Sean Paul poudly displays his award for best new artiste at the MTV Europe music awards in Edinburgh, Scotland, last night. (Photo:AP)

GOING in with three nominations, dancehall toaster Sean Paul snagged the Best New Artiste award at last night's staging of the MTV Europe Music Awards. The awards show was held in Edinburgh, Scotland, and featured performances and appearances from some of pop music's most prolific hit makers.

Sean Paul, whose Dutty Rock album has sold well both in North America and Europe, littered the global charts with hits including Gimmie the Light, Get Busy, Like Glue, Breathe (a collaboration with Blu Cantrell) and Crazy in Love (with Destiny's Child front woman Beyonce Knowles).

Sean Paul recently took home the Best Reggae album at the just concluded Source Awards in Miami. He was also a multiple nominee in this year's MTV Video Music Awards. Paul is up for three awards in the American Music Awards, which will be handed out later this month. Paul also performed on the show.

A confident Sean Paul arrives at the MTV Europe Awards show in Edinburgh, Scotland last night. (Photo:AP)

But US artistes hijacked most of the night's awards with Justin Timberlake, Beyonce Knowles and host Christina Aguilera taking home the big prizes.

Timberlake won best male, best pop act and best album for Justified. The former N-Sync singer, dressed down in a t-shirt and trilby hat, beat Eminem, Sean Paul and British acts Craig David and Robbie Williams to the best male award.

Aguilera beat Knowles, Kylie Minogue, Madonna and Pink to win the Best Female award. Knowles won best song with Crazy in Love, and best R&B act, beating rivals including Jennifer Lopez. The 22-year-old star thanked boyfriend Jay-Z in her acceptance speech.

The Destiny's Child singer has brought Edinburgh to a virtual standstill over the past two days, mobbed by thousands of fans every time she set foot outside her hotel.

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