The Black Eyed Peas came out as the big winners at this year’s American Music Awards, copping three awards during the live broadcast ceremony at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Winning three-for-three, the hip-pop quartet accepted their statuettes via satellite hookup straight from Costa Rica, where they were performing. The Peas won as favorite band in both the soul/R&B and rap/hip-hop categories, and their 2005 album “Monkey Business” won favorite rap/hip-hop album.

Other big winners for the 34th annual show included Mary J. Blige winning two as favorite female soul/R&B artist, while her album The Breakthrough snagged favorite soul/R&B album.

First-time AMA winner Jamie Foxx was named favorite male artist for “Unpredictable,” his No. 1 album of late 2005. Foxx, seated behind a piano for the set’s moving “Wish U Were Here,” Foxx dedicated the song to his late grandmother and the late Gerald Levert. In fact, he was the only one to mention the great R&B singer who passed away less than two weeks ago.

Eminem won favorite male rap/hip-hop artist while a stiff-looking Kirk Franklin received the award for contemporary inspirational music.

Lionel Richie made his AMA return in grand style with an introduction from his daughter Nicole Richie, and a flashback montage from the mid-80’s showing Richie receiving AMA awards as well as hosting the show. Richie then performed “I Call It Love” from his latest album, as well as 80’s hit “All Night Long.”

Other acts included show opener Beyonce, Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg.