The vibrant tapestry of R&B and hip-hop music was celebrated in grand style at the 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. Held on August 28th at the prestigious Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, the annual ceremony recognized the unparalleled contributions of artists, songwriters, and producers who continue to shape the sonic landscape. This year’s event saw legendary artist, producer, and entrepreneur T-Pain bestowed with the esteemed BMI President’s Award, while rising hip-hop force GloRilla was honored with the BMI Impact Award and shared the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year title.
T-Pain’s Groundbreaking Career Honored with BMI President’s Award
T-Pain, a global cultural icon, received the night’s highest honor, the BMI President’s Award, acknowledging his immense career and profound global impact on music. Celebrated for his innovative approach and a formidable catalog of hit songs that have resonated across generations, T-Pain has consistently pushed musical boundaries. Throughout his illustrious career, he has sold over 50 million singles, accumulated billions of streams, and secured 10 #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His pioneering use of Auto-Tune revolutionized the industry, influencing countless artists and becoming a common vocal grammar across rap and R&B.
BMI lauded T-Pain for his creative vision and unwavering commitment to pushing musical boundaries, noting how his music continues to connect with fans worldwide. His extensive list of accolades includes 28 BMI Awards, three BMI Songwriter of the Year titles, and recognition as BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year. Beyond his musical achievements, T-Pain has also established himself as a successful entrepreneur and a prominent figure in the streaming world, underscoring his multifaceted influence. Upon accepting the award, T-Pain shared a powerful message: “Enjoy these moments but don’t let these define you. Make sure you find your own happiness; make sure you find what you have already inside you.” He further emphasized, “Every journey has a beginning, a middle and an end…. Don’t let anybody dictate your time and how fast you get to the finish line. Let yourself be your own time measurement.”
GloRilla’s Meteoric Rise Earns Impact Award and Songwriter Accolades
The prolific lyricist, songwriter, and performer GloRilla was celebrated with the BMI Impact Award, recognizing her groundbreaking artistry, creative vision, and significant influence on the future of music. Hailed as a transformative force in hip-hop, GloRilla’s bold voice and fearless creativity are actively shaping and inspiring the genre. Her rapid ascent began with the viral 2022 hit “FNF (Let’s Go)” and has since seen her release a string of successful tracks, including “Yeah Glo!,” “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME,” “TGIF,” and “Wanna Be” featuring Megan Thee Stallion, all of which have charted within the top 30 of the Hot 100.
GloRilla also shared the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year award in a three-way tie, alongside fellow honorees Tay Keith and Mike Dean. This recognition came for her contributions to three of the year’s most performed songs: “TGIF,” “Wanna Be,” and “Yeah Glo!”. Her debut album, Glorious, released in October 2024, surged to No. 5 on the Billboard 200, setting new benchmarks for female rappers with a 69,000-unit opening week. BMI praised her for her “groundbreaking artistry, creative vision, and influence on the future of music,” with Catherine Brewton, BMI’s VP of Creative, stating, “GloRilla’s bold voice and fearless creativity is currently shaping and inspiring the future of hip-hop, making her the perfect choice for this honor.”
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Named BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year
The night also saw Kendrick Lamar’s explosive track “Not Like Us” crowned BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year. Co-written by Lamar, the late Ray Charles, Sean Momberger, and Sounwave, the song achieved monumental success. It debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 2024 and maintained a record-breaking 53 consecutive weeks on the chart, solidifying its status as the longest-charting rap song in history. The track’s immense popularity and cultural resonance made it a clear standout for the year’s top song.
Recognizing the Architects of Sound and Industry Leaders
Beyond the top artist honors, the 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards also celebrated the vital behind-the-scenes talent that powers the music industry. Sounwave was named BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year for his extensive work, including his contributions to Kendrick Lamar’s highly successful songs such as “Euphoria,” “6:16 in LA,” and the Song of the Year winner “Not Like Us.” Sony Music Publishing was recognized as Publisher of the Year, having represented 23 of the year’s most-performed songs, including hits like “Agora Hills,” “Not Like Us,” and “MILLION DOLLAR BABY.”
The evening also highlighted emerging talent through a “Know Them Now” segment, featuring performances by artists like Eli Derby, TA Thomas, and Lekan. The ceremony underscored BMI’s commitment to celebrating the diverse and dynamic forces within R&B and hip-hop, recognizing both established legends and the next wave of innovators.
As BMI continues its legacy of championing music creators, the 2025 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards served as a powerful testament to the genre’s enduring influence and the creative brilliance that drives it forward. The recognition of T-Pain and GloRilla, alongside other top artists and creators, highlights the rich cultural contributions that R&B and hip-hop music bring to the global stage.
