This past weekend (June 24), Sean “Diddy” Combs received the prestigious Founders Award and Mary Mary garnered the Golden Note Award at ASCAP’s 24th Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, which took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
The Rhythm & Soul Awards honor the songwriters and publishers of the most performed ASCAP songs on the 2010 R&B/Hip-Hop, Rap and Gospel charts. This year’s ceremony was attended by top names in the music and entertainment industries, including Ne-Yo, Kelly Rowland, Drake, DJ Clark Kent, Jimmy Iovine, production team Stargate, New York Nicks’ Carmelo Anthony and wife La La Vasquez. Performers included R&B artist Miguel and rapper Pusha T and R&B singer/songwriter Andrea Martin.
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Honorees Mary Mary also took the stage. The gospel duo, which consists of sisters Tina and Erica Atkins-Campbell, received ASCAP’s Golden Note Award, which is given to songwriters, composers and artists who have achieved extraordinary milestones. The ladies emerged on the scene in 2000 with their platinum, Grammy-winning album, “Thankful,” and followed that success with popular albums “Incredible,” “Mary Mary” and “A Mary Mary Christmas.” However, their fifth album, “The Sound” (2008), is the biggest to date, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and spawning the monster hit “God In Me,” which reached No. 1 on the Gospel chart and No.5 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart.
The ceremony’s highest honor went to Sean “Diddy” Combs. The rapper, producer, actor and mogul received the Founder’s Award, which recognizes songwriters and composers who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. In addition to his work as a solo artist and producer, Combs manages Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, a major urban entertainment company that includes recording, television and film production and fragrance among its many business platforms. Dr. Dre co-presented the award with ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams. Combs joins the company of Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel and Paul McCartney in receiving the award.
Other top winners included Ludacris, Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels” and Noah “40” Shebib in a three-way tie for Songwriter of the Year, and EMI for Publisher of the Year for 21 award-winning songs. It was the publisher’s 17th consecutive win in the category. Alicia Keys’ “Unthinkable (I’m Ready) received Top R&B Song; B.O.B.’s “Nothin’ On You” took Top Rap Song; and Fred Hammond’s “They That Wait” was named Top Gospel Song.
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a U.S. performing rights membership association that consists of more than 410,000 composers, songwriters, lyricists and music publishers. The organization oversees the licensing and distribution of royalties for performances of its members’ copyrighted works.
Full List of Winners
Founders Award:
Sean “Diddy” Combs
Golden Note Award:
Mary Mary
Songwriters of the Year (tie):
Ludacris, Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels and Noah “40” Shebib
Publisher of the Year:
EMI Music Publishing
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song:
“Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready)” written by Kerry “Krucial” Brothers, Alicia Keys and Noah “40” Shebib
Top Rap Song:
“Nothin’ On You” written by Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine and Bruno Mars
Top Gospel Song:
“They That Wait” written by Ericka R. Warren
Award Winning R&B/Hip-Hop Songs:
“Aint Leavin Without You” written by Kier Gist, Eritza Laues
“B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)” written by Styles P
“Bad Habits” written by Hod David, Maxwell
“Bittersweet” written by Chuck Harmony, Michael “Make” Mentore
“Bottoms Up” written by Daniel “Kane Beatz” Johnson
“Everything To Me” written by Missy Elliot, Cainon Lamb, Jazmine Sullivan, Deniece Williams
“Fancy” written by Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels, Noah “40” Shebib
“Finding My Way Back
“Fistful Of Tears” written by Hod David, Maxwell
“Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” written by Andrew “Dru Brett” Harr, Jermaine “Mayne” Jackson, Usher Raymond, IV
“Holding You Down (Goin’ In Circles)” written by Mary J Blige, Craig Xavier Brockman, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Anthony Cruz, Ariene Delvalle, Missy Elliot, Cainon Lamn, Inga “Foxy Brown” Marchand, Cory McKay, Jazmine Sullivan
“How Low” written by Ludacris
“I Am” written by Johnta Austin, Magnus Beite, Mary J Blige, Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen
“It Kills Me” written by Leon Carr, Andrea Martin, Earl Shuman
“Lil’ Freak” written by Stevie Wonder
“Lose My Mind” written by Christopher “Drumma Boy” Gholson
“Love All Over Me” written by Jermaine Dupri, Crystal Johnson
“Miss Me” written by Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels, Noah “40” Shebib
“Money To Blow” written by Christopher “Drumma Boy” Gholson
“My Chick Bad” written by Derrelle “Lil Playy” Davidson, The Legendary Traxster, Ludacris
“Neighbors Know My Name” written by Patrick “Guitar Boy” Hayes
“Nothin’ On You” written by Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars
“Over” written by Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels, Noah “40” Shebib
“Papers” written by Usher Raymond, IV
“Ride” written by Ciara, Ludacris, Terius “The DReam” Nash, C. Tricky Stewart
“Rude Boy” by Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen
“Say AAH” written by Fabolous, Nate Walka
“Say Something” written by Timothy “Attitude” Clayton, John “D.O.E.” Maultsby, Timbaland
“Sex Room” written by Ludacris
“Sex Therapy” written by John R. Gluck, Wally Gold, Seymour Gottlieb, Robin Thicke
“There Goes My Baby” written by Frank Romano
“Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart” written by Alicia Keys, Plain Pat
Award Winning Rap Songs:
“Airplanes” written by Jeremy “Kinetics” Dussolliet, DJ Frank E., Tim Sommers
“Empire State Of Mind” written by Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Janet “Jnay” Sewell-Ulepic, Al Shux (PRS)
“Forever” written by Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels
“How Low” written by Ludacris
“Lose My Mind” written by Christopher “Drumma Boy” Gholson
“Miss Me” written by Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels, Noah “40” Shebib
“Money To Blow” written by Christopher “Drumma Boy” Gholson
“My Chick Bad” written by Derrelle “Lil Playy” Davidson, The Legendary Traxster, Ludacris
“Over” written by Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels, Noah “40” Shebib
“Say Something” written by Timothy “Attitude” Clayton, John “D.O.E.” Maultsby, Timbaland
“Tie Me Down” written by Cory “Knotch” Marks, Jason Wilkinson
Award Winning Gospel Songs:
“All I Need” written by Stan Jones
“Encore” written by James Fortune, Terence Vaughn
“I Believe” written by James Fortune
“I Want To Say Thank You” written by Michael A. Brooks
“Justified” written by Smokie Norful
“Resting On His Promise” written by Eric Davis for E Dav Music, JJ Hairston