Los Angeles, CA – August 29, 2025 – The Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles was the epicenter of R&B and hip-hop excellence last night, as Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) hosted its highly anticipated 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. The star-studded, invitation-only ceremony paid tribute to the artists, songwriters, producers, and publishers who have shaped the sonic landscape over the past year and beyond, with legendary artist T-Pain receiving the prestigious BMI President’s Award and rising star GloRilla honored with the BMI Impact Award. The night also celebrated the year’s top-performing songs and the creative minds behind them, solidifying the enduring power of these genres in contemporary music.
T-Pain: A Presidential Tribute to an Auto-Tune Pioneer
The BMI President’s Award, one of the evening’s highest honors, was presented to the multi-talented T-Pain. This accolade recognizes artists whose careers have demonstrated exceptional influence and have significantly shifted the sound of music across generations. T-Pain, a Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, and songwriter, has built a formidable catalog that includes chart-topping hits and transformative collaborations. Since his emergence in the mid-2000s, his innovative and expressive use of Auto-Tune fundamentally altered vocal production in hip-hop and R&B, paving the way for countless artists who followed.
With a career spanning over two decades, T-Pain has sold over 50 million singles globally and boasts numerous #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. His impressive list of accolades includes 28 BMI Awards, three BMI Songwriter of the Year titles, and the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year award. Accepting the President’s Award, T-Pain shared words of encouragement, urging fellow artists to embrace their own timelines and find inner happiness. “Don’t let anyone dictate your time or how fast you get to the finish line. Let yourself be your own time measurement,” he advised, expressing gratitude to his team and family for their unwavering support. Past recipients of the President’s Award include luminaries such as Ludacris, Pitbull, Taylor Swift, and Benny Blanco, placing T-Pain in esteemed company.
GloRilla: The BMI Impact Award Honors a Hip-Hop Game-Changer
Representing the vibrant future of hip-hop, GloRilla was presented with the BMI Impact Award. This honor celebrates her groundbreaking artistry, creative vision, and her profound influence on the trajectory of music. GloRilla, a prolific lyricist and performer, has rapidly ascended the ranks since her breakout in 2022 with the viral hit “F.N.F. (Let’s Go).” Her bold voice, fearless creativity, and authentic storytelling have cemented her as a transformative force, inspiring a new wave of artists.
In addition to the Impact Award, GloRilla was also recognized as BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year, sharing the title in a three-way tie with Tay Keith and Mike Dean, each contributing three of the year’s most-performed songs. Her debut album, “Glorious,” released in October 2024, achieved remarkable success, marking the highest opening-week sales for a female rapper that year. Speaking about her honor, GloRilla encouraged aspiring artists to stay driven: “Keep y’all’s foot on the gas. Don’t let nobody tell y’all what y’all can’t do.” Her influence is palpable, with previous honorees of the BMI Impact Award including Ice Spice, Tems, and RAYE.
Celebrating the Top Stories in R&B and Hip-Hop
The 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards ceremony also highlighted the creators behind the year’s most successful tracks. Kendrick Lamar’s anthemic “Not Like Us” was crowned BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year, underscoring its massive cultural and commercial impact. Mark “Sounwave” Spears was named Producer of the Year, and Sony Music Publishing earned the title of Publisher of the Year, reflecting their significant contributions to the industry’s top stories.
The event showcased BMI’s commitment to celebrating the entire ecosystem of music creation. Attendees were treated to performances from emerging talents, including BigXthaPlug, BossMan Dlow, Eli Derby, TA Thomas, and Lekan, highlighting the next generation of R&B and hip-hop talent. The ceremony also recognized BMI’s 35 Most-Performed R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, acknowledging the collective efforts of songwriters, producers, and publishers.
A Night of Influence and Innovation
The 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards served as a powerful testament to the enduring artistry and innovation within the R&B and hip-hop genres. By honoring figures like T-Pain for his foundational impact and GloRilla for her groundbreaking current influence, BMI underscored the continuous evolution and vitality of this musical landscape. The night celebrated not just individual achievements but the collective spirit that drives music forward, creating stories that resonate with millions worldwide.
