Patti LaBelle Named BMI Icon at the 2017 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards
DJ Khaled, Future and Rihanna tied for Songwriter of the Year; “Me, Myself & I” named Song of the Year; Metro Boomin named Producer of the Year and Universal Music Publishing Group presented with Publisher of the Year
Last night, BMI celebrated the songwriters, producers and publishers of the year’s most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs during the 2017 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards held at The Woodruff Arts Center’s Symphony Hall in Atlanta. Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter Patti LaBelle took home the night’s highest honor as BMI Icon in recognition of her distinguished career, spanning more than 50 years.
Hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton with Lifestyle Specialist Kenny Burns as co-host, the evening included stellar performances by some of the hottest talent on the music scene. The night kicked off with Atlanta’s own Big Boi from OutKast performing a medley of two of their biggest hits, “B.O.B.” and “GhettoMusick.” Hip-hop brother duo Ayo and Teo went on to give a dynamic performance of their Billboard Hot 100 hit song “Rolex,” before Keke Palmer and BMI’s Wardell Malloy named Detroit-based rapper Kash Doll BMI’s Social Star, voted on by fans across BMI’s Instagram and Twitter accounts. Jacquees serenaded the audience with his Billboard R&B charting single, “B.E.D.” while Rick Ross kept the energy flowing with a medley of his biggest hits including “Hustlin,’” “Trap, Trap, Trap” and “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast).”
The second half of the evening featured an array of outstanding tribute performances honoring Patti LaBelle beginning with BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music honoree, BeBe Winans singing his beautiful version of Ms. LaBelle’s number one single duet with Michael McDonald, “On My Own.” Next up, Avery Sunshine gave a moving rendition of “Love, Need and Want You.” The tributes continued with Gospel vocalist Kierra Sheard’s powerful performance of “When You’ve Been Blessed,” followed by Tasha Cobbs-Leonard singing the classic hit, “You Are My Friend.” Sheard joined Cobbs-Leonard to finish the song, and together they brought the crowd to their feet. Closing out the night, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Ledisi gave an energetic performance of the massive classic hit, “Lady Marmalade” before calling Ms. LaBelle to the stage where she gave an impromptu performance of “Over the Rainbow” and thanked those who paid tribute to her throughout the evening.
The show also honored the songwriters of the 35 best-performing R&B/Hip-Hop songs in the U.S. from BMI’s repertoire of over 12 million musical works. Metro Boomin took home the Producer of the Year award for the second year in a row and the coveted Song of the Year honor went to “Me, Myself & I” written by Tom Barnes, Lauren Christy, Michael Keenan and Bebe Rexha. Universal Music Publishing Group claimed Publisher of the Year and hitmakers Future, DJ Khaled and Rihanna tied for Songwriter of the Year.
As a BMI Icon, Ms. LaBelle joined an elite group of songwriters who have received BMI’s Icon Award for their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” Previous recipients include Nile Rodgers, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, James Brown, Al Green and Snoop Dogg, among others.
The event was sponsored by the Swisher Sweets Artist Project, which increases awareness and exposure for emerging musical talent.
Major Winners: 2017 BMI R&B Hip-Hop Awards
R&B/HIP-HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
Me, Myself & I
Tom Barnes (PRS)
Lauren Christy
Michael Keenan
Bebe Rexha
BMG Platinum Songs US
Kiss Me If You Can Music
Lauren Christy It’s LCBABA Baby Songs
Michael Fresh Publishing
Reservoir 416
Universal-Songs of Polygram International, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
R&B/HIP-HOP SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
DJ Khaled
Do You Mind
Don’t Mind
Down In The DM
For Free
Future
Do You Mind
Jumpman
Low Life
Wicked
Rihanna
Love On The Brain
Needed Me
Too Good
Work
R&B/HIP-HOP PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR
Universal Music Publishing Group
All The Way Up
Back To Sleep
Do You Mind
Don’t Mind
Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1
For Free
Jumpman
Low Life
Luv
Me, Myself and I
Needed Me
No Limit
Oui
Say It
Sucker For Pain
Wicked
R&B/HIP-HOP PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne
ICON AWARD
Patti LaBelle
BMI SOCIAL STAR
Kash Doll
35 BMI Most Performed R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
AGAIN
Brian “Peoples” Garcia
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
ALL THE WAY UP
Edward “Edsclusive” Davadi
Fat Joe
Andre “Dre” Lyon
Marcello “Cool” Valenzano
BMG Platinum Songs US
Dade Co. Project Music, Inc.
Joey and Ryan Music
Universal Music-Z Songs
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
BACK TO BACK
Jahmar “Daxz” Carter (SOCAN)
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
BACK TO SLEEP
Chris Brown
August Rigo
Culture Beyond Ur Experience Publishing
Songs By Summerchild
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
BLACK BEATLES
Aaquil “Slim Jxmmi” Brown
Khalif “Swae Lee” Brown
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
BROCCOLI
Lil Yachty
Shelley “D.R.A.M.” Massenburg-Smith
Karl Rubin
BMG Platinum Songs US
Boat Boy’s Publishing
CUT IT
O.T. Genasis
Adolph Thornton “Young Dolph”
1870 Publishing
Sony/ATV Ballad
DO YOU MIND
August Alsina
Chris Brown
Kevin Cossom
DJ Khaled
Future
Ralph Jeanty
Nicki Minaj
Rick Ross
Michael Sterling
4 Blunts Lit At Once Publishing
BMG Platinum Songs US
Culture Beyond Ur Experience Publishing
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Give Thanks Publishing
Irving Music
Nayvadius Maximus Music
Skyes Playground LLC
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Two Live Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Y.R.P. Music Publishing
DON’T
Tavors Javon Hollins
Isom B. Stewart
Bryson Tiller
SONGS MP
Sony/ATV Ballad
DON’T MIND
DJ Khaled
Kent Jones
Gerald Levert
Andre “Dre” Lyon
Edwin Nicholas
Marcello “Cool” Valenzano
Barry White
BMG Platinum Songs US
Dade Co. Project Music, Inc.
