Khalid’s crossover smash “Talk” was named song of the year at BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. It’s the 20th anniversary of this awards event. Khalid was named songwriter of the year at this year’s BMI Pop Awards.
J. Cole and Post Malone tied as songwriter of the year. Between them, the two hip-hop power players wrote six of BMI’s most performed R&B/hip-hop songs in 2019 — Cole’s “A Lot,” “Middle Child” and “The London,” and Malone’s “Goodbyes,” “Sunflower” and “Wow.” This marks the second year in a row that Malone has been named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop songwriter of the year. Earlier this year, he was also crowned BMI pop songwriter of the year at the BMI Pop Awards.
Nick Mira was named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop producer of the year for having 10 BMI songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart over the past year, including two collaborations with the late Juice WRLD. Mira has also worked with such hip-hop heavyweights as Post Malone, Gunna, Lil Tecca and Young Thug.
Seven other producers were also recognized for having five or more songs on the Hot 100 chart over the past year. They are Charlie Handsome, Eminem, London On Da Track, Mike Dean, Tay Keith, Taz Taylor and Wesley Glass (aka Wheezy Beatz).
For the second year in a row, Sony/ATV Music Publishing was named publisher of the year for representing 20 of BMI’s best performing R&B/Hip-Hop songs of 2019.
Bobby Fishscale is the 2020 BMI social star, an award presented to the nominated affiliate who has the most engagement with their social followers over a 10-day voting period. Previous winners include Mac Miller, Machine Gun Kelly, Zendaya, SoMo, Joey Bada$$, Kashdoll, Derez De’Shon and NLE Choppa.
BMI also celebrated the songwriters, producers and publishers of the 35 most-performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs of the previous year. The year’s group of honorees includes 41 first-time R&B/Hip-Hop award recipients.
“We are honored to recognize the accomplishments of our exceptional family of songwriters, producers and publishers,” said Catherine Brewton, vice president creative, Atlanta. “For the past 20 years, I’ve watched their artistry shape the landscape of hip-hop and R&B and witnessed the undeniable influence their creative works have had on other genres.”
For the complete list of winners and to view exclusive content, including video messages, performances, and a look back on the last 20 years of the award show, go to bmi.com/randbhiphop2020.
