Watch CBS News

Coldplay Crowned World's Biggest Act

Coldplay are officially the biggest band in the world.

The British group were named the globe's Best Selling Recording Act at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo on Sunday. They also picked up two other top titles, World's Best Selling Rock Act and Great Britain's Best Selling Act.

The star-studded ceremony, which salutes the most popular international music-makers, is based on record sales.

Beyonce kicked off the event, performing a medley of her songs "If I Were A Boy" and "Single Ladies." She also collected the Outstanding Contribution to the Arts title.

Mariah Carey, fresh from her performance on the UK talent show "The X Factor," picked up the Special Achievement Award.

Other winners, inluding Alicia Keys, Kid Rock, Estelle, The Script, Madcon, DJ Laurent Wolf, Nancy Ajram, Kate Ryan and Philipp Kirkorov celebrated their achievements by performing at the event.

And just days after Paul McCartney was honored with the Ultimate Legend award at the MTV Europe Video Music Awards in Liverpool, his Fab Four band-mate Ringo Star picked up a trophy in Monaco. Starr was presented with the Diamond Award on behalf of The Beatles. The honor was for selling more recordings than any other band in the history of the music industry.

Hosted by Jesse Metcalfe and former Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams - a broadcast of the ceremony is set to air in 160 countries around the world.

The World Music Awards have been running since 1989, it's a charity event which benefits the Monaco Aide & Presence Foundation.


World Music Awards 2008 winners list:

-Diamond Award: Ringo Starr
-Outstanding Contribution to the Arts: Beyonce
-Special Achievement Award: Mariah Carey
-Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry: LA Reid
-World's Best Selling Recording Act: Coldplay
-Best Selling Pop Female: Leona Lewis
-Best Selling Pop Male: Kid Rock
-Best Selling Pop/Rock Female: Amy Winehouse
-Best Selling Pop/Rock Male: Kid Rock
-Best Selling Rock Group: Coldplay
-Best Selling R&B Artist: Alicia Keys
-Best Selling R&B Male: Chris Brown
-Best Selling Best New R&B Act: Estelle
-Best selling Rap/Hip Hop: Lil Wayne
-Best Selling New Artist: Leona Lewis
-Best Selling Best DJ: DJ Laurent Wolf
-Best Selling Biggest Internet Artist: Akon
-Best Selling Latin Artist: Enrique Iglesias
-Best Selling Artist From Africa: Akon
-Best Selling Artist From America: Madonna
-Best Selling Artist From Australia: Delta Goodrem
-Best Selling Artist From Benelux: Kate Ryan
-Best Selling Artist From Canada: Celine Dion
-Best Selling Artist From China: Jay Chou
-Best Selling Artist From France: Christophe Mae
-Best Selling Artist From Germany: Die Arzte
-Best Selling Artist From Great Britain: Coldplay
-Best Selling Artist From Ireland: The Script
-Best Selling Artist From Italy: Jovanotti
-Best Selling Artist From Japan: Exile
-Best Selling Artist From The Middle East: Nancy Ajram
-Best Selling Artist From Nigeria: Tuface
-Best Selling Artist From Norway: Madcon
-Best Selling Artist From Russia: Philipp Kirkorov
-Best Selling Artist From Spain: Enrique Iglesias

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.