BMI Announces the Honorees of the 2021 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards

Doja Cat, Lydia Asrat, Metro Boomin, Roddy Ricch and Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing among the top award recipients

The 35 most-performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs also honored

Posted in News on September 20, 2021

BMI is excited to celebrate the 2021 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, paying tribute to the top songwriters, producers and music publishers of the previous year. The online celebration was unveiled today across all BMI digital and social channels. Top honors were presented for Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Producer of the Year, and Publisher of the Year in addition to the awards for the 35 most-performed R&B/Hip-Hop Songs of the previous year. For the complete list of winners and to view exclusive video content, including special messages from the honorees and personal accounts of the songwriting process behind some of the award-winning songs, visit www.bmi.com/randbhiphop2021.

“Year after year our songwriters raise the bar with their unrivaled creativity, setting a new standard for R&B/Hip-Hop and beyond,” said Catherine Brewton Vice President, Creative, Atlanta. “Today we celebrate the phenomenal songwriters, producers and publishers whose talent and artistry continue to elevate the culture and drive the genres forward. BMI is honored to represent this exceptional group of music creators and applaud their extraordinary accomplishments.”

Song of the Year was awarded to the hit single “Say So” written and performed by Doja Cat, co-written by Lydia Asrat. Released as the fifth single from Doja’s sophomore album, Hot Pink, the track inspired a viral TikTok dance challenge that saw celebrities and fans joining in on the fun and fueling the record’s success. Propelled by its massive popularity on the app, the song peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified triple platinum, earning the young pop star her first-ever top-five placement on the chart and the first multiplatinum hit of her career. The single was later nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Hip-Hop artist Roddy Ricch was named Songwriter of the Year for penning five of BMI’s 35 most-performed Hip-Hop/R&B songs of the previous year. The songwriter enjoyed an incredibly successful year releasing his ubiquitous hit, “The Box,” which spent 11 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the rapper’s highest charting song worldwide. Later that year, his feature on “Rockstar” earned the songwriter his second Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper, making Ricch the first artist since 2017 to achieve his first two number-one singles in the same year. The rapper received multiple GRAMMY nominations for both hits including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Song, and Best Melodic Rap Performance. Additionally, his collaboration with fellow BMI artist, the late Pop Smoke, “The Woo,” and his features on Mustard’s critically acclaimed “Ballin’” and “High Fashion” all landed in the top 20 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Producer of the Year went to Metro Boomin, marking the fourth time the young creative has received the distinction after previously holding the title in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The super producer, who has worked with hip-hop royalty including Future, Kanye West, Young Thug and more, earned the honor for his collaborations with 21 Savage (“Glock In My Lap,” “Many Men,” “Mr. Right Now,” “Rich N*gga Sh*t,” “Runnin,” and “Slidin”) and his production work on Lil Durk’s “Stay Down” featuring 6lack and Young Thug. He was also the 2017 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year.

The Publisher of the Year award was given to Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing, for representing 19 of BMI’s highest performing R&B Hip-Hop songs of 2020 including “BEST ON EARTH,” “Laugh Now Cry Later,” “Savage” and “Slide,” to name a few.

The songwriters, producers, and publishers of the 35 most-performed BMI R&B/Hip-Hop songs of the previous year were also celebrated. Fifty-six songwriters received their very first BMI R&B/Hip-Hop awards, including Trevor Daniel, Omer Fedi, H.E.R., Nipsey Hussle, Megan Thee Stallion, Pop Smoke, and Daryl Simmons, among others.

MAJOR WINNERS: 2021 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards

R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year

Say So
Lydia Asrat
Doja Cat
Desta Melodies
Doja Cat Music
Lost and Found Global Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Where Da Kasz At?

R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year

Roddy Ricch
Ballin’
High Fashion
Rockstar
The Box
The Woo

R&B/Hip-Hop Publisher of the Year

Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Ballin’
Bandit
BEST ON EARTH
Falling
Heat
High Fashion
Hot
hot girl bummer
Hot Girl Summer
Laugh Now Cry Later
Like That
Mood
Rockstar
Savage
Savage Remix
Say So
Slide
The Box
The Woo

R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year

Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne

Top Producers

Nick Mira

Denzel Baptiste
“Take a Daytrip”

David Biral
“Take a Daytrip”

Taz Taylor

BMI 35 Most Performed R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Baby
Wesley Glass aka Wheezy Beatz
Ultra Empire Music

Ballin’
Nipsey Hussle
Roddy Ricch
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Songs LLC

Bandit
Juice WRLD
Nick Mira
BMG Platinum Songs US
Electric Feel Music
Nick Mira Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Taz Taylor Beats

BEST ON EARTH
BIA
Lil Jon
Craig D. Love
Jake Paul
Donnell “Don P” Prince
Russ
Jahaan Sweet
C’Amore Music
Concord
Cutcraft Sounds
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Marcus Cole Publishing LLC
Reservoir 416
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Ballad
Swizole Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

Blueberry Faygo
Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds
Lil Mosey
Daryl Simmons
Boobie and DJ Songs, Inc.
Ecaf Music
Franmar Music
Hipgnosis Side B
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

BOP
Anton “Star Boy” Mendo
Electric Feel Music
Songs of Star World Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.

