Mariah Carey	The Game	T.I.

Carey's four wins included Artist of the Year, R&B Voice of the Year, Best R&B Song for "We Belong Together" and Album of the Year for her comeback hit, The Emancipation of Mimi. She is also up for four American Music Awards, set for November 22 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

The night's first V trophy went to "Hate It or Love It" by The Game (featuring 50 Cent) for Hottest Hook, while hard-core rapper T.I. took home the Street Anthem award for his hit "U Don't Know Me."

Man of the hour Kanye West was named Best Rapper and newcomer Young Jeezy tied for the Next Award.

Kanye West	Cam'ron

Rap artist Cam'ron and his Harlem crew the Diplomats picked up a Vibe Award for Best Group. The Reelest Video nod went to R. Kelly for his dramatic saga "Trapped in the Closet" (Chapters 1-5).

Marred last year by violence, this year's show went on without a hitch with co-hosts Tracee Ellis Ross from the sitcom Girlfriends and Anthony Anderson from the movie Hustle & Flow.

R. Kelly	Young Jeezy

The 3rd Annual Vibe Awards will air on UPN on Tuesday, November 15 at 8pm ET/PT.]]> 2005-11-14T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234056 Martin, Ricky, 3 Doors Down, Aguilera, Christina, Anderson, Bill, Arnold, Brad, Audioslave, Bedingfield, Daniel, Berry, Chuck, Big Tymers, Bowie, David, Branch, Michelle, Brown, James, Cam'ron, Carlton, Vanessa, Christy, Lauren, Christy, Lauren, Creed, Crow, Sheryl, Diddley, Bo, Dilemma, Dixie Chicks, Edwards, Graham, Eminem, Evanescence, Foo Fighters, Fountains of Wayne, Game, The, Grohl, Dave, Hayes, Isaac, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Horowitz, Andrew, Ja Rule, Kelly, R., Kid Rock, Lennon, John, Linkin Park, Little Richard, Lopez, Jennifer, Matrix, The, Nicks, Stevie, Ono, Yoko, Parton, Dolly, Queens of the Stone Age, Roberts, Matt, Spock, Scott, Twain, Shania, Uncle Kracker, Williams, Pharrell, Wilshire, Wilson, Brian, Country, Pop, Rock, Foundation, Feature, BMI Pop Awards The Game of Love" as Song of the Year, Lauren Christy and Scott Spock as Songwriters of the Year and Warner/Chappell Music Group as Publisher of the Year. Frances W. Preston, President & CEO, and Barbara Cane, Vice President & General Manager, Writer/Publisher Relations, Los Angeles, presented BMI Citations of Achievement during the dinner event honoring the writers and publishers of the top 50 songs. A highlight of the gala, staged at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, was a tribute to artist/writer/producer Brian Wilson, named a BMI Icon.

"The Game of Love" earned the BMI Pop Song of the Year Crystal for songwriter Gregg Alexander and his publishing company Keepin' It Real How 'Bout You Music Publishing; this distinction is given to the song tallying the most feature broadcast performances during the eligibility period. Recorded by Santana featuring Michelle Branch, "The Game of Love" was a #1 single from Santana's Arista album Shaman and has already been certified as a BMI Million-Air (one million broadcast performances). Multi-instrumentalist and producer Alexander won a Pop Award in 1999 for "You Get What You Give," a hit for his former group, the New Radicals. Alexander co-wrote "The Game of Love" with Rick Nowels (share not licensed by BMI).

Brian Wilson	Gregg Alexander	The Matrix

Lauren Christy and Scott Spock contributed three to the Most Performed List of 50 to share the BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year crown. The songs earning Christy and Spock the title were "Complicated" and "I'm With You," both #1 singles for Avril Lavigne, and "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)," recorded by Jason Mraz. Christy and Spock, along with Graham Edwards (PRS), are also known professionally as songwriting/production team The Matrix. Other artists for whom they have written songs are Christina Aguilera, David Bowie, Ricky Martin, Ronan Keating, Liz Phair and Hootie & the Blowfish.

