NEW YORK (Bobbi Marcus PR/ ASCAP)
- New Awards for Top Gospel Artist and Top Ringtone Song Announced
- EMI
Music Publishing Named Publisher Of The Year
Jermaine Dupri and Alicia Keys were named Songwriters of the Year at the 18th Annual ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards held tonight at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. Over 700 music and entertainment luminaries gathered to celebrate some of today's most popular music as awards were presented to the songwriters and publishers of the top ASCAP songs on the 2004 R&B, Hip-Hop and Rap charts. Songwriters and super-producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis were honored with the prestigious ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award, which is given to members who have had a major impact on the legacy of Rhythm and Soul music.
Two new awards were introduced at tonight's ceremony - Top Gospel Artist of the Year, and the Jamster sponsored "Top Ringtone Song of the Year." Grammy winning EMI Gospel recording artist Smokie Norful, who opened the show with a stirring performance of the song "Power," was presented with the award for Top Gospel Artist of the Year. Top Ringtone Song of the Year went to "In Da Club," written by 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, and Mike Elizondo. ASCAP is the first U.S. performing rights organization to license and distribute royalties to its songwriter members for ringtone performances.
Among the honorees and notables attending the elegantly attired celebration were Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jermaine Dupri, Alicia Keys, Paula Abdul, Clarence Avant, Big Boi of OutKast, Jerome Benton (formerly of The Time), Terrell Carter, Chingy, Ciara, DJ Quik, Faith Evans, Free and A.J. of BET's 106th & Park, Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Everette Harp, India.Arie, Janet Jackson, Kenny Lattimore, Leon, Lil' Mo, Loon, Ludacris, MC Lyte, Marcus Miller, Chante Moore, Mya, Smokie Norful, Petey Pablo, Kim Porter, Kelly Price, Holly Robinson Peete & Rodney Peete, Teddy Riley, Donnie Simpson, The Game, The Underdogs, The Youngbloodz, Timbaland, Twista, Nancy Wilson, and more.
With four award-winning songs apiece, Jermaine Dupri and Alicia Keys shared the enviable Songwriter of the Year Award. Recently recognized with the prestigious Golden Note Award at the 2005 ASCAP Pop Music Awards, Dupri has a keen eye for spotting talent and a natural instinct for writing and producing hit songs. He was honored tonight for "Burn," "Confessions Part II," "My Boo" and "U Should've Known Better." As a multi-talented singer, songwriter, pianist and producer, Keys possesses the innate ability to channel raw emotions into captivating songs that are both universal in sentiment and spirit. She was honored this evening for the songs: "Diary," "If I Ain't Got You," "My Boo" and "You Don't Know My Name." Keys also collected the award for Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year for "If I Ain't Got You."
A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award to Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis in recognition of their outstanding contributions as songwriters, producers and musical innovators whose artistry and humanity continue to influence and inspire the world of music. Renowned industry executive and one of the most influential African Americans in entertainment business history, Clarence Avant, joined ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento on stage to present the award.
Jam & Lewis join an elite group of legendary artists who have received the coveted ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award that includes Peabo Bryson, Earth, Wind and Fire, Rick James, and Chaka Khan.
As part of a musical tribute to Jam & Lewis, India.Arie performed the song "Eyes of the Heart" from the 2003 movie Radio, which she co-wrote with Jam & Lewis, James Horner and Jim "Big Jim" Wright. Music Director Michael Bearden led an all-star band, which featured Everette Harp, Kelly Price, and Terrell Carter performing Jam & Lewis songs.
Publisher of the Year honors were presented for the twelfth time to EMI Music Publishing for their 19 award-winning songs: "Burn," "Confessions Part II," "Diary," "I'm Still In Love With You," "I Don't Wanna Know," "If I Ain't Got You," "My Boo," "My Place," "Runnin' (Dying To Live)," "Slow Jamz," "Sorry 2004," "Splash Waterfalls," "Stand Up," "Tipsy," "U Should've Known Better," "Walked Outta Heaven," "Why?," "Yeah!," and "You Don't Know My Name." ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento presented the award to EMI Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier who was joined on stage by members of his creative team.
Sean Paul was named Top Reggae Artist of the Year, and was also honored for his award-winning song "I'm Still In Love With You" featuring Sasha.
Terror Squad's "Lean Back" written by Remy Ma and Scott Storch was named Top Rap Song of the Year. The song was also recognized in the R&B/Hip-Hop category.
Top Soundtrack Song of the Year honors went to "Runnin' (Dying To Live)" from TUPAC: RESURRECTION by Tupac featuring The Notorious B.I.G., written by Easy Mo Bee, Luis Resto, Tupac Shakur, and Notorious B.I.G. On hand to collect the award were writer Easy Mo Bee, Voletta Wallace, the mother of Notorious B.I.G., and Dina Taylor of Amaru Entertainment.
Among the songwriters with multiple award-winning songs were: Jermaine Dupri and Alicia Keys with four; La Marquis Jefferson, Ludacris, Usher and Kanye West with three each; and 50 Cent, Sean Garrett, Petey Pablo, Luis Resto, Scott Storch, Timbaland, and Twista with two each.
For the complete list of winners, go to https://www.ascap.com.
About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading Performing Rights Organization in the U.S., representing the world's largest repertory which totals over 8 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 210,000 composer, lyricist and music publisher members.
Additionally, ASCAP represents the works in the repertories of 70 affiliated foreign performing rights organizations created by many thousand affiliated international members. ASCAP is committed to protecting the rights of its members by licensing and collecting royalties for the public performance of their copyrighted works, and then distributing these fees to the Society's members based on performances. Unlike the other American Performing Rights Organizations, ASCAP's Board of Directors is made up solely of writers and publishers, elected by the membership every two years.
