The 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards brought together the industry’s elite on Thursday, August 28th, at the prestigious Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The star-studded, invitation-only event served as a vibrant testament to the enduring influence and creative innovation within contemporary R&B and hip-hop music, honoring two titans of the genres: T-Pain and GloRilla.
T-Pain: A President’s Award for a Sonic Architect
In recognition of his remarkable two-decade career and his profound, cross-generational impact, GRAMMY Award-winning artist, producer, and songwriter T-Pain was bestowed with the coveted BMI President’s Award. This prestigious honor, the evening’s highest accolade, is reserved for artists whose creative vision and global influence have significantly shifted the sound of music. T-Pain, a true innovator, has reshaped the sonic landscape with his groundbreaking use of Auto-Tune, masterfully transforming a debated effect into a signature expressive instrument that defined an era and continues to inspire artists across genres.
With a formidable catalog of hit songs that have resonated across generations, T-Pain has sold over 50 million singles and accumulated billions of streams. His career boasts ten Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits, including anthems like “Buy U a Drank,” “I’m Sprung,” and “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper).” Beyond his chart success, T-Pain has a history of accolades from BMI, having previously earned 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 a powerful message with fellow creators: “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.” His words emphasized the importance of artistic journey and self-definition within the music industry.
GloRilla: Impact Award and Songwriter of the Year Dominance
The dynamic GloRilla was celebrated with two significant honors: the BMI Impact Award and the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year title, which she shared in a three-way tie. The BMI Impact Award recognizes her “groundbreaking artistry, creative vision, and influence on the future of music,” cementing her status as a transformative force in hip-hop. BMI specifically lauded her “bold voice and fearless creativity” for shaping and inspiring the future of the genre, making her a perfect choice for this impactful recognition.
GloRilla’s meteoric rise since her breakout 2022 hit “FNF (Let’s Go)” has been remarkable. She has since delivered a string of chart-topping entries, including “Yeah Glo!,” “Wanna Be” (featuring Megan Thee Stallion), and “TGIF.” Her debut album, “Glorious,” released in October 2024, reached number five on the Billboard 200, setting new ground for female rappers. She has also earned Grammy nominations and was recognized as Billboard’s “Hottest Female Rapper of 2024.” Accepting the Impact Award, GloRilla delivered an inspiring message to aspiring artists: “Keep y’all’s foot on the gas. Don’t let nobody tell y’all what y’all can’t do. Because it’s a lot of people that tell me what I can’t do.” Her shared title for Songwriter of the Year, alongside Tay Keith and Mike Dean, further highlights her prolific pen and significant contribution to the year’s most-performed tracks.
Recognizing the Year’s Top Creators
The 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards also celebrated the craft behind the industry’s biggest hits. Kendrick Lamar’s ubiquitous anthem “Not Like Us” was crowned BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year. Co-written by Lamar, Ray Charles, Sean Momberger, and Sounwave, the track achieved monumental success, debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the longest-charting rap song in the chart’s history, showcasing the powerful intersection of timely subject matter and exceptional songcraft.
In the songwriting arena, GloRilla shared the Songwriter of the Year title with fellow hitmakers Tay Keith and Mike Dean, each recognized for co-writing three of BMI’s 35 most-performed songs. Tay Keith’s contributions included “First Person Shooter,” “Get It Sexyy,” and “MELTDOWN,” while Mike Dean’s recognized works featured “One Of The Girls,” “Popular,” and “Type Shit.” The esteemed Sounwave took home the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year award for his extensive work, notably with Kendrick Lamar on “Euphoria,” “6:16 in LA,” and the Song of the Year winner “Not Like Us,” as well as credits with artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. On the publishing side, Sony Music Publishing was named Publisher of the Year for representing 23 of the most-performed songs, underscoring their significant impact on the industry’s top stories.
A Night of Performances and Industry Celebration
The ceremony was further energized by compelling performances from notable artists. BigXthaPlug kicked off the night with “The Largest” and his BMI Award-winning track “Mmhmm,” followed by BossMan Dlow, who delivered “Mr Pot Scraper” and his own BMI Award-winning song “Get In With Me.” The “Know Them Now” segment provided a platform for emerging talent, featuring soulful performances by Eli Derby (“Cadillac Dream”), TA Thomas (“Preach”), and Lekan (“Always”), highlighting the next wave of R&B and hip-hop artists.
Hosted by BMI executives including President & CEO Mike O’Neill, EVP and Chief Creative & Revenue Officer Mike Steinberg, and Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton, the event celebrated the collective artistry that drives the music industry. The night underscored BMI’s ongoing commitment to recognizing and advocating for the creators behind the music that defines our culture.