Divided Music, Inc.
Give Thanks Publishing
Ramal Music Company
Seven Songs
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Universal Music-Z Songs
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
DOWN IN THE DM
Ben “Billions” Diehl
DJ Khaled
Ian “Schife Karbeen” Lewis
Billions Enterprises
BMG Platinum Songs US
Karbeen Muzik Publishing, Inc.
Numbers Never Lie
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
EXCHANGE
Bryson Tiller
Sony/ATV Ballad
FATHER STRETCH MY HANDS, PT. 1
Pastor T.L. Barrett
Chance the Rapper
Mike Dean
Samuel Griesemer
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne
Kanye West
Cydel Young
Big Wave More Fire
BMG Platinum Songs US
Boogiedown Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Irving Music
Mr. Redan
Papa George Music
Please Gimme My Publishing, Inc.
Pluto Mars Music
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
FOR FREE
DJ Khaled
Lil Jon
Craig D. Love
Frankie Malave
Too Short
BMG Platinum Songs US
C’Amore Music
Cutlass Music
DJ Khaled Publishing
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Jumping Bean Songs LLC
Reservoir 416
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Srand Music
Swizole Music
Universal Music-Z Songs
JUMPMAN
Future
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne
Irving Music
Nayvadius Maximus Music
Pluto Mars Music
LOVE ON THE BRAIN
Joseph Angel
Fred Ball
Rihanna
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Monica Fenty Music Publishing
Pen Therapy
Songs of Roc Nation Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
LOW LIFE
Ben “Billions” Diehl
Future
Billions Enterprises
Irving Music
Nayvadius Maximus Music
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
LUV
Magnus Høiberg (TONO)
Tony “CD” Kelly
Daystar Peterson
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Tony Kelly Music
Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.
ME, MYSELF & I
Tom Barnes (PRS)
Lauren Christy
Michael Keenan
Bebe Rexha
BMG Platinum Songs US
Kiss Me If You Can Music
Lauren Christy It’s LCBABA Baby Songs
Michael Fresh Publishing
Reservoir 416
Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
NEEDED ME
Nick Audino (APRA)
DJ Mustard
Lewis Hughes (APRA)
Rihanna
Khaled Rohaim (APRA)
Te Whiti Warbrick (APRA)
BMG Platinum Songs US
Electric Feel Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Monica Fenty Music Publishing
Mustard on the Beat Publishing
Orange Factory Repertoire
Primary Wave Beats
SONGS MP
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
NO LIMIT
Brandon “B.A.M.” Hodge
Christopher Perry
Young Thug
Bayjun Beat Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Songs of YSL Music Publishing
NO PROBLEM
Cam O’bi
Chance the Rapper
Jonathan Hoard
Lil Wayne
Lakeithsha Williams
Greenhouse People
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Young Money Publishing, Inc.
ONE DANCE
DJ Paleface (PRS)
Flukes (PRS)
Corey Johnson
Kyla (PRS)
WizKid (PRS)
BMG Platinum Songs US
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Sentric Music Songs
OUI
Brandon “Donut” Bell
Carl Martin
Cameo Appearance By Ramses Music
Gasoline Alley Music
Girls Love Donuts
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
PANDA
Sidney Royel Selby, III “Desiigner”
L.O.D Publishing Inc.
SONGS MP
POP STYLE
Kanye West
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Please Gimme My Publishing, Inc.
REALLY REALLY
Alex Goose
Will Lobban-Bean
Jake Troth
Up And At Em LLC.
Artist 101 Publishing Group
BIG DEAL Beats
Love Fuzz
Songs By Cook Classic
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Words & Music
SAY IT
Daystar Peterson
Pop Wansel
Autoro R. Whitfield, II
Like The Bull
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
SORRY
Diana Gordon
Sean “MELO-X” Rhoden
BMG Platinum Songs US
Legend of Music
Meloxtra Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
STARBOY
Thomas Bangalter
Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo
SONGS MP
SUCKER FOR PAIN
Alex Da Kidd
Tyrone “Ty Dolla $ign” Griffin, Jr.
Robert “Logic” Hall
Sam Harris
Lil Wayne
Ben McKee
Joshua Mosser
Daniel Platzman
Dan Reynolds
Wayne “Wing” Sermon
Wiz Khalifa
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Imagine Dragons Publishing
Its Drugs Publishing
Jmosser Music
KIDinaKORNER2 Publishing
S. Nelson Harris Publishing
Songs for KIDinaKORNER
SONGS MP
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Three Oh One Productions
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Wiz Khalifa Publishing
Young Money Publishing, Inc.
THE HILLS
Carlo “Illangelo” Montagnese (SOCAN)
Songs Of Hear The Art
Sony/ATV Ballad
TOO GOOD
Maneesh Bidaye (SOCAN)
Rihanna
Andrae Sutherland “Popcaan”
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Monica Fenty Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
WICKED
Özcan Deniz (MSG)
Future
Southside
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne
Irving Music
Kriztal Chill Music
Nayvadius Maximus Music
Pluto Mars Music
Royal Legend Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
WORK
Rihanna
Monica Fenty Music Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
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