Billboard Winner's Creed

By Stephen M. Silverman

06/23/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

Creed ("Human Clay") and Destiny's Child ("Independent Women Part I") were among the winners last night in Las Vegas at the Billboard Music Awards, which are based on CD sales rankings. Other acts honored included pop idols 'N Sync, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, country stars the Dixie Chicks and Faith Hill, and R&B artists Sisqó and Toni Braxton. Scott Stapp, lead singer for the Florida-based Creed, planted his hands in the pockets of his tan leather jacket and told PEOPLE about the big year that his group has been having (including recent recognition at My VH1 Music Awards). Creed, which ends its current tour Dec. 14, has won Billboard's Rock Artist of the Year three years running. "It's been a long time coming," said Stapp. "We've been around six years now, under the radar. Touring, album sales have always been the same, selling out arenas, but we haven't had the media exposure the attention. So with all of that they decided, whoever decides, that it's our time. So it's good. It's exciting and fun and it's a respect thing for us. People are starting to accept us for who we are."