Over the last 23 years, Metallica has steadily molded and shaped the rock and metal genres, bending and pushing the boundaries with rebellion and bravery. Through it all, one thing has always remained the same: the defiant integrity of their music. In doing so, they have become musical icons, redefining the heavy metal genre and standing up for the rights of songwriters in an advanced technological age where piracy runs rampant.

Starting with their boldly titled 1983 debut Kill ‘Em All, Metallica's gritty, irate music spoke to a generation that was lost, angry and searching for a way to fit into the world in which they lived. Their music externalized the frustration of the youth not only through heavy instrumentation, but also with deeper, introspective lyrics.

Fueled by James Hetfield's signature growl and drummer Lars Ulrich's driving beat, the band's music became well known and respected in both the metal and general rock circuit. Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Cliff Burton also steadily crafted good reputations as talented musicians – the kind that other artists could only aspire to be. The band released another lauded album in 1984 called Ride the Lightning with fan-favorite songs like "Fade to Black" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls."

The band then released their critically acclaimed Master of Puppets in 1986 with popular anthems like the title track and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)." But the group suffered a serious tragedy when Burton died in a tour bus crash. Metallica regrouped with new bassist Jason Newsted, and in 1988 they released their fourth studio album, ...And Justice For All, which achieved Top 10 status with little help from radio or MTV, but was primarily bolstered by the success of their seven and a half minute long single, "One."

The band didn't actually enter the mainstream market until their eponymous 1991 release – their first No. 1 album that went 14 times platinum in the U.S.(earning them the coveted "Diamond Award" from the RIAA) and included classic Metallica standards like "Enter Sandman", "Nothing Else Matters", "Wherever I May Roam", and "Sad But True."

As the band's sound grew from long, unstructured songs to shorter, more constructed pieces, Metallica changed the scope of heavy metal music, earning the respect and praise of other artists, fans and critics – a difficult feat that no other metal act has achieved. But Metallica is a band that isn't content to create music based on successful formulas. With their next album, 1996's Load, they changed their approach to music again. The shift was a bold statement for them, leaning more towards an alternative slant than a heavy metal tone. While some fans complained about the change, Metallica charged onward as Load hit No. 1 and sold more than three million copies in the first two months.

In 1997, the group released Re-Load, which featured material that originated but was not completed during the Load recording sessions. The following year, Metallica released a double-disc collection of B-sides, rarities and cover songs called Garage Inc. The band expanded their live performance further with the release of S&M in 1999, which is a recording of Metallica's live concert with the San Francisco Symphony. The release bowed at No. 2, and turned the band on to a whole new audience.

Metallica entered the new millennium as pioneers in the fight against Internet music piracy, which at the time was still a relatively new battle for the music industry. Metallica emphasized the point of how music-swapping programs were taking control away from the songwriters and artists, as well as infringing on copyright.

In 2001, Newsted exited the lineup, and the band entered the recording studio to work on new songs with longtime producer Bob Rock also handling bass duties. Eventually, the band found another bassist in Rob Trujillo, formerly of Suicidal Tendencies and who at the time was playing bass for Ozzy Osbourne. With Trujillo on board, the band regrouped and released their latest album, St. Anger, which debuted at number one in 30 countries, and had both fans and critics talking about the lo-fi production on the album – a distinct change from the previous evolution of Metallica's sound. Their new, raw music sounded rough and purposefully primitive with fans and critics again applauding the band's efforts to do something new with their creative energies and songwriting.

ASCAP is proud to present its inaugural Creative Voice Award to Metallica. The ASCAP Creative Voice Award is bestowed upon an ASCAP member whose significant career achievements are equally informed by their creative spirit and by their contributions to the role that a creator can play in their community.