With 11 songs represented, Warner/Chappell Music Group (through its companies Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. and Unichappell Music, Inc.) claimed the BMI Pop Publisher of the Year prize. Les Bider, Chairman & CEO of Warner/Chappell Music Group, accepted the crystal obelisk. The Publisher of the Year accolade is given to the publishing concern with the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award songs. Warner/Chappell's top performing tunes were "Are You Happy Now?," "Crazy In Love," "Complicated," "Dilemma," "I'm With You," "In A Little While," "Mesmerize," "Miss You," "Picture," "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" and "Soak Up The Sun."

Brian Wilson was saluted as a BMI Icon for his "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." One of the most revered pop music creators of the last 50 years, Wilson co-founded the Beach Boys and co-wrote such seminal rock and pop songs as "Good Vibrations," "I Get Around," "God Only Knows," "California Girls," "Help Me, Rhonda" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice," among many others. Collectively with the Beach Boys and individually, he helped to create the sound that defined a generation and painted the picture of the West Coast "surf" sound. His genius is embedded throughout the group's history, but it particularly resonates on their legendary 1966 release, Pet Sounds.

After an Icon video tribute, Fountains of Wayne performed "Be True To Your School," followed by Wilson Phillips - featuring Wilson's daughters Carnie and Wendy - singing "In My Room." Wilson and his band took the stage for several songs, closing with "Good Vibrations."

Wilson enters the elite company of previously praised BMI Icons including Isaac Hayes, Bill Anderson, James Brown, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Dolly Parton, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Bo Diddley . He is also the first person to be honored by BMI as both an Icon and with the President's Award (in 1995).

Of the 80 songwriters cited, nine were double winners: Sheryl Crow, R. Kelly, Jennifer Lopez, Shania Twain, N.E.R.D.'s Pharrell Williams, Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett, and matchbox twenty's Rob Thomas.

Other writer/artists earning awards were Audioslave, Daniel Bedingfield (PRS), Big Tymers, Michelle Branch, Cam'Ron, Vanessa Carlton, Creed, Eminem, Evanescence, Ja Rule, Kid Rock, Linkin Park, Queens of the Stone Age, Red Hot Chili Peppers, 3 Doors Down, Uncle Kracker, and Unwritten Law.

Publishers garnering three or more awards were EMI Music Publishing (EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc./EMI-Unart Catalog, Inc./EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc.); Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc./Zomba Songs Inc.; Universal Music Publishing Group; Dwight Frye Music, Inc.; Mr. Spock Music/Scott Spock Songs; Rainbow Fish Publishing (Christy's company) and Sony/ATV Songs LLC.

"When I'm Gone" by 3 Doors Down enjoyed Most Performed Song on College Radio kudos for songwriters Brad Arnold, Todd Harrell, Chris Henderson and Matt Roberts of the group. Included on 3 Doors Down's Republic/Universal CD Away From the Sun, "When I'm Gone" is published by Escatawpa Songs and Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.

Another special presentation was the announcement of Andrew Horowitz as the 1st Place winner of the 2004 John Lennon Scholarship Awards. A student at the University of Michigan, Horowitz earned a $10,000 scholarship for his song, "Goodday." Established in 1997 by Yoko Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation, the John Lennon Scholarship Awards recognize the talent of young songwriters between the ages of 15 and 24. More than $125,000 has been awarded over the last seven years through generous donations from Ono and Gibson Musical Instruments. The BMI Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to encouraging the creation, performance and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants.

Five of the 2004 top Pop songs are repeat achievers: "Heaven," first honored in 1985 for writer/artist Bryan Adams; "Landslide," a 1998 Pop Award winner for Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks and the 2003 BMI Country Song of the Year via its recording by the Dixie Chicks; plus last year's winners "Complicated," "One Last Breath" and "Soak Up The Sun."

