The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) awards is coming up later this month. This year they will honor music legend Jermaine Dupri. Is it me or does Jermaine never age? I met him a couple years ago at a party he was dj-ing for Nelly in St. Louis. In addition they will also honor the very talented Ne-Yo.
During the ceremony, Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist, songwriter and producer Jermaine Dupri will be presented with prestigious ASCAP Founders Award. “For over two decades, Jermaine has consistently provided the world with hit after hit after hit, many of which we already know as classics,” commented ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams.
Past recipients include Ashford & Simpson, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Dr. Dre, Berry Gordy Jr. & Motown Industries, Billy Joel, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, Smokey Robinson, Patti Smith, Rod Stewart and Stevie Wonder.
Jermaine Dupri has established a successful career as a hip-hop artist, producer, songwriter, author and CEO of So So Def Recordings, which he founded in 1989. He has collaborated with artists such as Usher, Mariah Carey and Nelly. His career milestones include the release of several platinum recordings as CEO of So So Def and winning a Grammy for Best R&B Song. He is one of only a few producers in music history to garner four positions in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart at one time. He is also the first recipient of the Billboard Otis Redding Excellence Award for his achievements both in and outside the studio. Jermaine Dupri previously won the ASCAP Golden Note Award in 2005.
Ne-Yo will receive the ASCAP Golden Note Award, which is presented to songwriters, composers and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. “We are thrilled to present Ne-Yo with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award this year. We can’t think of anyone else more deserving of this award based on the extraordinary career milestones we’ve seen him achieve through the years. We are excited to honor an artist who continues to push the limits of R&B and popular music with his incredible creativity,” commented ASCAP VP of Rhythm & Soul Membership Nicole George-Middleton.
Previous honorees include Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jay-Z, Quincy Jones, Alicia Keys, LL Cool J, Lionel Richie, Usher, Pharrell Williams and Stevie Wonder.
In the nearly ten years since Ne-Yo first broke onto the scene, the Grammy Award winner has racked up an entire career’s worth of accomplishments as both a recording artist and songwriter for artists such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Jay Z, Usher, Pitbull, Jennifer Hudson, Chrisette Michele and many, many more. His 2004 breakout song, Mario’s “Let Me Love You,” was a #1 Hot 100 hit that Billboard later determined to be the eighth most successful single of the decade. His first three albums – 2006’s In My Own Words, 2007’s Because of You and 2008’s Year of the Gentleman – all went platinum in the US, bolstered by hits like “So Sick,” “Because of You” and the Grammy Award-winning “Miss Independent.” Five solo albums and countless hits later, Ne-Yo is still a major force on the music scene, currently serving as Senior Vice President of A&R at Motown Records.
The invitation-only event will be held at at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, CA.. They will will honor the songwriters and publishers of the most performed ASCAP songs on the 2013 R&B/hip-hop, rap and gospel charts.
Congrats to these (2) very talented brothers.
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