About the panelists:

KC Porter - This Grammy Award-winning producer, arranger and composer has chart-topping works with such Latin superstars as Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Ana Gabriel, and the late Selena. Porter has also worked his magic with English-language stars, including Lara Fabian, Bon Jovi, Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, 98 Degrees, Brian McKnight, Toni Braxton and Boyz II Men, crossing their hits over to Spanish-speaking and international audiences. One of his latest projects was co-writing and producing Ozomatli’s latest album, Don’t Mess with the Dragon.

Rafa Sardina – Sardina, a Los Angeles based, ten-time Grammy Award-winning mixer/engineer has built an eclectic and impressive client list in the recent years: Macy Gray, Stevie Wonder, Dr Dre, Dru Hill, Jessy Moss, Mariah Carey, Luis Miguel, Sheryl Crow, Soul Coughing, Marc Antoine, Angie Stone and Alejandro Sanz, among others. He has worked with numerous high-profile artists and producers, including Dr Dre, Camara Kambon, Lulu Perez, Babyface, Scott Litt and David Foster. Most recently, Sardina has launched a production company focusing on developing new talent in his state-of-the art studio, open since 2006.

Mark Portman - This Los Angeles-based, Grammy Award-nominated producer/songwriter/musician has worked on over 130 albums, several movies and TV shows. His roster of Latin stars includes Luis Miguel, Julio Iglesias, Alejandro Sanz, Jaci Velasquez, Cristian Castro, Luis Fonsi, Olga Tanon, Pedro Fernandez, Reik, Ednita Nazario, and Los Temerarios. He has collaborated and worked with renowned producers including David Foster, Phil Ramone, Quincy Jones, Teddy Riley and Latin producer Rudy Perez. Among his other roster of superstars are Barbra Streisand, Carole King, Carole Bayer Sager, Blackstreet, Diana Ross, Christina Aguilera, Brenda Russell, Dave Koz and others.

Sebastian Krys - Based in South Florida, this multiple Grammy Award-winning producer has over 20 top ten Billboard Latin Hits, including 9 No. 1 singles and albums. Krys has worked with artists including Marc Anthony, Carlos Vives, Sandy & Junior, Shakira, Mana, JD Natasha, Jeremias, Long Beach Dub All Stars w/Black Eyed Peas, Aterciopelados, Ricky Martin, Will Smith, Obie Bermudez, Gian Marco, Luis Fonsi, Gloria Estefan, Soraya, Mandy Moore, Jennifer Lopez, and more.

Homero Patrón – This Grammy Award-winning musician, director and composer has worked with artists such as José José, Emmanuel, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Rocío Durcal, Ray Conniff, Barry White, Tom Jones, Nana Moskoury, Raphael, Nelson Ned, Juan Gabriel, Manoella Torres, Vicky Carr, Gualberto Castro, Angélica María, César Costa, Alberto Vazquez, Charles Aznavour, and Jose Luis Rodríguez “El Puma,” to name just a few. Patrón has also produced albums for such superstars as Juan Gabriel, Lucha Villa, Javier Solís, Angeles Ochoa, Ana Gabriel, Yuri, Pedro Fernandez, Vicky Carr, Olga Tañon, Vicente and Alejandro Fernández, Pepe Aguilar, Lucero, Alicia Villarreal, Pablo Montero, Ana Bárbara, Laura Flores, Nana Mouskouri and Marco Antonio Solís.

Kiko Cibrian - Multi-talented producer, musician and vocal producer who has worked with Luis Miguel, Christian Castro, and up-and-coming artists Innis, Jesse & Joy, Patricia Manterola, Souljahz, and Frankie J, Reik, along with projects such at Billboard’s Latin Series: Best of 1997, Billboard’s Latin Series: Best of Pop 1996, along with the Sinatra Duets.

Marco Flores - Flores has produced and written over 400 songs, four of which placed number one on Billboard's charts in the same year (2000), and has achieved an impressive 14 platinum albums and 22 gold albums. His roster includes works with Richard Marx, Luther Vandross, Selena, Barrio Boyzz, Donna Summer, Toni Braxton, Bonnie Raitt, Thalia, Gloria Estefan, Carlos Ponce, Jordi, Ricky Martin, Jose Feliciano, and many more.