BMI's Citation of Achievement performance certificates are given annually in recognition of popularity in the field of popular music, as measured by feature broadcast performances on American radio and television. This year's Pop Awards eligibility period ran October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003.

Evanescence

The White Stripes

Rock band Evanescence also topped this year's list, picking up five nominations including Best New Artist and Best Rock Album for their multi-platinum breakthrough release, Fallen. Other five-time nominees were rapper Eminem and the late Warren Zevon. Also receiving multiple nods were Willie Nelson, Jack White of The White Stripes (three with his band and one individual), and classical composer Jose Serebrier with four each and Christina Aguilera with three, including Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her smash hit, "Beautiful."

Willie Nelson

Eminem

Warren Zevon

The 46th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2004, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on CBS from 8-11:30 p.m. on the East and West Coasts.

BMI's Grammy Nominees

SIX NOMINATIONS
Pharrell Williams

FIVE NOMINATIONS
Eminem
Evanescence
Chad Hugo
Warren Zevon

FOUR NOMINATIONS
Willie Nelson
José Serebrier
The White Stripes

THREE NOMINATIONS
Christina Aguilera
Jeff Bass
Michael Brecker
Chick Corea
Anthony Hamilton
Alison Krauss
Lil' Kim
Shania Twain

TWO NOMINATIONS
Audioslave
Black Eyed Peas
Jorge Calderón
Ry Cooder
Foo Fighters
Fountains of Wayne
Aretha Franklin
Rich Harrison
Heather Headley
Bishop T.D. Jakes
Toby Keith
R. Kelly
k.d. lang (SOCAN)
The Matrix
Martina McBride
Aaron Neville
Nickelback (SOCAN)
Pink
Neal Pogue
Earl Scruggs
Wayne Shorter
Snoop Dogg
Sting (PRS)
Union Station
Doc Watson
will.i.am
John Williams
Lucinda Williams

ONE NOMINATION
Mirwais Ahmadzaï
Akwid
Allman Brothers Band
Audio Adrenaline
Marcia Ball
Luther Barnes & the Sunset Jubilaires
Buju Banton (PRS)
Mark Batson
Steve Berkowitz
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones
Carla Bley Big Band
Blind Boys of Alabama
Blue Highway
Michelle Branch
Randy Brecker
Brooks & Dunn
David Bowie (PRS)
Joe Budden
Jimmy Buffett
Martin Buttrich (GEMA)
Café Tacuba
Michel Camilo
Cam'Ron
Caribbean Jazz Project
Rosanne Cash
Stanley Clarke
Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater
The Crabb Family
The Crusaders
Sam Cooke
Adrian Cosentini
Diamond Rio
Ani DiFranco
Reggie Dozier
Jimmy Douglass
Eagles
Fred Ebb
Kurt Elling
Scotty Emerick
The Flaming Lips
Floetry
Bill Frisell
Kenny G
Vince Gill
Gorillaz (PRS)
Percy Gray, Jr.
Buddy Guy
Eddie Gonzalez
Jimmy Gonzalez y El Grupo Mazz
Pat Green
Stephan Haeri
William Hamilton
Roy Hargrove
Faith Hill
Dave Holland Quintet
Eric Idle (PRS)
India
Intocable
Jane's Addiction
Etta James
Keith Jarrett
Jars of Clay
Norah Jones
The Jordanaires
John Kander
Peter Kater
John P. Kee
Garrison Keillor
Kitaro (JASRAC)
Korn
Dave Koz
Nathaniel Kunkel
Patti LaBelle
Amel Larrieux
Glenn Lewis
Mark Levine
Linkin Park
The Light Crust Doughboys
Lonestar
Irving Lorenzo
Patty Loveless
Luis Miguel
Timo Maas (GEMA)
Marilyn Manson
Masters at Work
Donnie McClurkin
Del McCoury Band
Tim McGraw
Sarah McLachlan (SOCAN)
Jim McNeely
Joel McNeely
Pat Metheny
Bette Midler
Ismael Miranda
Molotov
Joel Moss
Newsboys
Bob Norberg
Les Nubians (SACEM)
The Oak Ridge Boys
Walter Ostanek (SOCAN)
Joe Pace
Dolly Parton
Nicholas Payton
Ray Price
Queens of the Stone Age
Eugene Record
Relient K
Don Rollins
Roomful of Blues
The Roots
Scott Rouse
David Sanborn
Pete Seeger
The Sensational Nightingales
Thomas Z. Shepard
Brian Setzer Orchestra
Sean Smith
Luciana Souza
Los Straitjackets
Micheal Strange, Jr.
Jimmy Sturr
Howard Tate
Susan Tedeschi
Télépopmusik (SACEM)
Jacky Terrasson
Los Tigres Del Norte
Los Tucanes De Tijuana
Caetano Veloso
Rhonda Vincent
Redd Volkaert
Muddy Waters
Charlie Wilson
Gerald Wilson Orchestra
Kim Wilson
Vickie Winans
George Winston
Wayne Wonder
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Yerba Buena
Maury Yeston
Yellowjackets

