Los Angeles, CA – August 28, 2025 – The vibrant heart of the music industry pulsed with energy last night as the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles hosted the highly anticipated 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. The esteemed ceremony celebrated the titans and emerging stars shaping the soundscape of contemporary R&B and hip-hop, with legendary artist T-Pain receiving the prestigious BMI President’s Award and breakout star GloRilla honored with the BMI Impact Award. The event also recognized the industry’s top songwriters, producers, and publishers behind the year’s most-performed tracks, underscoring the collaborative artistry that drives these genres forward.
T-Pain Honored with BMI President’s Award
Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, songwriter, and entrepreneur T-Pain was bestowed with the BMI President’s Award, the evening’s highest honor. This accolade celebrates his monumental career, distinguished by a formidable catalog of hit songs that have resonated across generations and significantly shifted the sonic landscape of music. T-Pain’s innovative use of Auto-Tune, which he pioneered in the mid-2000s, transformed a debated effect into an embraced artistic tool. His legacy includes chart-toppers like “Buy U a Drank,” “I’m Sprung,” and “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper),” with sales exceeding 50 million singles and numerous Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits. Prior to this honor, T-Pain had already accumulated 28 BMI Awards, including three BMI Songwriter of the Year titles and the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year award. Accepting the award, T-Pain encouraged fellow artists to embrace their own timelines and find inner fulfillment, stating, “Don’t let anyone dictate your time … Let yourself be your own time measurement.”
GloRilla Earns BMI Impact Award and Songwriter of the Year Title
The dynamic rapper GloRilla was presented with the BMI Impact Award, recognizing her groundbreaking artistry, creative vision, and significant influence on the future of hip-hop. Her rapid ascent in the industry has been marked by unapologetic lyrics, anthemic delivery, and a cultural presence that extends far beyond the charts. GloRilla’s breakout success, particularly with her 2022 viral hit “FNF (Let’s Go),” led to her signing with Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group and the release of her acclaimed debut album, “Glorious,” which achieved the highest opening week for a female rapper on the Billboard 200 in 2024. Furthermore, GloRilla shared the title of BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year in a notable three-way tie with Tay Keith and Mike Dean, each co-writing three of the 35 most-performed songs of the year. GloRilla was recognized for her contributions to “TGIF,” “Wanna Be,” and “Yeah Glo!”
“Not Like Us” Dominates as Song of the Year
The night’s top musical achievement, BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year, was awarded to Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping track “Not Like Us.” The song, co-written by Lamar, Sounwave, Ray Charles, and Sean Momberger, achieved massive success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 2024 and setting a record as the longest-charting rap song in chart history.
Sounwave Named Producer of the Year
Mark “Sounwave” Spears was celebrated as BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year for his extensive work, notably with longtime collaborator Kendrick Lamar. His production credits include Lamar’s critically acclaimed tracks “Euphoria,” “6:16 in LA,” and the Song of the Year winner “Not Like Us,” as well as producing Lamar’s entire “GNX” album. Sounwave’s acclaimed production also extends to collaborations with artists such as Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.
Sony Music Publishing Reigns as Publisher of the Year
Sony Music Publishing was recognized as BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Publisher of the Year, a testament to its representation of 23 of the year’s most-performed songs, including major hits like “Agora Hills,” “Not Like Us,” “MILLION DOLLAR BABY,” “Mmhmm,” “On My Mama,” and “Saturn.”
Celebrating a Milestone Year for R&B and Hip-Hop
The 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards also highlighted the significant contributions of numerous other artists, with 71 first-time BMI R&B/Hip-Hop award winners recognized throughout the evening. Performances from artists like BigXthaPlug and BossMan Dlow energized the crowd, while the “Know Them Now” segment showcased emerging talents such as Eli Derby, TA Thomas, and Lekan. The event, hosted by BMI’s EVP and Chief Revenue & Creative Officer Mike Steinberg and BMI’s Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton, served as a powerful affirmation of the ongoing evolution and cultural dominance of R&B and hip-hop music. The continued success of these genres, driven by innovative artists, producers, and publishers, ensures their central role in the global music conversation for years to come. This year’s awards underscored the dynamic nature of hip-hop and R&B, celebrating both established legends and the rising stars who are charting the course for the future of these influential music styles.