	BMI Urban Awards Photo Slideshow
	BMI Urban Awards Song List
	Billboard No. 1s

Mariah Carey took home two of the night's top honors, including Song of the Year for her smash "We Belong Together" and Songwriter of the Year, which she shared with Miami-based producers Bigg D and Jim Jonsin. A highlight of the gala event was a special presentation to prolific songwriting and production team Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "L.A." Reid, who were named BMI Icons for their "enduring influence on generations of music makers."

Mariah Carey	Babyface	L.A. Reid

Other big winners included rapper Kanye West, who earned the Producer of the Year title for the second consecutive year; Warner/Chappell Music Group, named Urban Publisher of the Year; and Jazze Pha's "1, 2 Step," which nabbed the BMI Urban Ringtone Award. Executives from music trade magazine Billboard were also on hand to give out No. 1 Awards to the BMI songs that reached the top spot on its urban music charts.

Bigg D	Jim Jonsin

Song of the Year "We Belong Together," which Carey co-wrote, ruled the top of multiple charts for months after its release in 2005, relaunching the five-octave singer's career back into superstardom. BMI writers Darnell Bristol, Sid "Uncle Jamz" Johnson, Patrick Moten, Sandra Sully, Bobby Womack and BMI Icon Babyface were also recognized with the Urban Awards' top song prize, as were the song's publishers - ABKCO, Ballads by Design, Hip Chic Music, Mister Johnson's Jams Music, Rye Songs, Songs of Universal, Sony/ATV and Warner-Tamerlane.

Kanye West	Jazze Pha

As the best-selling female performer of the 1990s, Carey stood apart by composing all her own material, and was twice before named Songwriter of the Year (1993 and 1999). She takes the top songwriter prize for the third time this year by placing three of her own hits on the most-performed list - "Don't Forget About Us," "Shake It Off" and "We Belong Together" - all from last year's comeback release, The Emancipation of Mimi. Carey, who also wrote 1992's Pop Song of the Year, "Love Takes Time," has a total of 23 BMI Awards and 15 "Million-Air" songs that have had one million or more broadcast performances.

Sharing the Urban Songwriter of the Year spotlight were producers Bigg D and Jim Jonsin, who also had three songs on the most-played list with the co-writes "Let's Go" by Trick Daddy (featuring Lil Jon & Twista), and Pretty Ricky's "Grind With Me" and "Your Body." Formerly known as the Unusual Suspects, this Dirty South production duo has been cranking out the hits, LPs, soundtracks and re-mixes for such heavy-hitters as Trick Daddy, Pretty Ricky, Trina, Jacki-O, Cee-Lo and Pitbull since 2000.

Multiple Grammy Award-winning songwriter/producers Babyface and L.A. Reid then took the stage to accept their BMI Icon honors. As co-founders of LaFace, the record label they started in 1989, the longtime writing partners are responsible for launching the careers of such multi-platinum artists as Toni Braxton, TLC, Usher and Pink. With a vast catalog of hits recorded by such A-listers as Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, Eric Clapton, Boyz II Men, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Outkast, Dido, Ciara, Jay-Z and Songwriter of the Year Mariah Carey, songs penned by Babyface and L.A. have accumulated more than 40 million airplays on American radio and television.

In addition to his behind-the-scenes talent, Babyface has enjoyed his own success as a recording artist, with 11 albums that have produced more than 15 Top 10 hits. He has been named BMI Songwriter of the Year a record seven times (90, 91, 92, 95, 96, 97, 98), more than any other pop writer in the history of the company. They add to the more than 50 BMI Awards displayed on his trophy shelf, which now features his first Urban Award and his third Song of the Year Crystal received tonight as co-writer of "We Belong Together." His other Song of the Year awards include Toni Braxton's "Breathe Again" (1995) and Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love to You" (1996). This year's top song win ties him with the Bee Gees as writer of the most Pop Songs of the Year.

With his exceptional ability to spot and develop new talent, L.A. Reid is currently Chairman of the Island Def Jam Music Group. He also served as President & CEO of Arista Records from 2000 to 2004, and is president of his own publishing company, Hitco Music, which tonight earned a pair of BMI Urban Awards for the Chris Brown smash "Run It!" and Fantasia's No. 1 hit "Truth Is." The 18-time BMI Award-winning hitmaker, who in 1990 shared the Pop Songwriter of the Year spotlight with fellow BMI Icon Babyface, most recently guided the release of Mariah Carey's Mimi CD, the mega-selling album that spawned this year's Song of the Year.

