MUSIC SHOW VOTERS LIKE SMITH'S `STYLE'; RAPPER'S 3 AWARDS LEAD DION, BROOKS.

Byline: Fred Shuster Daily News Staff Writer

Actor-rapper Will Smith wasn't just jiggy, he was downright happy Monday when the American Music Awards presented him with three top honors.

Smith said backstage that comic Jerry Seinfeld actually helped make his single, ``Gettin' Jiggy Wit' It,'' a catch-phrase by mentioning it on his show.

``Then, you started hearing newscasters and people saying it,'' said Smith, star of the current box office hit ``Enemy of the State.'' ``It kind of took off and here we are today.''

Smith, who started his career as rapper Fresh Prince and later starred in TV and movies, won in the favorite pop-rock album category for ``Big Willie Style,'' as well as favorite male soul-r&b singer and favorite soul-r&b album.

The three-hour 26th annual awards ceremony was broadcast on ABC from the Shrine Auditorium.

``Titanic'' love theme songbird Celine Dion and country star Garth Brooks tied with two awards each.

But Canadian country superstar Shania Twain, leading with five nominations, received just one statuette and didn't show up.

Dion, who said backstage that she was planning to take a few years off to start a family with her husband-manager, won awards for favorite female pop-rock artist and favorite adult-contemporary artist.

The favorite soundtrack honor went to the multimillion-selling ``Titanic,'' with the award accepted by Dion and composer James Horner.

``After `Titanic,' what do you want me to do?'' Dion told reporters. ``I have to rest, I have to have a normal life, I have to cook, to play golf. To be honest, what's going to happen to me, I don't know. I need a break now.''

For his part, Horner said he was looking forward to his next film project after a year that saw the movie soundtrack sell almost 10 million albums.

``I'm a bit surprised,'' the Britisher said. ``It's flattering, but I'm ready to move on.''

Singer-songwriter Brooks, named favorite male country artist, also won the favorite country album statuette for ``Sevens.''

Brooks also presented Billy Joel with a lifetime achievement award.

``That was the biggest honor - presenting the award to Billy,'' Brooks said. ``He's a big influence. I'm sure he sees me and a lot of other people ripping him off everyday.''

Joel, 49, who last won an American Music Award honor in 1981, said he was pleased to have ``been around long enough to get one of these. I've been in rock 'n' roll bands since I was 15 years old.''

Other winners Monday included the Dixie Chicks, voted favorite new country artist; leading Grammy Awards contender Lauryn Hill, named favorite new soul-r&b artist; and teen heartthrobs 'N Sync, who won for favorite new pop-rock artist.

``We came out last March and everything's been blazing since then,'' said 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake backstage. ``We have the best fans in the entire world.''

Winners of the annual music awards were selected by a national sampling of around 20,000 record buyers. The show also featured a reunion performance by Blondie - the '70s and '80s new wave band that broke up 16 years ago is set to go on tour.

``One thing we can say about rap and Blondie - we're not dead yet,'' joked the band's singer, Deborah Harry.

Twain, nominated five times, won a single award for favorite female country artist. Enrique Iglesias was named favorite Latin music artist, and Pearl Jam took the prize for favorite alternative music artist.

Rapper and label owner Master P got the honor for favorite rap artist.

``If homework pays off, it paid off tonight,'' the New Orleans rapper said after accepting the statuette.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--2) Singer Brandy, co-host of Monday's American Music Awards, performs a song between introduction duties, below. At right, country superstar Garth Brooks offers a stunned response to receiving one of his two awards of the night.

Tom Mendoza/Daily News