Kanye crashes stage to support Beyonce

New York - More than two months after he died, Michael Jackson ruled at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards as some of the industry's biggest stars, led by Janet Jackson and Madonna, paid homage to the "king."

The awards extravaganza at Radio City Music Hall in New York saw Beyonce's Single ladies win the MTV award, known as a Moonman, for best video of the year.

There were Moonmen for Britney Spears in pop video, Green Day in rock and Eminem for hip hop, while drama queen Lady Gaga, who changed costume several times during the show, was picked as best new artist.

Teen country star Taylor Swift won best female video, but her acceptance speech was spoiled when rapper Kanye West crashed the stage and grabbed her microphone to tell the hall he favored Beyonce's video in the category.

"http://www.youtube.com/v/oel1GaxuDOI&hl=en&fs=1&"

MTV reports that Swift won the award for You Belong With Me over Beyonce's Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It). But West crashed the stage, took the microphone from her and protested the win, saying Beyonce deserved it.

"I'm sorry, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time," he proclaimed as Beyonce looked on from the crowd, stunned.

West later left Radio City Music Hall after he was booed heavily for his rant.

Later in the show, Beyonce brought the teen singer up following her Video of the Year win.

Beyonce told the audience about her first VMA win as a 17-year-old with Destiny's Child and how much it meant to her. The singer then called Swift from backstage to huge applause. Beyonce and Swift exchanged a hug before Beyoncé passed the microphone to the teen artist.

"Maybe we can try this again," Swift said, drawing a laugh.

"I would really like to thank Roman White, who directed the video, and Lucas Till for being in it," Swift said. "I would like to thank all the fans on Twitter and MySpace and everyone that came out to my shows this summer. And I would like to thank my little brother's high school for letting us shoot there."

AFP reports that it was Jackson, who died aged 50 on June 25, receiving most accolades, with host Russell Brand and award winners lining up to pay tribute.

Madonna started the evening by commemorating "one of the greatest talents the world has ever known".

Jackson "didn't just make you want to dance," the diva said in her moving and personal remarks, "but actually made you believe you could fly".

But after praising Jackson, Madonna sounded a darker note, saying she felt many failed to go to his help when his life began to fall apart amid health problems, a fading career, and child abuse allegations.

"I had abandoned him," she said. "We had abandoned him, that we allowed this magnificent creature who lit the world on fire to somehow slip through the cracks."

"Most of us had turned our backs on him," she said, before ending with the call: "Long live the king!"

Janet Jackson then recreated the dance moves from her only video made with her brother, "Scream," as a vast screen behind her played the original.

"http://www.youtube.com/v/9_Xi0ehnU9I&hl=en&fs=1&"

Brand, a British comedian who appeared in a top hat, also spoke for the late pop giant, saying: "Tonight is dedicated to the great Michael Jackson."

Los Angeles coroners say Jackson's death is being treated as a homicide, but prosecutors have not filed charges so far. - AFP