BMI Producer of the Year honors went to Kanye West for the second year in a row for logging the most producer credits on charting songs. The BMI Top Urban Producers list also included Mr. Collipark, Pharrell Williams, Lil Jon, R. Kelly, Sean Garrett, Jazze Pha, Cool & Dre, Rodney Jerkins, and Songwriters of the Year Bigg D and Jim Jonsin.

Top producers Sean Garrett, Lil Jon and Andre "Dre" Lyon also made the list of double winners, picking up two BMI Urban Awards apiece, as did The Game and Pretty Ricky members Marcus "Pleasure" Cooper, Corey "Slick'Em" Mathis, Diamond "Baby Blue" Smith, Joseph "Blue" Smith and Spectacular Smith.

Warner/Chappell Music Group was named BMI Urban Publisher of the Year by scoring the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award songs (through its companies Unichappell Music, Inc. and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.). This is the twelfth BMI Publisher Crystal for Warner/Chappell, which boasted eight songs on the most-performed list, including Song of the Year "We Belong Together" and Ringtone Award winner "1, 2 Step."

Other publishers recognized for multiple award-winning songs were Black Boy Hatchet Music, Dade Co. Project Music, Inc., Dimensional Songs of the Knoll, EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Ensign Music LLC, Hitco Music, Jimi Mac Music/OG Music, Rye Songs, Songs of TVT, Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Universal Music Publishing (Irving Music/Songs of Universal, Inc.) and Zomba Songs.

"1, 2 Step," written by BMI Top 10 Urban Producer Jazze Pha and published by Bubba Gee Music, Noontime Tunes and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., received the BMI Urban Ringtone Award for tallying the most downloads during the award period. The Ciara hit was also named BMI's very first Internet Song of the Year at the 2006 Pop Awards.

In addition to the BMI performance awards, Billboard recognized the BMI-affiliated writers whose songs reached No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot Rap Tracks, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Hot 100 charts during the past year. Kanye West's "Gold Digger," featuring Jamie Foxx and writing credits by Renald Richard and the late Ray Charles, topped all four charts.]]> 2006-08-30T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334848 Artists, Babyface, Berry, Chuck, Boyz II Men, Braxton, Toni, Brown, James, Bryant, Del, Carey, Mariah, Clapton, Eric, Diddley, Bo, Gap Band, The, Green, Al, Hayes, Isaac, Jackson, Michael, Little Richard, Reid, Antonio 'LA', Usher1, Musical Styles, Urban "Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "L.A." Reid will be honored as BMI Icons at the performing right organization's 6th Annual Urban Awards. The invitation-only gala, which will also recognize the past year's most performed BMI urban songs, is set for Aug. 30 at Roseland Ballroom in New York City, coinciding with the MTV Video Music Awards being held Aug. 31.

Babyface	L.A. Reid

The Icon designation is given to BMI songwriters and artists who have had "a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." The LaFace Records co-founders, who will be saluted with an all-star musical tribute during the ceremony, join an elite group that includes James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Al Green, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, and last year's honorees, the Gap Band.

With more than a dozen Grammys between them, including the Producer of the Year crown they shared in 1993, seven-time BMI Songwriter of the Year Babyface and Island Def Jam Chairman L.A. Reid are responsible for launching the careers of such multi-platinum artists as Toni Braxton, TLC, Usher and Pink under their successful LaFace label. The list of stars that the hitmaking pair has worked with - both together and individually - is unparalleled and includes Mariah Carey, Madonna, Celine Dion, Eric Clapton, Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, Dido, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Outkast, Ciara, Jay-Z, and countless others.

Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Atlanta Writer/Publisher VP Catherine Brewton, the 6th Annual BMI Urban Awards will recognize the songwriters, publishers and producers of the top BMI urban songs played on American radio and television. An Urban Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year and Producer of the Year will be named during the ceremony. In addition, the writers of the songs that reached the No. 1 spots on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop and Hot Rap Tracks charts will also be honored.