Emotionally Scarred
Twysted Genius
EarSnatchaz Music Publishing
Reservoir 416

Falling
Trevor Daniel
Charlie Handsome
KC Supreme
Martin Kottmeier (SOCAN)
Tristan Norton (SOCAN)
Taz Taylor
Artist 101 Publishing Group
Concord
KC Supreme Publishing
Songs By 10K Music Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Taz Taylor Beats
These Are Pulse Songs
Trevor Daniel Publishing

For the Night
CashMoneyAp
Mike Dean
Cedric Leutwyler
Christoffer Buchardt Marcussen
Pop Smoke
Japan Premium Publishing
Papa George Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Victor Victor Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

Heart on Ice
Lance Bledsoe “Speaker Bangerz”
Rod Wave
Create Digital Music
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Speaker Bangerz Publishing

Heartless
Metro Boomin
Carlo “Illangelo” Montagnese (SOCAN)
Songs Of Hear The Art
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Ballad

Heat
Chris Brown
Buddah Bless
Gunna
HoodyBaby
300 Rainwater Music
AMG 4 Ever
Culture Beyond Ur Experience Publishing
Gunna Music
Kreative Kingdom Publishing
Reservoir 416
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Young Stoner Life Publishing LLC

High Fashion
Roddy Ricch
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing

HIGHEST IN THE ROOM
Mike Dean
Papa George Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

Hot
Wesley Glass aka Wheezy Beatz
Gunna
Young Thug
300 Rainwater Music
Artist 101 Publishing Group
Atlantic Songs
Gunna Music
Reservoir 416
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Ultra Empire Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Young Stoner Life Publishing LLC

hot girl bummer
Andrew Goldstein
Matthew Musto
Bear Trap Publishing
Frndzone Music
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.

Hot Girl Summer
Isaac “Earl The Pearl” Bynum
Michael “Crazy Mike” Foster
Derrick Carrington Gray
Jordan “Juicy J” Houston
Lil Yachty
Megan Thee Stallion
Ty Dolla $ign
Artist 101 Publishing Group
BMG Platinum Songs US
Boat Boy’s Publishing
Concord
Deeetta Music
Hot Girl Music
PearllProductions Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
These Are Pulse Songs
UP10M’s Publishing
Where Da Kasz At?

Intentions
Dominic Jordan
peermusic lll, Ltd.
Songs of Anonymous

Laugh Now Cry Later
Rogét Chahayed
Daveon “Yung Exclusive” Jackson
Ryan “G. Ry” Martinez
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Wellhellothere Music
Yex Publishing

Life Is Good
Ambezza (GEMA)
Future
Darius Hill
Irving Music
Nayvadius Maximus Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC

Like That
Lydia Asrat
Mike Crook
Doja Cat
Crook and Crook LLC
Desta Melodies
Doja Cat Music
Lost and Found Global Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Where Da Kasz At?

Mood
24kGoldn
Keegan “KBeaZy” Bach
Iann Dior
Omer Fedi
Blake Slatkin
24kGoldn Publishing
Artist 101 Publishing Group
Back Hair Music Publishing
Electric Feel Music
Omer Fedi Music
Songs By 10K Music Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Two hands and a bit publishing

On Chill
Eric Bellinger
Rokusuke Ei (JASRAC)
Todd “LT MOE” Moore
Hachidai Nakamura (JASRAC)
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC

P*$$Y Fairy (OTW)
Jhené Aiko
Micah Powell
Mac Robinson
August Rush Music
Lil Bastards
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

Playing Games
Fred Jerkins III
Rodney Jerkins
London On Da Track
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Fred Jerkins Publishing
Sony/ATV Ballad
Sony/ATV Melody
We Got London On Da Track

POPSTAR
DJ Khaled
BMG Platinum Songs US
Give Thanks Publishing

Rockstar
Roddy Ricch
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing

Roxanne
94Skrt
JaeGreen
Music by JG Publishing
Sony/ATV Songs LLC

Savage
Megan Thee Stallion
Bobby Session Jr.
Anthony “J.White Did It” White
Hot Girl Music
HSZ Music
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC

Savage Remix
Derrick Carrington Gray
Megan Thee Stallion
Bobby Session Jr.
Jorden “Pardison Fontaine” Thorpe
Anthony “J.White Did It” White
Artist 101 Publishing Group
Hot Girl Music
HSZ Music
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Ballad
Sony/ATV Songs LLC

Say So
Lydia Asrat
Doja Cat
Desta Melodies
Doja Cat Music
Lost and Found Global Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Where Da Kasz At?

Slide
Steve Arrington
Charles “Cedell” Carter
Elijah Bliss Dias
H.E.R.
Buddy Hankerson
Roger Parker
Tiara Thomas
Black Samurai Music
BMG Platinum Songs US
Konglather Music, Inc.
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of LaStrada
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Tiara Thomas Music

The Box
Larrance Dopson
Samuel “30Roc” Gloade
Adarius “DatBoiSqueeze” Moragne
Roddy Ricch
Khirye Tyler
Blue Nike Publishing
Khirye Tyler Music
peermusic lll, Ltd.
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Volume Ventures
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

The Woo
808Melo
J.W. Lucas
Pop Smoke
Roddy Ricch
Japan Premium Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

WAP
James “Keyz” Foye
Megan Thee Stallion
Austin “Ayo” Owens
Frank Ski
Jorden “Pardison Fontaine” Thorpe
Avex USA obo Xeva Music
BMG Platinum Songs US
Future Sights and Sounds Music
Hot Girl Music
Songs of Holup Publishing
Songs of Keyzbaby LLC
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Ballad
Sony/ATV Songs LLC

WHATS POPPIN
Darryl Clemons
Los The Producer
J.W. Lucas
Nathan Ward II, “Nemo Achida”
Budde Songs, Inc.
Downtown DMP Songs
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Winners Circle Worldwide Publishing

SOURCENews TAGS R&B / Hip-Hop BMI Awards BMI R&B / Hip-Hop Awards