Beyonce's Dangerously in Love bags 5 Grammys

Janet Jackson's breast baring incident dominated the Grammys as Beyonce captured a record five awards for her solo debut album Dangerously in Love.

Her five trophies tied a record set by Alicia Keys, Norah Jones and Lauryn Hill for the most Grammys won by a female artist.

Justin Timberlake, who bagged two Grammys, apologised for ripping off Jackson's top at the end of a hot song at the Super Bowl last week.

"I know it's been a rough week on everybody," said Timberlake, while accepting the best male pop vocal performance award for Cry Me A River. "What occurred was unintentional, completely regrettable, and I apologize if you guys are offended."

As a result of the Jackson controversy CBS had instituted a five-minute delay on the 'live' Grammy broadcast to prevent any repeat of the incident.

Janet Jackson stayed away from the event. A statement from Jackson's camp said CBS and the Grammys first asked her not to attend, then reversed themselves and re-invited her, but she chose not to attend.

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Beyonce also won best female R&B performance for Dangerously in Love, best contemporary R&B album for Dangerously in Love and best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for 'The Closer I Get To You', a remake she did with Luther Vandross, who has suffered debilitating stroke.

Vandross also won two other awards -- best male R&B vocal performance for Dance With My Father, and best R&B album for the same song.

A weak-looking Vandross in a taped address said: "I wish I could be with you there tonight. I want to thank everyone for your love and support."

"This is unbelievable. Performing was enough for me," said an excited Beyonce, who was wearing a tight dress with a feather skirt. Her Crazy in Love won two trophies – for best R&B song and best rap/sung collaboration. Her boyfriend, Jay-Z, won two awards for collaborating on that hit.

OutKast won two awards -- best urban/alternative performance for Hey Ya! and best rap album for Speakerboxxx-The Love Below --  after being nominated for a leading six Grammys.

Other multiple winners included Jack White of The White Stripes and Eminem, with two each, and bluegrass singer Alison Krauss, who had three.

Best-selling artist, rapper 50 Cent, did not win any despite five nominations.

The breast-popping incident, however, was on the minds of almost everyone. "I don't want to have the same thing happen that Janet had done," Christina Aguilera said while accepting the award for best female pop vocal performance.

Agencies