That 2003 was an incredible ride for the multi-talented performer is an understatement — so much so that only Kelly could have closed that awards show with a flamboyant performance that had him riding down the aisle in a horse-drawn chariot!

Last year also marked the third consecutive time (2001, 2002, 2003) he received Top 10 Producer honors at the prestigious BMI Urban Awards. And in 2002, he was one of six to earn recognition as Songwriter of the Year. These days, it’s hard to identify a songwriter who also garners consistent acclaim as a No. 1 producer and multi-platinum recording artist.

That is the magic of R. Kelly.

Weaving steamy, ear-searing lyrics with dynamically sculpted production, his 2003 set, Chocolate Factory, blistered the charts, achieving multi-platinum status. During an era when one-hit-and-out tends to be the norm, Kelly’s body of work marks him as one of today’s most prolific artists.

As brilliant in front of the mike as behind a soundboard, Kelly has taken the deceptively difficult concept of writing “sexy” versus “sexually,” and parlayed it into an exceptional songwriting and performing career. His songwriting skills and production expertise are not restricted to the six solo albums he’s recorded.

Over the years, he’s gained equal acclaim as a writer, producer, and mixer for a cavalcade of fellow artists. His early work remixing “Anytime, Anyplace” by Janet Jackson helped it reach No. 1 laurels, as did his work on Michael Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone.”

Other standout work included writing and producing “When You Call My Name,” by soul crooner Luther Vandross, “G.H.E.T.T.O.U.T.” for r&b act Changing Faces, and Toni Braxton’s “I Don’t Want To.” Additional credits on high-profile projects by Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, the Notorious B.I.G., Gladys Knight and Kirk Franklin cemented Kelly’s status.

The array of artists with whom he’s collaborated only hints at the creative diversity of which Kelly is capable. He became an international sensation when he wrote, produced and performed “I Believe I Can Fly,” the gospel-inspired anthem from the animated film Space Jam , which featured the voice of former NBA superstar Michael Jordan. In addition to going No. 1 on an array of international charts, “I Believe I Can Fly” soared at the 1998 Grammys, bringing Kelly Best R&B Song and Best R&B Male Vocal Performance honors

It was a defining moment for Kelly, who at the time described it as his greatest achievement, because it mattered most not just to him but to the world through the boundless possibilities it evoked.

It’s a safe bet that more defining creative moments are sure to come.

All of these releases come on the coattails of the platinum-plus CD from the label’s co-CEO, Bryan “Baby” Williams. His debut solo release, Birdman, was released in November of 2002 and has generated three top 10 hip-hop/r&b singles. Baby’s videos have remained in heavy rotation and feature various superstar guest spots, including P. Diddy on the first single, “Do That”; The Clipse on the follow-up, “Whatever Happened To That Boy”; and Toni Braxton on the SOS Band-inspired rendition of “Baby We Can Do It.”

Cash Money was founded in 1991 by brothers Ronald “Slim” Williams and Bryan “Baby” Williams. Natives of the New Orleans area, the pair inked a much-publicized multi-million dollar deal with Universal Records in 1997 and have sold more than ten million albums from its relatively tight clique of artists, which also includes titles from B.G., the Hot Boys, and Mack 10.

At the core of the company’s success is the label’s resident producer, Mannie Fresh, who has placed his signature sound on nearly all of Cash Money’s hits.

Cash Money has more recently diversified its business interests. Earlier this year, the label teamed up with urban fashion mogul Karl Kani to design a new line of street-wear called “Life.”

So, to any of the non-believers, who thought that Cash Money, like so many hip-hop camps, was going to be a flash in the pan -- think again, because Cash Money has positioned itself for long-term success.]]> 2003-07-01T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/events/entry/532834 Bettis, Paisley, Big Tymers, Bishop, Teddy, Brandy, Braxton, Toni, Dobson, Dobson, Abby, Evans, Faith, Goodie Mob, Jackson, Michael, Jazze Pha, Jerkins, Rodney, Jones, Daron, Jonz, Lewis, Christopher, Lil Scrappy, Lopez, Jennifer, Major Keyz, Ms. Flawless, Neptunes, The, Pink, Rockwilder, Temptations, The, Teradac, Wade, Rico, R&B, Singer-Songwriter, Urban, Atlanta, Showcase, Showcase Templated Teredac

Christopher Lewis

Abby Dobson

Jonz

MaJoR KEyZ

With a performance by special guests and Universal recording artists Big Tymers. Superproducer Manny Fresh and Cash Money co-CEO Bryan “Baby” Williams mix their free-wheeling lyrical improvisation, larger-than-life personas and Freshís superb production, incorporating live instrumentation inspired by 70ís old school R&B, a touch of New Orleans bounce and classic hip hop. Come see why their single “ Still Fly “is moving up the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks.

