Los Angeles, CA – August 29, 2025 – The Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles served as the vibrant backdrop for the 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, an exclusive celebration of the genre’s most influential artists, songwriters, producers, and publishers. The esteemed ceremony, held on Thursday, August 28th, paid tribute to the creative titans shaping the soundscape of modern music, with legendary artist T-Pain receiving the prestigious BMI President’s Award and rising star GloRilla being honored with the BMI Impact Award.
T-Pain Earns Coveted BMI President’s Award for Enduring Influence
The night’s highest honor, the BMI President’s Award, was presented to GRAMMY Award-winning artist, producer, and songwriter T-Pain. This accolade recognizes his profound and lasting impact on music, celebrating a career spanning two decades marked by groundbreaking innovation and a formidable catalog of hit songs. T-Pain, whose pioneering use of Auto-Tune revolutionized vocal production and became a defining characteristic of early 21st-century R&B and hip-hop, has sold over 50 million singles globally and achieved ten #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. His extensive list of accolades already 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 award, T-Pain offered words of encouragement, advising fellow artists to “define their own timelines and find happiness within themselves.” His influence extends beyond music, with successful ventures in entrepreneurship and streaming, cementing his status as a true cultural icon.
GloRilla Recognized with BMI Impact Award and Songwriter of the Year Title
Adding to a banner year, rapper GloRilla was honored with the BMI Impact Award, acknowledging her “groundbreaking artistry, creative vision, and influence on the future of music.” Her meteoric rise, ignited by the 2022 viral sensation “FNF (Let’s Go),” has established her as a fearless voice in contemporary hip-hop. GloRilla also shared the prestigious title of BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year, tying with fellow hitmakers Tay Keith and Mike Dean, each recognized for penning three of the year’s most performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs. Her debut album, “Glorious,” released in October 2024, achieved significant commercial success, marking a new benchmark for female rappers. In her acceptance speech, GloRilla urged aspiring artists to “keep your foot on the gas” and persevere against doubt, embodying the spirit of innovation celebrated at the awards.
Celebrating the Architects of Chart-Topping Hits
The 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards also cast a spotlight on the creators behind the most performed songs of the year. Kendrick Lamar’s powerful track “Not Like Us,” co-written by Ray Charles, Sean Momberger, and Sounwave, was crowned BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year. The song’s immense cultural impact and chart longevity, including a record-breaking 53 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, underscore its status as a defining anthem.
Mark “Sounwave” Spears received the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year award for his extensive work, including his vital contributions to “Not Like Us” and other tracks for Kendrick Lamar, as well as his production for artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Sony Music Publishing was celebrated as Publisher of the Year, representing 23 of the past year’s most-performed songs, including “Agora Hills,” “Not Like Us,” and “MILLION DOLLAR BABY.” The ceremony highlighted the collaborative nature of hit-making, recognizing the collective talent that drives the music industry forward.
A Night of Recognition and Artistic Celebration
The evening, hosted by BMI’s President & CEO Mike O’Neill, Executive Vice President Mike Steinberg, and Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton, was a testament to the vitality and evolution of R&B and hip-hop music. The event acknowledged the songwriters, producers, and publishers behind BMI’s repertoire of over 22.4 million musical works, celebrating the 35 most-performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs in the United States. Attendees and performers included a roster of top artists and creators, such as ATL Jacob, Baby Tate, BigXthaPlug, Soulja Boy, Ty Dolla $ign, Brent Faiyaz, and Eric Bellinger, among many others, contributing to an electric atmosphere that celebrated the artistry and business acumen of the genre.
The BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards continue to serve as a crucial platform, not only honoring established legends but also championing the emerging voices and creative forces that propel the culture forward. As T-Pain and GloRilla accepted their well-deserved accolades, the event underscored the enduring power of hip-hop and R&B music, celebrating the stories and sounds that resonate globally and continue to inspire millions.
