BMI Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of its R&B/Hip-Hop Awards Honoring the Genre’s Best Songwriters, Producers and Music Publishers
J. Cole, Khalid, Nick Mira, Post Malone and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Among Major Award Honorees
BMI’s 2020 Social Star and the Songwriters of the Top 35 Songs of the Previous Year Were Also Announced
BMI is proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, recognizing the genre’s top songwriters, producers and publishers of the previous year. BMI’s Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Producer of the Year, Publisher of the Year and 2020’s Social Star were announced across BMI’s digital and social channels to commemorate the remarkable achievements of these music creators. For the complete list of winners and to view exclusive content, including video messages, performances, and a look back on the last 20 years of the award show, click here.
“We are honored to recognize the accomplishments of our exceptional family of songwriters, producers and publishers. For the past 20 years, I’ve watched their artistry shape the landscape of hip-hop and R&B and witnessed the undeniable influence their creative works have had on other genres,” said Catherine Brewton, Vice President Creative, Atlanta. “Today, we celebrate our creators’ enduring musical contributions and look forward to when we can be together in person once again.”
Song of the Year was awarded to the ubiquitous smash hit “Talk,” performed by Khalid. As the lead single off his sophomore album, Free Spirit, the song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned the songwriter his sixth GRAMMY nomination, this time for Record of the Year. With this accolade, Khalid adds another BMI award to his collection after picking up Songwriter of the Year at this year’s BMI Pop Awards. In honor of this award, Khalid gave BMI an exclusive acoustic performance of “Talk,” which can be seen here.
GRAMMY award-winning lyricist and producer J. Cole and GRAMMY-nominated recording artist and musician Post Malone tied for the coveted title of Songwriter of the Year. The two power players of hip-hop wrote six of BMI’s most-performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs in 2019 between them with Cole’s “a lot,” “Middle Child” and “The London,” and Malone’s “Goodbyes,” “Sunflower” and “Wow.” J. Cole kicked off the year with his critically acclaimed single “a lot,” which earned the rapper his first GRAMMY for Best Rap Song. “Middle Child” became Cole’s highest-charting record to date, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100, while “The London,” released later that year, received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance. Post Malone started the year on a high note with the chart-dominating hit “Sunflower,” earning two GRAMMY nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. His seventh top-ten single, “Goodbyes,” followed along with the catchy single “Wow.,” which claimed the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100. This marks the second year in a row that Malone has been named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year, and earlier this year, he was also crowned BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year at the 2020 BMI Pop Awards.
Nick Mira was named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year for having ten BMI songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart over the past year, including two of his collaborations with late BMI songwriter/rapper Juice WRLD, “Lucid Dreams” and “Bandit.” Mira is one of the most sought-after producers in the industry after amassing numerous noteworthy credits during his short tenor with hip-hop heavyweights such as Gunna, Post Malone, Lil Tecca and Young Thug, to name a few. Seven other producers were also highlighted for having five or more songs on The Billboard Hot 100 chart over the past year, including Charlie Handsome, Eminem, London On Da Track, Mike Dean, Tay Keith, Taz Taylor and Wesley Glass aka Wheezy Beatz.
For the second year in a row, Sony/ATV Music Publishing received honors for Publisher of the Year for representing 20 of BMI’s best performing R&B/Hip-Hop songs of 2019 including “Look Back at It,” “My Type,” “Old Town Road (Remix),” “Swervin,” “Truth Hurts” and more.
Bobby Fishscale is the newly minted 2020 BMI Social Star, an award which is presented to the nominated affiliate who has the most engagement with their social followers over a 10-day voting period. This year, BMI has partnered with some of the top music streaming platforms to offer the winner exciting opportunities on their respective services. Fishscale joins previous winners Mac Miller, Machine Gun Kelly, Zendaya, SoMo, Joey Bada$$, Kashdoll, Derez De’Shon and NLE Choppa in sharing the recognition.
BMI also celebrated the songwriters, producers, and publishers of the 35 most-performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs of the previous year. The year’s group of honorees includes 41 first-time R&B/Hip-Hop award recipients. Among the songs being honored are Gunna’s “Drip Too Hard” (featuring Lil Baby) co-written by Chandler “Turbo” Durham, Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” co-written by Ricky Reed and Jesse Saint John, DJ Khaled’s “Leave Me Alone,” “Trip” by Ella Mai co-written by Quintin Gulledge, Lil Nas X’s “Panini” co-written by Denzel Baptise and David Biral, and Chris Brown’s “No Guidance” co-written by Tyler “Velous” Bryant, Nija Charles and Teddy Walton, among others.
MAJOR WINNERS: 2020 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards
R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year
Talk
Khalid
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year
J. Cole
a lot
Middle Child
The London
Post Malone
Goodbyes
Sunflower
Wow.
R&B/Hip-Hop Publisher of the Year
Sony/ATV Music Publishing
a lot
Better
Good as Hell
Look Back at It
Mo Bamba
Money
Money in the Grave
My Type
Old Town Road (Remix)
Panini
Please Me
Pop Out
Ring
Sunflower
Swervin
Talk
Trip
Truth Hurts
Uproar
Wow.
R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year
Nick Mira
Social Star
Bobby Fishscale
Top Producers
Tay Keith
Mike Dean
Eminem
Wesley Glass aka Wheezy Beatz
Charlie Handsome
London On Da Track
Taz Taylor
BMI 35 Most Performed R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
a lot
J. Cole
Anthony “J.White Did It” White
Sheila Young
EMI-Longitude Music Co.