The showcase winner will be determined by a distinguished panel of industry standouts, including:

Rodney Jerkins, two-time Grammy-award winning producer (Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, N’Sync & Brandy)

Shakir Stewart, Senior VP & GM Hitco Music (BeyoncÈ Knowles of Destiny’s Child)

Shante Paige, VP of A&R Motown Records (Profyle, Rasheeda, the Temptations)

Tse Williams, VP of A&R Universal Records (3LW, Joe)

Toi Green, Director of A&R Jive Records (Mystikal, The Wood Soundtrack)

J-Que, Winner BMI New Music Urban Showcase 2001 and Hitco Music songwriter

Frank Ski, Program Director at V103/Atlanta

Kamala Gordon, Director of Publishing Warner Chapell (Rockwilder, Faith Evans)

Leotis Clyburn, Director of Creative Development Ground Control Music (Tyrice Jones, Jerel Allen and Terry Harris of 7 Productions)

Teddy Bishop, CEO of Grove Factor Production, songwriter, composer, and producer (Toni Braxton, Montell Jordan, Jagged Edge)

Brian Jackson, Senior Vice President, Creative A&R EMI Music Publishing (Rodney Jerkins, The Neptunes, Jerry Duplessis, Pink)

Rico Wade, three-time Grammy-nominated producer (TLC, Outkast, Goodie Mob & The Dungeon Family

Directions to Celebrity Rock Café, 56 East Andrews

From Airport/Downtown/Midtown

Take I-75/I-85 north. When the interstate splits remain on I-75 North. Take the W Paces Ferry Rd exit. Turn right onto W Paces Ferry Rd. Remain on W Paces Ferry Rd for approximately 3 miles. Turn left on E Andrews Dr. Celebrity Rock CafÈ will be on the right side of the road.

From Lenox Mall/Buckhead

Take Peachtree Rd south (towards downtown). Make a right onto W Paces Ferry Rd. At the second stop light, E Andrews Dr., turn right. Celebrity Rock Café will be on the right side of the road.

By Rob Patterson

From the dawning days of rhythm & blues through today's multifaceted urban music scene, BMI has been at the forefront of music from the African American tradition, styles and community. A continuity of teamwork between BMI and Black music-makers extends from Aretha Franklin to Janet Jackson, from Motown hitmakers Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier & Brian Holland to R. Kelly, and from Miles Davis to Terence Blanchard.

B.B. King

Busta Rhymes

Janet Jackson

Eminem

When r&b, in its formative years, was the province of budding independent labels, small publishers, and adventurous radio stations, BMI opened its ranks to the musical movement when the existing performing rights organization failed to recognize the legitimacy and potential brewing in Black American music. The considerable fact that 90 percent of the R&B Foundation's Pioneer Awards have been bestowed on BMI artists attests to BMI's historical commitment to Black music.

Eric Benet

Macy Gray

Mariah Carey

Michael Jackson

The BMI Black music rosters reads like a musical honor role: Jazz giants such as Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Dinah Washington and John Coltrane; blues icons like Leadbelly, Muddy Waters, B.B. King and T-Bone Walker; r&b pacesetters such as Ray Charles, Fats Domino and James Brown; soul sisters Etta James, Irma Thomas and Diana Ross; rock pioneers like Chuck Berry and Little Richard.

Mya

R. Kelly

Snoop Dogg

Toni Braxton

The BMI bloodlines can be traced from then to now, from Carla Thomas to Donna Summer to Vanessa Williams, from Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff to LA Reid and Babyface, from Otis Redding to Michael Jackson. And if you check this space 20 or 30 years from now, the odds say its likely that BMI's contemporary urban music artists will be just as legendary and influential as those BMI has represented throughout the history of Black popular music in America.

