0 Beyonce 2011 Billboard Music Awards Performance

Beyonce Knowles wowed star-studded crowd of Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas with a show stopping performance. The R&B diva played with virtual and special effects for the live performance of her women-empowerment single "Run the World (Girls)".

Beyonce is one of the special honorees at the event. She received Millennium Award due to her career achievements and influence in the music industry. Her father Mathew, mother Tina, sister Solange Knowles, First Lady Michelle Obama, Lady GaGa, Bono, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder gathered up to honor her.

"I sang to Beyonce as a beautiful baby girl, but it wasn't too long before she was singing back to me and to the whole world," Tina Knowles said of her daughter before presenting the award. "Only 29 years old, for 15 of those years, you've been on the stage wowing crowd everywhere, raising the bar and setting new standards, but still managing to stay grounded and a beautiful person."

First Lady Michele stated, "In addition to being just a beautiful young woman, she's been a role model and a powerful presence for young girls and women all around the world." She added, "I'm very proud of the women she is, the role model she provides to so many women and I truly congratulate her tonight on all her success."

0 Beyonce: 'Run The World (Girls)' Video

Beyonce unveiled her new song and video, "Run the World (Girls)," on "American Idol on Wednesday (where she appeared as a mentor to the contestants), largely bringing back the elements that made her "Single Ladies" song and video mega hits: women's empowerment, and a brand new dance.

In the video which is set for a June 28th release, Beyonce begins dancing with her shoulders, representing an “army” of women behind her as they stand before troops of men who watch closely. The “battle” is peaceful as Beyonce, dancing in a trio of women, makes moves we will soon see take YouTube by storm. The army of men stand astonished as Beyonce triumphs. They are upset that they cannot defend themselves. They are defeated.

Along with passionate moves, and making worldly fashion statements, Beyonce also maintained piercing facial expressions throughout the video. At the end of each refrain, the queen of pop belts “Girls” with vengeance and a passion like no other.

“Run The World (Girls)” makes it known that this may be a man’s world – but it is nothing without a woman’s touch and sense of style.

In a recent interview with Billboard, the singer said she worked with the band of afrobeat legend Fela Kuti to gain new inspiration for her music, the first in a laundry list of influences for "4."

"I also found a lot of inspiration in '90s R&B; Earth, Wind & Fire; DeBarge; Lionel Richie; Teena Marie," she said, beginning her eclectic list. "I listened to a lot of Jackson 5 and New Edition, but also Adele, Florence the Machine, and Prince. Add in my hip-hop influences, and you can hear how broad it is. I also gave myself more freedom to really belt out some songs, and bring soul singing back."