Bmi Honors Will.i.am, Lil Wayne, Polow Da Don, Emi Music Publishing & More At Urban Awards

Los Angeles, CA (Top40 Charts/ BMI) - U.S. performing right organization Broadcast Music, Inc. saluted the songwriters, producers and music publishers of the most-performed R&B, rap and hip-hop songs last night at its annual Urban Awards. BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Catherine Brewton, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, hosted the ceremony along with Ray J at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.

BMI presented the BMI President's Award to will.i.am in recognition of The Black Eyed Peas co-founder's work as an artist, producer, and humanitarian. The honor is bestowed on an individual who has distinctly and profoundly influenced the entertainment industry.

Lil Wayne took home his second consecutive Urban Songwriter of the Year award by writing six of the past year's most-performed songs in BMI's urban repertoire. 'Boom Boom Pow' earned Urban Song of the Year. Co-written by will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo, The Black Eyed Peas' smash was published by Cherry River Music Co., Jeepney Music, Inc., Tab Magnetic Publishing and will.i.am music, inc. EMI Music Publishing claimed the Urban Publisher of the Year crown, and BMI Urban Producer of the Year went to Polow Da Don.

The BMI/SunTrust No 1 Show was held before the ceremony, honoring songwriters behind No 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Rap Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts.

Sponsors of the 2010 BMI Urban Awards included SunTrust, Coke, Hennessy/Moet, Smart Water and TW Steel Watches.