In a sense, the pages have already been written by today's BMI star talents. Mariah Carey has proven herself a formidable and enduring presence in popular music, while Macy Gray is arising to help bring soul back to its rightful place of presence in urban music. Kevin Eubanks delivers sublime new variations of the jazz guitar heritage to millions on The Tonight Show, and Joshua Redman redefines the notion of young jazz giant for a new millennium. Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Lil' Kim continue to push the hip-hop envelope, while Kirk Franklin and Winans Phase 2 keep the gospel spirit alive.

But it's not just the marquee names that make these exciting times for BMI's urban music roster. And even some of BMI's team whose work happens primarily behind the scenes are earning public note on the level of the artists they work with. Producer, songwriter, keyboardist and remixer Dallas Austin launched Monica and TLC, and counts Michael Jackson, Madonna, Boyz II Men and Aretha Franklin among his credits. Such musical versatility and vision continues with such recording and writing powerhouses as Jerry 'Wonder' Duplessis, Master P, Tim & Bob, SoulShock & Karlin, Jean Claude 'Poke' Olivier of The Track Masters, Organized Noise, Teddy Bishop and Cory Rooney - all drawing from a differing wealth of musical wells and creating new and innovative musical moments.

Hip-hop remains a powerfully progressive and sometimes provocative movement in modern popular music. Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes and Goodie Mob keep it real, and the beats and themes will surely remain hard in the hands of such acts as Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz, Ja Rule, Mos Def, Trick Daddy, Silkk the Shocker, JT Money, Kurupt and J-Shin. At the same time, acts like The Roots, Black Eyed Peas, Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek and Spooks infuse a rich mixture of styles into the hip-hop genre. Once the sound of the street, just as r&b had been, hip-hop is now an integral part of contemporary culture. And its Caribbean cousin dancehall is also claiming the attention of the public ear thanks to Buju Banton.

R&B has always boasted its powerful cadre of female singers. And just as Carla Thomas, Martha Reeves and Jodi Whatley established their voices as trademarks, so have the women like Brandy, Toni Braxton and Faith Evans. Rising to join them are such soul sisters as Angie Stone, Mya, Sunshine Anderson and Aaliyah, while R&B brothers such as Eric Benet and Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes stir up new soul traditions for today's urban music fans as Clyde McPhatter, Sam Moore and Aaron Neville have before them. The girl group traditions forged by The Shirelles and The Supremes find modern expression in the "new jill flava" of Total.

As the recent Ken Burns documentary demonstrated, jazz is one of the richest skeins in the American cultural tapestry. BMI has been a consistent presence in jazz, from Lionel Hampton to Coleman Hawkins to Herbie Hancock to Roy Hargrove. Today, Terence Blanchard, Christian McBride, Kevin Eubanks and Bilal maintain the instrumental and compositional greatness of jazz music for the genre's future.

Spirituals have always been an essential element in Black music and BMI's mission, thanks to everyone from James Ingram to The Fairfield Four. And perhaps nobody has had a more profound impact on contemporary music and the popularity of spiritual sounds than minister, songwriter, producer and visionary Kirk Franklin. In the past, one could make similar claims for The Winans, and the family tradition forged there is carried on by Winans Phase 2. The ears reached by these artists are now opening as well to such rising talents as Yolanda Adams and Trin-i-tee 5:7.

Such diversity, commercial impact, innovation and encouragement of burgeoning styles and new artists has been a hallmark of BMI's commitment to Black music from the time that "race music" became rhythm & blues, and on through soul, funk and disco right up to rap and new jack swing. As BMI salutes tradition through its longtime support of the R&B Foundation, it also helps create the future that is urban music in all its breadth and creativity. Because at BMI, Black Music Month is celebrated 12 months a year.

Gifted with an evocative voice, Babyface nonetheless had to sculpt a production style for himself that started with the understanding that his tenor is light. Working to his strengths, he developed a unique production style that featured spare percussion parts, uncluttered keyboards, crisp guitar hooks, and lush background vocal pads. Against this texture, Edmonds's voice stands out on such instant classics as "When Can I See You Again" and "Never Keeping Secrets."

