Behind the Red Carpet: 2018 BMI R&B and Hip Hop Awards

This week I had the chance to attend the 2018 BMI R&B and Hip Hop Awards and it was a phenomenal experience. From the Red Carpet to the star-studded attendee list, to the amazing show itself. This year, BMI honored the Legen, Ms. Janet Jackson with their Icon Award.

Such a prestigious award from such a prestigious brand was coupled with an amazing execution. The tribute was show stopper after show stopper. From the dance group from the 411 Dance Troup, to my favorite highlights of the night from Normani, Teyana Taylor, Jussie Smollett and of course the acceptance speech.

First off, let me tell you how Janet snatched all of us for the beauty GAWDZZZZZZZ! Her outfit was on point to the 3rd degree. Her hair was big and beautiful and her face was beat. She truly showed up and showed out.

Before we get to the show, take a look at a few of my favorite conversations on the red carpet. I was behind the camera so a special shout out to Latoya aka #SheThoro for holding it down as my correspondent.

After the red carpet, we headed to the show. To sum it up in one word, it was AWESOME! Hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President, Creative, Atlanta Catherine Brewton, with Lifestyle Specialist Kenny Burns as co-host the night was filled with comedy, character, and class.

Honoring Janet Jackson caused for BMI to come out the bag with some amazing talent. The audience was impressed, Janet enjoyed, and to go down memory lane to some of Janet’s hits was amazing.

For more images, head over to our Instagram to see what went down on the carpet.

On 08/30/18 BMI® (Broadcast Music, Inc)® celebrated the songwriters, producers, and publishers of the year’s most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs during the 2018 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards held at The Woodruff Arts Center’s Symphony Hall in Atlanta. Multiple award-winning superstar Janet Jackson took home the night’s highest honor of BMI Icon in recognition of her groundbreaking career as one of the most influential entertainers of all time.

Hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President, Creative, Atlanta Catherine Brewton, with Lifestyle Specialist Kenny Burns as co-host, the evening included stellar performances by some of the hottest artists on the music scene. The night began with a special tribute to the late Aretha Franklin, who was part of the BMI family for 50 years, with Tamela Mann singing a rendition of “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” followed by “You’ve Got a Friend.” Keri Hilson and BMI’s Wardell Malloy introduced Atlanta rapper Derez De’shon as the 2018 BMI Social Star, presented by PrettyLittleThing.com before he took to the stage with an energetic performance of his hit “Hardaway.”

The tribute portion of the evening kicked off with Ciara introducing the 411 Dance Troupe, comprised of 50 kids from all over the South, as they performed a dance routine choreographed by Sean Bankhead, who has worked with Janet Jackson for many years. The performances continued with H.E.R who performed a medley of “Black Cat” on guitar and sang “Any Time, Any Place.” Jussie Smollett from the FOX smash, “Empire” followed with “That’s the Way Love Goes,” Justine Skye sang a beautiful version of “Let’s Wait Awhile” and Normani had the audience grooving to “The Pleasure Principle.” Teyana Taylor closed out the tribute performances with a sultry rendition of Jackson’s hit, “I Get Lonely,” followed by Missy Elliot who made a surprise appearance and spoke eloquently about her relationship with Jackson while quoting her lyrics throughout the touching speech.

The show also honored the top producers of the year and the songwriters of the 35 best-performing R&B/Hip-Hop songs in the U.S. from BMI’s repertoire of over 13 million musical works. Metro Boomin grabbed the title of Producer of Year for the third year in a row and the Songwriter of the Year title for penning eight of the year’s most performed songs, including “Bad and Boujee,” “Bank Account” and “Mask Off” to name a few. Song of the Year went to “I Feel It Coming” written by Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk, and Universal Music Publishing Group claimed Publisher of the Year for the fourth year in a row for having 15 of the most performed songs of the year.

As a BMI Icon, Jackson joins an elite group of songwriters who have received BMI’s Icon Award for their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” Previous recipients include Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, James Brown, Al Green and Snoop Dogg, among others.

MAJOR WINNERS: 2018 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards

R&B/HIP-HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
I Feel It Coming
Thomas Bangalter
Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing

R&B/HIP-HOP SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne
Bad and Boujee
Bank Account
Both
Bounce Back
Congratulations
Mask Off
Tunnel Vision
X

R&B/HIP-HOP PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR
Universal Music Publishing Group
Bad and Boujee
Bank Account
Both
Bounce Back
Congratulations
Goosebumps
iSpy
Love Galore
Mask Off
Rake It Up
Redbone
rockstar
Tunnel Vision
X
Young Dumb & Broke

R&B/HIP-HOP PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne

ICON AWARD
Janet Jackson

SOCIAL STAR
Derez De’Shon

35 BMI Most Performed R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

1-800-273-8255
Alessia Cara (SOCAN)
Robert “Logic” Hall
Arjun “6ix” Ivatury
Khalid
Dylan “Sir Dylan” Wiggins
Sony/ATV Ballad
Three Oh One Productions
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

BAD AND BOUJEE
Robert “G Koop” Mandell
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne
Irving Music
Pluto Mars Music
RM Moods And Colors
These Are Pulse Songs

BAD THINGS
Stephen John Basil
Camila Cabello
Machine Gun Kelly
Annuity Songs
For Casie Publishing LLC
Milamoon Songs
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Stephen Basil Publishing

BANK ACCOUNT
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne
Songs of Universal, Inc.

