EARTH, WIND & FIRE HONORED WITH
ASCAP RHYTHM & SOUL HERITAGE AWARD
DR. DRE AND CHAD HUGO NAMED SONGWRITERS OF THE YEAR
EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING HONORED AS PUBLISHER OF THE
YEAR
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
(ASCAP) hosted its 15th Annual Rhythm and Soul Music
Awards on Monday, June 17th, at the Beverly Hilton
Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA.
Awards were presented to the songwriters and publishers
of the top ASCAP songs of the 2001 R&B/Hip-Hop,
Rap, Dance and Reggae charts. Murder Inc. recording
artist Ashanti and hitmaker/producer DJ Quik, both
ASCAP members, served as hosts for the Awards show
and celebration.
Marilyn Bergman, ASCAP President and three-time Academy
award-winning lyricist commented, "The women
and men we recognize are musical trend-setters. On
this occasion, with so many creative people gathered
together, it is fitting that we pay special tribute
to the groundbreaking and legendary group, Earth,
Wind & Fire. Their music is memorable, joyous
and endlessly inventive. They have created a lasting
body of work that transcends category and will continue
to enrich generations to come. We are delighted to
present them with the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage
Award."
Previous recipients of the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul
Heritage Award have been Chaka Khan and Peabo Bryson.
The Songwriter of the Year Award went to Dr. Dre
and Chad Hugo. Each had three award-winning songs.
Chad Hugo’s winning titles were: "Cross
the Border," Danger (Been So Long)" and
"I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)." Andre
"Dr. Dre" Young’s winning titles were:
"Family Affair," "Let Me Blow Your
Mind" and "What Would You Do?"
Publisher of the Year honors went to EMI Music Publishing/EMI
Jobete Music Publishing, with 23 award-winning songs.
"Independent Women Part I" written by Samuel
"Tone" Barnes and Beyoncé Knowles
from the movie Charlie’s Angels was honored
with the Top Soundtrack Song of the Year.
The Top Rap Song was "My Baby" written
by Berry Gordy, Jr., Alphonso Mizell and Freddie Perren.
Top Dance Song went to "All For You" written
by Wayne Garfield, James "Jimmy Jam" Harris,
Terry Lewis and Mauro Malavasi. Bob Marley was named
Top Reggae Artist.
The Awards evening included live performances by
some of the most successful talents in the world of
"Rhythm & Soul" music including: Ashanti,
DJ Quik, Mary Mary, Chanté Moore and Kenny
Lattimore.
A special highlight was the presentation by musical
giant Stevie Wonder, award-winning songwriter producer
Jimmy Jam and ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn
Bergman of the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award
to the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire in recognition
of their unique and influential artistry. The audience
was also treated to a musical tribute to EWF by Rachelle
Farrell, Ledisi, Mary Mary, Rahsaan Paterson and Phil
Perry along with the Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute
Band featuring musical director Michael Bearden.
Additional honorees and guests who attended the event
were: Musiq, Snoop Dogg, George Duke, Paula Abdul,
The Emotions, Eve, Tank, Joe, LisaRay, Alllen Payne,
Angela Winbush, Toni Braxton, Warren G., Cypress Hill,
City High, Beres Hammond, among others.
ASCAP is a membership association of over 140,000
composers, songwriters and music publishers of all
genres of music. ASCAP members are the dominant creative
force in music. ASCAP songwriters secured ninety percent
of the Top Ten R&B and Rap singles based on Billboard’s
2001-year end charts. The world’s largest performing
rights organization, ASCAP protects the rights of
its members by licensing and collecting royalties
for the public performance of their copyrighted works.
ASCAP is the only performing rights organization whose
Board of Directors is made up solely of writers and
publishers elected by the membership.
The ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards are sponsored
by XM Satellite Radio, Guitar Center, Blu Line Clothing
Co., Outkast Clothing Co., Game Over NYC Athletic
Wear, Accent Aromas, Real Cosmetics Lipstick, Neuchatel
Chocolates, Alterna Shampoo, Joico Hair Products,
Sephora Bath Gel, Fiji Water, Orly Nailpolish, Toni
& Tina Cosmetics and Liz Clairborne.
- Complete
List of Award Winners -
ASCAP 15th ANNUAL RHYTHM & SOUL AWARDS
