Stars headed to Miami for BMI Awards

NEW YORK (JLM PR/ BMI Awards) WHO: Al Green, Kanye West, Sleepy Brown, Pharrell Williams, Miri Ben-Ari, Lloyd, Claudette Ortiz, R. Kelly, Juvenile, Mario Winans, Lil Jon, Ciara, Rodney Jerkins, Ying Yang Twins, Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Rampage, Yummy Bingham, LA Reid, Chad Hugo, Eugene Record, Anthony Hamilton, Ini Kamoze, Carl (Carl Mo) Mahone, Irv Gotti, Fat Joe, Wayne Wonder, Swizz Beatz, Sham, DJ Clue, Jazze Pha, Eddie and Brian Holland, Method Man, Boys II Men, Lil Flip, Bubba Sparxxx, Farnsworth Bentley, Redman, Marvin Winans Jr., Chucky Thompson, Rockwilder, Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, Full Force, Big Tymers, Jerry Wonder Duplessis, Dallas Austin, Detrick Hadden and Too Short are expected to attend.

WHAT: The 2004 BMI URBAN AWARDS recognizing the songwriters and publishers of the most-played Urban songs on U.S. radio and television. An Urban Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Producer of the Year and Publisher of the Year will be named. In addition to the song awards, BMI will also honor the Top Urban Producers of 2003-2004 and the BMI writers whose songs hit No 1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop charts.

A Musical Tribute to 2004 BMI ICON Al Green will be produced by BMI songwriters/producers Kanye West, Sleepy Brown, Pharrell Williams, Claudette Ortiz, Miri Ben-Ari and Lloyd. An additional performance by R. Kelly will also take place that evening.

WHEN: Friday, August 27, at 7 p.m. Press interviews will take place between 7 and 8 p.m., with press check-in at 5 p.m., in the main lobby.

WHERE: Grand Ballroom of the Fountainebleau Hilton Resorts & Towers in Miami Beach, FL.

WHY: BMI, the performing rights organization that represents approximately 220,000 songwriters and composers and more than 80,000 U.S. music publishers, has supported and nurtured African-American popular music throughout its 64-year history. This premier awards ceremony acknowledges the songwriters and producers in the R&B and hip-hop community whose music has contributed so much to our entertainment and culture.