His openness to the talents of others has led Babyface to some extraordinary partnerships. With L.A Reid, he has produced a number of successful albums. The pair's first hit single was the Whispers' beat-box driven "Rock Steady," and hits by Sheena Easton ("The Lover In Me") and Bobby Brown ("Don't Be Cruel," "Every Little Step") followed in short order. Their work for soul diva Whitney Houston yielded the phenomenally successful "I'm Your Baby Tonight."

Babyface has also brought a deft touch to the business side of the music industry. In 1989, at the ripe age of 30, he and LA Reid co-founded LaFace Records. Headquartered in Atlanta, the label (a subsidiary of Arista Records) launched the careers of Toni Braxton and TLC.

Not content to simply enjoy the fruits of his gifts, Babyface has recently joined lyricist Carole Bayer Sager and producer/composer David Foster in an online attempt to give back some good fortune to the artistic community. Website Tonos.com is dedicated to seeking out and giving a forum to talented musicians and artists around the world.

In 1992, Babyface's skills as writer and producer came together in the Boyz II Men smash single "End Of The Road, which remained at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for 13 weeks. Edmonds and Reid would ride the success of this track to win Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Producer of the Year.

But Babyface and Boyz II Men weren't finished piling on the hit records. "I'll Make Love To You," written and produced by Edmonds, garnered the 1995 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, as well as Song of the Year at the BMI Pop Awards. He has won the BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year trophy seven times, adding to his total of 51 BMI Awards, which includes Song of the Year kudos for his Toni Braxton hit, "Breathe Again," in 1994.

After turning his production talents on other artists, it was time for Babyface to revive his own performing and recording career. When production was completed on the soundtrack to Waiting To Exhale, He went to work on The Day, his next solo album for Epic. This double-platinum album would eventually yield a pair of hit singles: the platinum hit "This Is For The Lover In You," and "Every Time I Close My Eyes," which featured background vocals by Mariah Carey and Kenny G on sax.

Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds has achieved success by molding a composing and producing style that works for him, and then placing other performing artists in the spotlight and tailoring his skills to highlight their talent.

When he was seven years old, Porter's parents moved his family from Encino, California to Guatemala to spread the teachings of the Bahai' movement. There, K.C. picked up the harmonies and culture of the Latin world, melding the native sounds and rhythms of Guatemala with the sights and sounds he remembered from the States. It fostered in him the seeds of creativity that would later help him guide a host of artists, including Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, Bon Jovi and the late Selena, to new heights of popularity in the Latin/Anglo crossover market.

His family eventually ended up in Mexico, but by the age of 17, K.C. Porter sensed that it was time for him to return to the States. "I knew I had to return to the States to get my education," says Porter, who attended Cal State Stanislaus. Precociously talented, Porter landed a staff arranger job at A&M Studios prior to graduating from college. His bi-lingual background and familiarity with Latin culture led him naturally to producing and writing for this market. During these early years, Porter worked with a number of Latin artists, including Lani Hall, Luis Angel and Maria Conchita Alonso.

While working with these performers, Porter was also developing his own sound. Smooth and peaceful, Porter also brings a contemporary edge to his productions, which helps to explain how he can take a traditional artist like Carlos Santana and tailor a production that retains its authenticity but is successful in attracting a youthful audience.

In 1995, Porter teamed up with Ricky Martin. He produced A Medio Vivir, the singer's third album, and also co-wrote "Maria," the hit single from that album. The two would work on Martin's follow-up album, Vuelva, as well as the breakout number one album Ricky Martin.

His work in the late '90s earned Porter a handful of Grammy Awards and nominations, but the Album of the Year Grammy he landed for his contribution to Supernatural was clearly a highpoint. He began writing with Santana in 1997, and of the four tracks he produced for the album, two ("Corazon Espinado" and "Migra") were born in these writing sessions.

With the success of Supernatural, a promising career has been kicked into a higher gear. Porter now has the luxury of sifting through job offers from a bevy of high-profile artists. It is however, his work with the Oneness project that brings this gifted artist full circle. This organization's goal centers on the theme of racial unity, and artists who are joining to produce an album for the Oneness organization include Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin, Brian McKnight, Chaka Khan, Montell Jordan and Porter himself.