Ferncliff Music
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Act Up
Isaac “Earl The Pearl” Bynum
Lil Yachty
Boat Boy’s Publishing
PearllProductions Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Better
Charlie Handsome
Khalid
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Close Friends
Chandler “Turbo” Durham
Turbo The Great
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Dangerous
Christopher “Chrishan” Dotson
Melvin Ray Moore III
Gabrielle “Goldiie” Nowee
BMG Platinum Songs US
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Songs Right Now Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Drip Too Hard
Chandler “Turbo” Durham
Gunna
300 Rainwater Music
Gunna Music
Reservoir 416
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Turbo The Great
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Young Stoner Life Publishing LLC
Going Bad
Wesley Glass aka Wheezy Beatz
Ultra Empire Music
Good as Hell
Lizzo
Ricky Reed
Anthem Boardwalk Music Publishing
Frederic And Ried Music
Lizzo Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Goodbyes
Val Blavatnik
Jessie Lauren Foutz
Brian Lee
Post Malone
Young Thug
300 Rainwater Music
Artist 101 Publishing Group
Atlantic Songs
Dong Hoe Music
Jessie Lauryn Music
Posty Publishing
Reservoir 416
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Young Stoner Life Publishing LLC
Leave Me Alone
DJ Khaled
BMG Platinum Songs US
Give Thanks Publishing
Look Back at It
Christopher “Chrishan” Dotson
Michael Jackson
Fred Jerkins III
Nora Payne
Jahaan Sweet
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Fred Jerkins Publishing
Generation 3rd Music
Mijac Music
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs Right Now Publishing
Sony/ATV Melody
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Middle Child
Allan Felder
Norman Ray Harris
J. Cole
Tyler “T-Minus” Williams (SOCAN)
Brother Bagz Publishing
Reservoir 416
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Songtrust Blvd.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Mo Bamba
Denzel Baptise
David Biral
Jerry Cruz
Sheck Wes
16yrold Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Victor Victor Music
Money
Jorden “Pardison Fontaine” Thorpe
Anthony “J.White Did It” White
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Ballad
Money in the Grave
Lil CC
LJay Currie
Rick Ross
4 Blunts Lit At Once Publishing
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Songs By LJay Currie Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
My Type
Gino Borri
Aleicia Nicole Gibson
Lil Jon
London On Da Track
Craig D. Love
Adam David Small
BMG Platinum Songs US
C’Amore Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Not Small Publishing
Price Check Publishing
Reservoir 416
Songs of Roc Nation Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Ballad
Swizole Music
Two Circle Close Music
We Got London On Da Track
No Guidance
Chris Brown
Tyler “Velous” Bryant
Nija Charles
Teddy Walton
Culture Beyond Ur Experience Publishing
Songs By Amnija
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Roc Nation Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Teddy Walton Publishing
Old Town Road (Remix)
Billy Ray Cyrus
Lil Nas X
Atticus Ross
YoungKio
Songs In The Key Of Mink
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Sunnageronimo Publishing, Inc.
Panini
Denzel Baptise
David Biral
Lil Nas X
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Please Me
Ray Romulus
Music for Milo
Please Enjoy the Music
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Pop Out
Dylan “Ice Berg Beatz” Berg
João ‘‘JD On Tha Track’’ Duarte
Tione “Lil Tjay” Merritt
46 Music Group Entertainment
Annuity Songs
IceBerg Beatz Publishing
Sony/ATV Ballad
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Ran$om
Nick Mira
Taz Taylor
Artist 101 Publishing Group
Electric Feel Music
Nick Mira Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Taz Taylor Beats
Ring
Nija Charles
Desmond Dennis
Mike “Scribz” Riley
Jorden “Pardison Fontaine” Thorpe
DMD Concepts Publishing
Songs By Amnija
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Ballad
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Suge
Darryl Clemons
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Winners Circle Worldwide Publishing
Sunflower
Khalif “Swae Lee” Brown
Carter Lang
Post Malone
Electric Feel Music
Posty Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Twenty Fifteen Boulevard Music, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Zuma Tuna LLC
Swervin
Andrew “Trifedrew” Green
London On Da Track
Kevin “K Rich” Richardson
Tekashi 6ix9ine
Create Digital Music
Sony/ATV Ballad
We Got London On Da Track
Talk
Khalid
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
The London
Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds
J. Cole
Tyler “T-Minus” Williams (SOCAN)
Young Thug
300 Rainwater Music
Artist 101 Publishing Group
Atlantic Songs
Brother Bagz Publishing
Dylan’s Way Music
Reservoir 416
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Young Stoner Life Publishing LLC
Thotiana
Scum Beatz
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Trip
Quintin Gulledge
Ella Mai
Ella Mai Publishing
Mustard on the Beat Publishing
peermusic lll, Ltd.
QCanDoIt Music
Songs of Volume Ventures
Sony/ATV Ballad
Truth Hurts
Lizzo
Ricky Reed
Jesse Saint John
Anthem Boardwalk Music Publishing
Frederic And Ried Music
Jesse SJ Music
Lizzo Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Ballad
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Uproar
Lamont Dozier
Brian Holland
Eddie Holland
Lil Wayne
EMI-Stone Agate Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Young Money Publishing, Inc.
Wake Up in the Sky
DY Krazy
Jeff LaCroix
Dieuson “Kodak Black” Octave
Chance “Tarentino” Youngblood
Annuity Songs
Dollaz N Dealz Entertainment
Dwan Avery Publishing
Tarentino Publishing
Trepounds Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Wow.
Adam “Frank Dukes” Feeney (SOCAN)
Post Malone
Electric Feel Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
MYNY Music
Posty Publishing
Sam Fam Beats
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Zeze
Dieuson “Kodak Black” Octave
Justin Vibes
Dollaz N Dealz Entertainment
Justefan Works
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
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