A dark-haired Madonna accepted the best female singer award at the fifth annual MTV Europe music awards in Milan, Italy, last night. Wearing an outfit by Gucci, Madonna thanked her record company as well as her fans, who greeted her with delirious applause. At a backstage news conference, Reuters reports, Madonna said the European record market was "a lot more important than the U.S. market in many ways since it is made up of so many different countries." The singer, who is planning a world tour, also won the best new album award for "Ray of Light."

  • Britain's Spice Girls were honored as best group for the second consecutive year. Posh Spice and Scary Spice did not appear because they are both on maternity leave.

  • Aerosmith bested the Smashing Pumpkins to walk away with the best rock group award, and the Beastie Boys beat out Puff Daddy and Busta Rhymes for the best rap act.