismissed last month from the group's label, Arista Records, despite discovering numerous million-selling artists including OutKast, Pink and Avril Lavigne.

Benjamin's acceptance speech for best rap album was a far more succinct affair: ``Thank you,'' he said with a grin before leaving the stage. Benjamin's infectious and ubiquitous ``Hey Ya!'' was named best urban/alternative performance, though it was somewhat surprisingly overlooked in the record of the year category, which went to Coldplay's hit ``Clocks.''

Beyonce's five awards tied a record set by Alicia Keys, Norah Jones and Lauryn Hill for the most Grammys won by a female artist.

``I went into my dressing room and all my family was there,'' she told reporters backstage. ``You should have heard it. We all yelled and screamed.''

In addition to best contemporary R&B album, Beyonce won for best female R&B vocal performance (``Dangerously in Love 2''), and shared the best R&B song Grammy and best rap/sung collaboration Grammys for co-writing ``Crazy in Love'' and performing it with Jay-Z. ``Crazy in Love'' also won a Grammy for its production.

Beyonce also shared a Grammy with Luther Vandross, best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals Grammy for ``The Closer I Get to You.'' Vandross, who suffered a stroke last year, won four awards. He shared song of the year Grammy with collaborator Richard Marx for writing the emotional ballad ``Dance with My Father,'' which was also named best R&B album.

``I wish I could be with you there tonight. I want to thank everyone for your love and support,'' said Vandross, who was also honored with a tribute, in a videotaped message.

Evanescence was named best new artist. Vocalist Amy Lee, who appeared to be wrapped in black rubber tape, received a congratulatory kiss from 50 Cent, a nominee in the category, who joined the band onstage briefly. Evanescence also won for best hard rock performance for ``Bring Me to Life.''

It wasn't a bad night for dead artists, who won five Grammys. The late June Carter Cash won two: best female country vocal performance for ``Keep on the Sunny Side'' and best traditional folk album for ``Wildwood Flower.'' Warren Zevon, likewise, won two Grammys, sharing one with Bruce Springsteen for best rock performance by a duo or group with vocal for ``Disorder in the House'' and best contemporary folk album for ``The Wind.'' Emmylou Harris, Jackson Brown and Billy Bob Thornton led a group that accompanied Zevon's performance of ``Keep Me in Your Heart.'' George Harrison won the best pop instrumental performance Grammy for ``Marwa Blues,'' off his posthumously released album ``Brainwashed.''

Repercussions from the previous Sunday's Super Bowl spectacle of Janet Jackson's busted bustier were felt throughout the program. CBS aired the ceremony with a five-minute delay in order to prevent any further ``wardrobe malfunctions.'' When one seemed possible as Christina Aguilera accepted her award for best female pop vocal for the self-help-seminar staple ``Beautiful,'' the camera kept a tight shot on her, lest she fall out of her low- and wide-scooped dress.

``I don't want to have the same thing happen that Janet had done,'' she said.

Justin Timberlake, whose vigorous hands-on performance resulted in the scandal, addressed the controversy when accepting the trophy for best male pop vocal performance for ``Cry Me a River.''

``It's been a rough week on everybody - what occurred was unintentional, completely regrettable, and I apologize if you were offended.'' Then he laughed and added, ``This is officially the greatest moment in my life.'' The former boy-band crooner also won the best pop vocal album trophy for ``Justified.''

CBS had requested an on-air apology in exchange for allowing Timberlake and Jackson to perform during the ceremony. For his performance, Timberlake was innocuously teamed with Cuban jazz trumpter Arturo Sandoval, and sensibly kept his hands to himself. Jackson declined to appear, according to CBS.

The broadcast opened with a hopeful declaration that it would be rated TV-PG, yet aired a movie commercial during the proceedings featuring a scene of bondage and lasciviously lingering shots of female anatomy.

Sunday's ceremony seemed more calculatedly aimed at baby boomers, who still buy CDs, as opposed to younger music fans, who tend to get their music online. For an evening that celebrates new music, there were a surprising number of old songs performed.

The evening opened with Prince and Beyonce singing a medley of songs from ``Purple Rain.'' Sting, Vince Gill, Dave Matthews and drummer Pharrell Williams performed The Beatles' ``I Saw Her Standing There,'' then Sting teamed up with crossover reggae artist Sean Paul for his Police-era tune ``Roxanne.'' Earth, Wind & Fire and George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic headlined the evening's highlight, a medley of '70s funk, a party crashed by OutKast and Robert Randolph and the Family Band.

Honoring the 40th anniversary of the Beatles' breakthrough performance on ``The Ed Sullivan Show,'' the band, who once lost a Grammy to Alvin and the Chipmunks and only won three trophies during their existence, received the President's Award. Yoko Ono Lennon accepted on behalf of her late husband, becoming emotional as she said, ``If John were here, he would have wanted to say, say it again, come together, give peace a chance and love is all we need.''

David Kronke, [phone]

david.kronke(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

8 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) Beyonce arrives at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday. She tied a record by winning five Grammys.

(2 -- color) Andre 3000 Benjamin, half of the duo OutKast, performs ``Hey Ya!'' The breakthrough group won album of the year.

(3 -- color) Sting, left, and Jamaican reggae star Sean Paul teamed up for The Police hit ``Roxanne'' at the Staples Center.

(4 -- color) Earth, Wind & Fire was part of a headlining funk tribute.

Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press

(5 -- 6 -- color) Beyonce cradles her record-tying five Grammys backstage Sunday at the 46th annual Grammy Awards. At right, Beyonce performs with Prince.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press

(7 -- color) Comedy Album of the Year winner Weird Al Yankovic clowns around.

(8 -- color) Celebrity journalist Maria Menounos arrives at Sunday's festivities.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) BEYONCE: `I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS'

(2) LONG ROAD TO RESPECT

- Associated Press