The 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, held on August 28th at the prestigious Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, celebrated the architects of contemporary rhythm and rhyme, honoring titans T-Pain and GloRilla with top career accolades. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), a leading rights management organization, presented its highest honor, the BMI President’s Award, to the innovative T-Pain, recognizing his profound and enduring influence on music across generations. Simultaneously, the impactful GloRilla received the BMI Impact Award, acknowledging her groundbreaking artistry and significant contributions to the future of hip-hop.
T-Pain Honored with BMI President’s Award for Pioneering Career
The BMI President’s Award, reserved for artists whose careers have demonstrably shifted the sound of music, was bestowed upon T-Pain, a true icon known for his revolutionary use of Auto-Tune and a catalog of chart-topping hits. Over his two-decade career, T-Pain has sold over 50 million singles, achieved ten #1 placements on the Billboard Hot 100, and amassed a remarkable 28 BMI Awards, including three BMI Songwriter of the Year titles and a BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year award. His acceptance speech resonated with attendees, urging fellow artists to “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 emphasized self-measurement in career progression, adding, “Don’t let anybody dictate your time and how fast you get to the finish line. Let yourself be your own time measurement.”
GloRilla Earns BMI Impact Award and Songwriter of the Year Title
Emerging star GloRilla was celebrated with the BMI Impact Award for her “groundbreaking artistry, creative vision, and influence on the future of music.” Her bold voice and fearless creativity have quickly established her as a transformative force in hip-hop. The Memphis native, who rose to prominence with her 2022 breakout hit “FNF (Let’s Go)” and subsequently released her debut album Glorious in October 2024, also tied for BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year. She shared this prestigious title with Tay Keith and Mike Dean, with each writer contributing three of the year’s 35 most-performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs. GloRilla’s electrifying acceptance speech offered encouragement to aspiring artists: “Keep y’all’s foot on the gas. Don’t let nobody tell y’all what y’all can’t do.”
“Not Like Us” Crowned BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year
Kendrick Lamar’s critically acclaimed and commercially massive track “Not Like Us” was named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year. Co-written by Lamar, the late Ray Charles, Sean Momberger, and Sounwave, the song achieved significant chart success, debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the longest-charting rap song in the chart’s history, spending 53 consecutive weeks on the list.
Top Honors for Songwriters, Producers, and Publishers
The ceremony also recognized excellence across various creative roles. Sounwave was honored as BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year for his extensive work, including his contributions to Kendrick Lamar’s hit tracks “Euphoria,” “6:16 in LA,” and “Not Like Us,” as well as his production for artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. GloRilla, Tay Keith, and Mike Dean shared the Songwriter of the Year title, underscoring a year of exceptional lyrical and compositional contributions. Sony Music Publishing was named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Publisher of the Year, acknowledging its representation of 23 of the past year’s most-performed songs.
BMI’s Role in Recognizing Music’s Creative Engine
BMI, an organization that has served songwriters, composers, and music publishers for over 80 years, plays a crucial role in managing performance rights and advocating for the value of music. The annual R&B/Hip-Hop Awards are a testament to the organization’s commitment to celebrating the talent and commercial success that drive the music industry forward. By spotlighting the most-performed songs and the creative forces behind them, BMI ensures that the invaluable contributions of artists, writers, and producers are recognized, inspiring the next generation of hitmakers and solidifying the rich tapestry of hip-hop and R&B music.
The 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards provided a comprehensive overview of the genre’s landscape, honoring established legends and rising stars alike, and highlighting the intricate network of talent that creates the soundtrack to our lives. The stories celebrated serve as a powerful testament to the ongoing evolution and impact of hip-hop and R&B music globally.