With three albums to his credit and a fourth due later this year, the artist has combined rapping and writing to establish himself as a significant creative influence in the business. In recognition of his songwriting success, he was honored at BMI's 2002 Urban Awards.

But that was last year. This year, he's again in high gear with his own label. "We got the Diplomat label poppin' off, with my man Juelz Santana, the first artist on that," says Cam'ron.

By formulating relevant (and often autobiographical) lyrics to drive his infectious music, this versatile hip-hopper has earned the respect of his peers and acquired a following among record buyers. "One of the things that makes [me] different is that I can be hardcore one minute, slick and laid-back the next," explains the Harlem-born performer. "I'm trying to set trends, not follow them."

"Oh Boy Just Blaze," perhaps his most memorable song, was a Top 5 hit on last summer's Billboard Hot 100 and topped the magazine's R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Its infectious hook and scintillating lyrics are a testament to an artist whose charismatic charm ranks second only to his fervent desire to write quality material for the masses.

Confessions of Fire, Cam'ron's 1998 debut album, jump-started his musical career when it rose to No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold by the RIAA. Then, of course, the crew he rolled with didn't hurt either.

Cam'ron played basketball in high school where he excelled as a point guard. One of his teammates was rapper Mase. The two joined forces off the court as rap duo Killa Cam & Murder Mase, garnering a measure of underground hip-hop success. But it wasn't until Mase introduced Cam'ron to the late Notorious B.I.G. that things began heating up.

"He had all sorts of tracks around his apartment," Cam'ron recalls. "He flipped on about 12 or 13 beats, and I flowed to every one of them."

The encounter led to a second important introduction, to B.I.G.'s Untertainment label partner Lance Rivera, who signed Cam'ron. Like most developing acts, Cam'ron found himself collaborating on several soundtrack cuts. But in addition to writing songs for his then-soon-to-come solo debut, he also was penning tracks for other artists – not the least of whom was Lil' Kim, whose "Crush On You" that he authored was certified Platinum.

"Back then, I was just showing everybody that I'm multi-talented and that I can flip any style," he says.