BODAK YELLOW
Laquan Green
Dieuson “Kodak Black” Octave
Jorden “Pardison Fontaine” Thorpe
Anthony “J.White Did It” White
BMG Platinum Songs US
Dollaz N Dealz Entertainment
Manny Stay With The Hits
Sanctuary Collective Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Ballad
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

BOTH
Southside
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne
Irving Music
Pluto Mars Music
Royal Legend Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

BOUNCE BACK
Samuel “Smash David” Jimenez
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne
Kanye West
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Hits Of The Future
Irving Music
Please Gimme My Publishing, Inc.
Pluto Mars Music
Smash David Publishing LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

CAROLINE
Irvin “Pasqué” Mejia
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

CHILL BILL
Bernard Herrmann
EMI-Beechwood Music Corporation

CONGRATULATIONS
Adam “Frank Dukes” Feeney (SOCAN)
Post Malone
Austin Rosen
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne
Electric Feel Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Irving Music
Pluto Mars Music
Posty Publishing
Sam Fam Beats
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC

FAKE LOVE
Leon Huff
Gene McFadden
John Cavadus Whitehead, Sr.
Mijac Music
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

GOOSEBUMPS
Kevin Gomringer
Tim Gomringer
Daveon “Yung Exclusive” Jackson
Brock “Marciano” Korsan
Travis Scott
Annuity Songs
Nasrok Music Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Travis Scott Music
Yex Publishing

HUMBLE.
Asheton Terrence O’Neil Hogan
Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

I FEEL IT COMING
Thomas Bangalter
Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing

I’M THE ONE
Nick Balding
Robert Clifton Brackins III
Chance the Rapper
DJ Khaled
August Grant
Lil Wayne
David Park
BMG Platinum Songs US
Give Thanks Publishing
Ninth City Sound
Primary Wave Beats
Settled Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Young Money Publishing, Inc.

iSPY
Malik “Lege Kale” Keith
Lil Yachty
Boat Boy’s Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.

LOCATION
Alfredo Gonzalez
Olatunji Ige
Samuel “Smash David” Jimenez
Khalid
Bajram Kurti (GEMA)
Joshua Scruggs
Brain Habit
Hits Of The Future
Legado Music Publishing
Princess Lola Two Music
Sam Fam Beats
Smash David Publishing LLC
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Winners Circle Worldwide Publishing

LOVE GALORE
Cody “ThankGod4Cody” Fayne
Carter Lang
Travis Scott
SZA
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
ThankGod4Cody Publishing
Travis Scott Music

LOVE ME NOW
John Legend
Blake Mills
John Ryan
BIG DEAL Beats
BMG Platinum Songs US
BMG Sapphire Songs
Bob Erotik Music
Break Mirrors Publishing
John Legend Publishing
Music of BIG DEAL
The Family Songbook
Words & Music

LOVE.
Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith
Teddy Walton
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Teddy Walton Publishing

LOYALTY
Rihanna
Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith
Monica Fenty Music Publishing
Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

MASK OFF
Tommy Z. Butler
Future
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne
Irving Music
Nayvadius Maximus Music
Pluto Mars Music
Siieda Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.

PASSIONFRUIT
Nana Rogues
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.

RAKE IT UP
Samuel “30Roc” Gloade
Nicki Minaj
Too Short
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Srand Music
Universal Music-Z Songs
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

REDBONE
Childish Gambino
George Clinton
William Earl “Bootsy” Collins
Gary Cooper
Ludwig Göransson
Childish Industries
Grow Your Own Music
Ludovin Music
Mashamug Music
Songs of Roc Nation Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

ROCKSTAR
Post Malone
Austin Rosen
Jo-Vaughn Virginie
Electric Feel Music
JoeyBad Publishing
Posty Publishing
Reservoir 416
Songs of Universal, Inc.

SLIPPERY
Grant “Deko” Decouto
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

THAT’S WHAT I LIKE
Ray Romulus
Jonathan Yip
Music for Milo
Please Enjoy the Music
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

T-SHIRT
Trevon “XL” Campbell
Brandon Eric Rackley
James Bernard Rosser, Jr.
Cory “Born Immaculate” Way
Born Immaculate Music
Crater Field Music
Kid Genius Club Publishing
London Lee Publishing
Reservoir 416

TUNNEL VISION
Kevin Gomringer
Tim Gomringer
Dieuson “Kodak Black” Octave
Southside
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne
Royal Legend Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

UNFORGETTABLE
1Mind
Khalif “Swae Lee” Brown
Carlo “Illangelo” Montagnese (SOCAN)
Christopher “C.P DUBB” Washington
Concord Copyrights
CP Dubb Music
Cutcraft Sounds
Songs By 1Mind
Songs of Hear The Art
Sony/ATV Ballad
These Are Pulse Songs
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

WILD THOUGHTS
DJ Khaled
Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis
Karl Perazzo
Raul Rekow
Rihanna
Carlos Santana
Bryson Tiller
BMG Platinum Songs US
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Give Thanks Publishing
Monica Fenty Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Ballad
Stellabella Music
Te Bass Music, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Wixen Music Publishing, Inc.

X
Future
Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne
Irving Music
Nayvadius Maximus Music
Pluto Mars Music

XO TOUR LLIF3
J. W. Lucas
Bryan Lamar “TM88” Simmons
BMG Platinum Songs US
Paycheck Publishing Unlimited
TM88 Music Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

YOUNG DUMB & BROKE
Khalid
Joel Little (APRA)
Taley Riley
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Lion’s Key Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.