Hail Mary
Mary J. Blige receives ASCAP Voice of Music Award, Jermaine "JD" Dupri and Johntá Austin among top honorees at 20th anniversary ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards
Over 500 songwriters, recording artists and music industry leaders gathered at the 20th Anniversary ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards, held June 25th at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, CA, to salute the top songwriters and publishers behind the most popular music of 2006. ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman hosted the all-star gathering, which included special guest presenters Akon, Keri Hilson, MC Lyte, The Underdogs, and Ted Winn among others. The evening also included live performances by some of today's hottest stars and emerging artists, including Keyshia Cole, Biz Markie, Wynter Gordon, Rock City, Karen Clark Sheard and Ne-Yo.
Mary J. Blige shared the coveted Songwriter of the Year title with first time Songwriter of the Year Johntá Austin and veteran honoree Jermaine "JD" Dupri, who has held the title six times. Earlier this year, Austin and Dupri shared another ASCAP title as both were named ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year.
Blige earned her first ASCAP Songwriter of the Year award for two of the blockbuster hits from
The Breakthrough, "Be Without You" and "Enough Cryin," and for her collaboration with Busta Rhymes, "Touch It (Remix)." Austin was honored for co-writing the Mary J. Blige hit "Be Without You," Mariah Carey's "Don't Forget About Us," and "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" for Chris Brown. Dupri's versatility showed on his three award-winning hits: Mariah Carey's "Don't Forget About Us," the Chingy and Tyrese hip-hop ballad "Pullin' Me Back" and the hot club track "Grillz."
"Be Without You" also earned Austin and Blige this year's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song award while Austin while "Grillz" claimed the Top Ringtone of the Year award and was also recognized in the Rap and R&B/Hip-Hop categories.
EMI Music Publishing was named Publisher of the Year for their 16 award-winning songs. This is the 13th consecutive win for EMI and the 15th time in the 20-year history of the awards show that they have received this honor.
The evening was highlighted with a special tribute to Mary J. Blige who was presented with the ASCAP Voice of Music Award, given to recognize artists and songwriters whose music illuminates people's lives through song. Jimmy Iovine, Chairman, Interscope, Geffen & A&M Records and Ron Fair, Chairman, Geffen Records, joined Marilyn Bergman onstage to present the award. Also in Blige's honor, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis introduced a tribute video celebrating her 15-year career, and Keyshia Cole, Wynter Gordon and Karen Clark Sheard – accompanied by the Rhythm & Soul House Band under the direction of Nisan Stewart – capped off the tribute with stunning performances of some of Blige's songs.
Top Soundtrack Song of the Year honors went to "Check On It" from
The Pink Panther. Co-written by Angela Beyince, Beyoncé, Sean Garrett and Swizz Beatz, with the original theme music by the late Henry Mancini, the song was also recognized in the R&B/Hip-Hop category.
Sean Paul was named Reggae Artist of the Year for the fourth consecutive year and also earned two awards in the Rap category for "Temperature" and "(When You Gonna) Give It Up To Me."
Yung Joc's "It's Goin' Down," written by Nitti, was named Top Rap Song and also earned an award in the R&B/Hip-Hop category. The song reached #1 on Billboard's Hot Rap Tracks chart and received a 2006 Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song.
"Looking For You," written by Sheree Brown, Charles Mims and Patrice Rushen, was named Top Gospel Song. Performed by Kirk Franklin, the song remained on Billboard's Top Gospel Songs chart for 49 weeks peaking at the #1 spot.
Among the songwriters with multiple award-winning songs were: Mary J. Blige, Johntá Austin and Jermaine "JD" Dupri with three each, and Beyoncé, Keyshia Cole, LRoc, Ludacris, Stargate's Mikkel Eriksen (PRS) and Tor Hermansen (PRS), Sean Garrett and Sean Paul with two each.
Honorees and notables in attendance included: Mary J. Blige, Johntá Austin, Jermaine "JD" Dupri, Akon, Chingy, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Alicia Keys, Biz Markie, Kandi Burruss, Chamillionaire, Keyshia Cole, Dem Franchize Boyz, Dre & Vidal, Ron Fair, Dave "Jam" Hall, Andre Harrell, Lalah Hathaway, Keri Hilson, Krayzie Bone, L.A. Reid, Letoya, LRoc, Lyfe Jennings, Mary Mary, MC Lyte, Ne-Yo, Papoose, Play N Skillz, Polow Da Don, Rah Digga, Sylvia Rhone, Rock City, Patrice Rushen, Karen Clark Sheard, American Idol's Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, Lakisha Jones and Melinda Doolittle, Stargate, Swizz Beatz, Tank, T.I., The Underdogs, Narada Michael Walden, Ted Winn, Young Dro and others.
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