Cam'ron's future appears bright. In addition to his upcoming album, Purple Haze, the rapper continues to promote his own label and the artists on it. "With me, what comes along comes along. I just want Juelz and The Diplomat's album to do well, and then lookout for my new album."]]> 2003-08-26T19:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233797 Baltimore, Charli, Big Tymers, Bilal, Bryant, Del, Busta Rhymes, Cam'ron, Dilemma, Eminem, Fat Joe, Floetry, Gotti, Irv, Hamilton, Anthony, Hayes, Isaac, Hugo, Chad, Ja Rule, Jazze Pha, Kelly, R., Neptunes, The, Rooney, Rooney, Cory, Snoop Dogg, Williams, Pharrell, Winans, Mario, Dance, Pop, R&B, Rock, Urban, BMI Urban Awards Isaac Hayes Honored as BMI ICON

BMI saluted the top R&B, rap and hip-hop songwriters, producers and publishers at its 2003 Urban Awards, staged last night (8/5) at Club Tropigala at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resorts & Towers in Miami. The black-tie ceremony was hosted by BMI President and CEO Frances W. Preston, with Executive Vice President Del Bryant and Assistant Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton. Top honors went to Murder Inc. President Irv Gotti, who earned his second Urban Songwriter of the Year award; the #1 smash "Hot in Herre" was named Song of the Year, and EMI Music Publishing took home its third consecutive Urban Publisher of the Year trophy. Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo from famed production duo, The Neptunes, were named BMI Urban Producers of the Year.

BMI Urban Awards Event Photos

BMI Urban Awards Song List

Irv Gotti

Pharrell Williams

Chad Hugo

A special highlight of the gala evening featured a salute to soul music legend Isaac Hayes, who was honored as a BMI ICON for his enduring influence on generations of music makers. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was honored during the dinner with an all-star musical tribute that featured stellar performances by BMI artists Bilal, Floetry, and Anthony Hamilton, among others. From the instantly recognizable beats of the "Theme From Shaft," to the Sam and Dave classic hit "Hold On! I'm Comin'," the Oscar and Grammy Award-winning composer and singer continues to impact music and is widely sampled by some of today's biggest rap, hip-hop, and R&B artists.

Isaac Hayes

Bilal

Floetry

The BMI Urban Songwriter of the Year trophy went to rap mogul Irv Gotti, who placed nine titles on the most performed list. Songs earning him the crown included the Ja Rule hits "Always On Time" (feat. Ashanti), "Down 4 U" (feat. Vita, Ashanti, and Charli Baltimore), "Down A** Chick" (feat. Charli Baltimore) and "Livin' It Up" (feat. Case), as well as "Rainy Dayz" (Mary J. Blige feat. Ja Rule), "What's Luv?" (Fat Joe feat. Ja Rule and Ashanti), and "Baby," "Foolish," and "Happy," all recorded by Murder Inc. artist Ashanti. This is the second Urban Songwriter of the Year award for Gotti; he shared the spotlight last year with five others. Gotti was also named BMI's Pop Songwriter of the Year at the May 14 ceremony in Los Angeles, bringing his total BMI Awards to 19.

Anthony Hamilton

Ja Rule

Charli Baltimore

In addition to Gotti, several other writers earned multiple awards including Ja Rule with six; Pharrell Williams with four; and Charli Baltimore, Jeff I. Bass, Cam'Ron, Eminem and Mario Winans, who each placed two songs on the most performed list.

Song of the Year "Hot in Herre," co-written by BMI songwriters Charles L. Brown and Pharrell Williams, and published by Ascent Music, Inc., EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Nouveau Music Company, Swing T Publishing and Waters of Nazareth Publishing, spent seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The infectious number one hit was last summer's party anthem and is still heating up at radio and on the dance floor as well.

Jeff I. Bass

Cam'Ron

Eminem

Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, better known as The Neptunes, were feted as Producers of the Year with a performance from multi-platinum artist (and fellow Top 10 Songwriter/Producer) R. Kelly. The hit-making production and songwriting team has collaborated with the A-list in urban music, from Snoop Dogg to Busta Rhymes to Justin Timberlake, with titles including "Beautiful," "Pass the Courvoisier Part II," and "Rock Your Body." Rounding out the BMI Top 10 Urban Producers list were Songwriter of the Year Irv Gotti, rapper Eminem, Big Tymers' Mannie Fresh, Cash Money's Jazze Pha, Trackmasters' Poke, producer Cory Rooney and Hitmen Production's Mario Winans.

