The 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, held on August 28th at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, celebrated the year’s most impactful music creators, with legendary artist T-Pain receiving the prestigious BMI President’s Award and rising star GloRilla accepting the BMI Impact Award.
This annual event, hosted by BMI’s EVP and Chief Revenue & Creative Officer Mike Steinberg and VP, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton, serves as a cornerstone for recognizing the artists, songwriters, and publishers behind the 35 most-performed R&B and hip-hop songs in the U.S. over the past year. The ceremony also announced key honors such as Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Producer of the Year, and Publisher of the Year, alongside performances from emerging artists.
T-Pain: Acknowledged with the BMI President’s Award
T-Pain, born Faheem Rasheed Najm, was bestowed with the BMI President’s Award, the evening’s highest honor. This award is reserved for artists who have achieved exceptional milestones and possess a profound influence that has demonstrably shifted the landscape of music. Throughout his illustrious career, T-Pain has become synonymous with innovation, particularly for popularizing the creative use of Auto-Tune, which fundamentally altered the sonic textures of R&B and hip-hop. His distinctive vocal style has left an indelible mark on the genre, influencing countless artists across multiple generations.
Since joining BMI in 2005, T-Pain has amassed an impressive collection of 28 BMI Awards, including three BMI Songwriter of the Year titles and a BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year award. His commercial success is undeniable, with over 50 million singles sold worldwide and a string of Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits. Among his many accolades are two Grammy Awards and a win as the ‘Monster’ on the inaugural season of ‘The Masked Singer,’ showcasing his vocal versatility beyond his signature Auto-Tuned sound. Accepting the President’s Award, T-Pain shared words of wisdom, stating, “Every journey has a beginning, a middle and an end…. Don’t let anyone dictate your time or how fast you get to the finish line. Let yourself be your own time measurement.” He also expressed gratitude to his team and supporters, acknowledging those who have been part of his two-decade-long journey.
GloRilla: Celebrated with the BMI Impact Award
GloRilla, a dynamic force in contemporary hip-hop, received the BMI Impact Award, recognizing her as a “transformative force in hip-hop” and a leader for female artists. The award specifically commends her “groundbreaking artistry, creative vision, and influence on the future of music.” GloRilla’s meteoric rise began in 2022 with the viral hit “F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” a track that catapulted her into the mainstream consciousness. Her authentic style, unfiltered lyrics, and undeniable charisma have quickly established her as a significant voice in the genre.
Beyond the Impact Award, GloRilla was also named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year, sharing the title in a three-way tie with producers Tay Keith and Mike Dean. This recognition celebrates her contributions to three of the year’s most-performed songs. Since joining BMI in 2019, she has earned five BMI Awards and multiple Grammy nominations. Previously, she was honored with the Powerhouse Award at Billboard Women in Music, solidifying her status as a premier rapper. Upon receiving the award, GloRilla encouraged aspiring artists, urging them to “keep your foot on the gas” and to disregard doubters, stating, “Don’t let anyone tell y’all what y’all can’t do because a lot of people told me what I can’t do.”
Celebrating the Year’s Top Music Stories
The 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards ceremony also highlighted the creators behind the year’s most successful songs. Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping hit “Not Like Us” was crowned BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year. Multiple Grammy-winning hitmaker Sounwave was named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year for his extensive work, including collaborations with Kendrick Lamar. Sony Music Publishing earned the title of Publisher of the Year, representing 23 of the most-performed songs. The event also featured performances from artists like BigXthaPlug and BossMan Dlow, as well as emerging talents in the ‘Know Them Now’ segment.
The BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards continue to be a vital platform for acknowledging the immense talent and creative output that fuels the R&B and hip-hop industries. By honoring both established legends like T-Pain and breakthrough artists like GloRilla, BMI underscores the genre’s rich history and its promising future, celebrating the songwriters, producers, and publishers who shape the sounds that dominate global charts and resonate with millions of fans.