Mario Winans

Charles L. Brown

R. Kelly

EMI Music Publishing picked up its third consecutive Urban Publisher of the Year award by placing 11 songs on the most performed list, including Song of the Year, "Hot in Herre." This is the thirteenth top BMI Publisher honor awarded to EMI since 1989 in all genres of music. Other multiple award-winning publishers included Ensign Music Corporation (10), D J Irv Publishing (9), Universal Music Publishing (8), Slavery Music (6), Waters of Nazareth Publishing (4), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (3), and Careers-BMG Music/Zomba Songs, Eight Mile Style Music, Inky Sisi Music, Janice Combs Music, Killa Cam Music, Marsky Music, Songs of DreamWorks, SPZ Music, Inc., and Taking Care of Business Music (2).

In addition to the song, publisher and producer awards, music trade magazine Billboard announced the names of the BMI-affiliated writers who had #1 songs on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Rap Tracks charts during the past year. Among the winners were Producer of the Year Pharrell Williams, who placed two songs on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, and the #1 hit "Dilemma," which reached the peak position on both Billboardcharts. The BMI Urban Awards 2003 is the kick-off event to the 4th Annual Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Conference and Awards, taking place in Miami Beach August 6-8.

Born and raised in Harlem, New York, Cameron Giles, a/k/a “Cam'ron,” “Killah Cam” or just plain “Cam,” has made a comeback on the streets and the charts with his third album, Come Home With Me.

Like many young boys, Cam'ron played basketball throughout his childhood and had dreams of becoming a pro. A leg injury sidelined that dream, and Cam'ron quickly began focusing on his new dream: rapping.

Cam'ron’s big break came in 1998 with the release of his debut album, Confessions of Fire, which provided us with the classics “.357” and “Horse and Carriage.” This album, as well as his sophomore effort, Sports, Drugs and Entertainment, both reached Gold status. However, good times were not to follow. Disputes with his then record label and serious health problems took Cam’ron off the map for a while.

Cam’ron reached out to long-time friend and mentor Damon Dash, CEO of Roc-A-Fella Records, to help him get back in the mix. Come Home With Me debuted on Billboard at no. 2 and features the chart-topping hits “Oh Boy” and “Hey Ma.”

“On this album, my style changes with the times,” says Cam'ron. “My goal is to be 20 blocks ahead of everybody else.”

Cam’ron is standing by those words. Not only is he dropping top-charting hits, he recently made his acting debut in the movie Paid in Full, starring Mekhi Phifer, and he's also coming out with his own line of cologne named “Oh Boy.”]]> 2002-12-17T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233151 Austin, Dallas, Brown, James, Bryant, Del, Cam'ron, City, Mike, Gotti, Irv, Hugo, Chad, J-Sw!ft, Ja Rule, Jackson, Janet, Jerkins, Rodney, Kelly, R., Lopez, Jennifer, Neptunes, The, Preston, Frances, Rooney, Stone, Angie, Wade, Rico, Williams, Pharrell, Winans, Mario, Wright, Betty, Latin, Pop, R&B, Urban, BMI Urban Awards BMI saluted the top R&B, rap and hip-hop songwriters, producers and publishers at its 2002 Urban Awards, staged August 6 at Club Tropigala at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resorts & Towers in Miami. The black-tie ceremony, hosted by BMI President and CEO Frances W. Preston, with Senior Vice President Performing Rights-Writer/Publisher Relations Del Bryant and Assistant Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton, saw a record six songwriters tie for the Songwriter of the Year trophy. Irv Gotti, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Pharrell Williams and Mario Winans each placed two songs on the most performed list to take home the coveted prize. Janet Jackson's hit, &quotAll For You,&quotwas named Song of the Year and EMI Music Publishing earned its second consecutive Urban Publisher of the Year award.

Producer/songwriters Rodney Jerkins, Pharrell Williams, and Dallas Austin, who produced and performed the musical tribute to BMI ICON Award winner James Brown, Brown, BMI's Frances Preston and Catherine Brewton, and producer Chad Hugo

A special highlight of the gala evening featured the presentation of the BMI ICON Award to &quotThe Godfather of Soul" James Brown in recognition of his contributions to music and the music business. He was honored during the dinner with an all-star musical tribute produced by Dallas Austin, Rodney Jerkins and Pharrell Williams that featured Angie Stone and Betty Wright, among others. With songs like &quotPapa's Got a Brand New Bag,"&quotI Got You (I Feel Good)&quotand &quotPlease Please Please,&quotBrown has more honors attached to his name than any other performer in music history. His BMI accolades include an impressive ten R&B Awards, six Pop Awards and three &quotMillion-Air&quotawards, denoting one million or more performances.

BMI's Catherine Brewton, producers Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes, and BMI's Frances Preston

The Songwriter of the Year trophy, shared this year by six, is given to the writer having the most songs on the BMI awards list for the evening. They are: Irv Gotti and Ja Rule for &quotI'm Real"(Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule) and &quotPut It On Me"(Ja Rule featuring Lil' Mo and Vita), Jay-Z for his song &quotIzzo (H.O.V.A.)&quotand &quotFiesta"(R. Kelly featuring Jay-Z), R. Kelly also for &quotFiesta&quotand &quotContagious"(Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley), Pharrell Williams for &quotDanger (Been So Long)"(Mystikal featuring Nivea) and &quotSouthern Hospitality"(Ludacris) and Mario Winans for &quotEmotional" (Carl Thomas) and &quotPeaches & Cream"(112).

BMI Songwriters Tre'vant J. Hardson, Nastacia Cherise Kendall, and J-Sw!ft show off their medallions.

Famed Neptunes' producer Pharrell Williams, who took home his second Songwriter of the Year award, was also honored as Songwriter/Producer of the Year. Rapper N.O.R.E. performed in his honor. Other Top Producer awards went to fellow Songwriters of the Year Irv Gotti, R. Kelly and Mario Winans, as well as to Mike City, Steve Huff, Mannie Fresh, Organized Noize (Pat &quotSleepy&quotBrown, Ray Murray and Rico Wade), Poke and Cory Rooney.

BMI ICON Award winner James Brown celebrating at the BMI Urban Awards

Song of the Year &quotAll For You,&quotwritten and performed by Janet Jackson and published by Black Ice Publishing, is from the pop diva's Grammy Award-winning album of the same name. Released in the spring of 2001, the title track went straight to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, bringing Jackson's total career #1 hits to ten.

BMI's Catherine Brewton, award-winning producer Rodney Jerkins, and BMI's Del Bryant

EMI Music Publishing, which had the highest percentage of ownership in award-winning songs, picked up its second consecutive Urban Publisher of the Year award. This is the twelfth top BMI Publisher honor awarded to EMI since 1989 in all genres of music. Other multiple award-winning publishers included Zomba Songs Inc. with three songs, and D J Irv Publishing, Ensign Music Corporation, Lil Lu Lu Publishing, R. Kelly Publishing, Inc., Slavery Music, Songs of Universal, Inc. and Waters of Nazareth Publishing with two songs each.

N.O.R.E. and BMI's Frances Preston

In addition to the song and publisher awards, music trade magazine Billboard announced the names of the BMI-affiliated writers who had #1 songs on the R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap charts during the past year. Rapper CAM'RON was among the double winners, as were two of the evening's top honorees, Irv Gotti and Pharrell Williams. The BMI Urban Awards were held to coincide with Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop Conference and Awards, also in Miami from August 7-9.

James Brown and Angie Stone, who performed "It's A Man's Man's Man's World" in his honor, share a laugh

BMI annually honors the songwriters and music publishers of the most performed songs on American radio in the urban, pop, country, Latin and Christian genres.