Los Angeles, CA – August 29, 2025 – The Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles was alight last night as the music industry gathered for the prestigious 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, celebrating the architects of contemporary sound. The highly anticipated event paid tribute to the genre’s titans, bestowing the coveted BMI President’s Award upon R&B and Hip-Hop icon T-Pain for his indelible career and transformative influence, while rising star GloRilla was honored with the BMI Impact Award, recognizing her meteoric rise and shaping of music’s future. The ceremony also spotlighted the year’s most-performed R&B and hip-hop songs, alongside top songwriters, producers, and publishers.
T-Pain: A Presidential Honor for a Genre Pioneer
T-Pain, born Faheem Rasheed Najm, accepted the BMI President’s Award, the evening’s highest honor, acknowledging his decades-long career marked by innovation, commercial success, and a profound impact on the sonic landscape of R&B and hip-hop. A GRAMMY Award-winning artist, producer, and songwriter, T-Pain is globally recognized for popularizing the creative use of Auto-Tune, a technique that revolutionized vocal production and became a signature element of his music and a widespread trend across the industry. His career, spanning over two decades, has seen him sell more than 50 million singles, achieve ten #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and amass billions of streams.
During his acceptance speech, T-Pain encouraged his peers and aspiring artists to forge their own paths and embrace self-measurement for success. “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 shared, reflecting on his journey. He also expressed gratitude to his team and family for their unwavering support. T-Pain’s extensive accolades already include 28 BMI Awards, three BMI Songwriter of the Year titles, and the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year award, underscoring his consistent impact on the music world.
GloRilla: Impact Award and Songwriter of the Year Recognition
The dynamic GloRilla, a GRAMMY-nominated artist, was celebrated with the BMI Impact Award for her “groundbreaking artistry, creative vision, and influence on the future of music.” Her breakout success since 2022, ignited by the viral hit “FNF (Let’s Go)” and her subsequent debut album “Glorious,” has cemented her status as a leading voice in contemporary hip-hop. BMI’s Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton, lauded GloRilla, stating, “This year’s Impact Award recipient 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.”
Adding to her distinguished evening, GloRilla also shared the title of BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year in a three-way tie with Tay Keith and Mike Dean. Her contributions to three of the year’s most-performed songs, including “TGIF,” “Wanna Be,” and “Yeah Glo!,” highlighted her prowess as a writer. This dual recognition solidifies GloRilla’s rapid ascent and her significant role in defining the current sound and direction of hip-hop music.
Celebrating a Year of Top R&B/Hip-Hop Stories
The 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards also shone a light on the creators behind the year’s most successful tracks. Kendrick Lamar’s anthemic “Not Like Us” was crowned BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year, a testament to its massive chart performance and cultural resonance. The track, co-written by Kendrick Lamar, Sean Momberger, and Sounwave, was celebrated for its record-breaking presence on the charts.
Multiple GRAMMY-winning producer Sounwave was recognized as BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year for his extensive work, including his contributions to “Not Like Us,” “Euphoria,” and “6:16 in LA,” as well as his acclaimed production for artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Mike Dean and Tay Keith, alongside GloRilla, earned the Songwriter of the Year award for their exceptional penmanship on hit songs.
Sony Music Publishing was honored as BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Publisher of the Year, representing 23 of the year’s most-performed songs, including chart-toppers like “Agora Hills” and “MILLION DOLLAR BABY.” The ceremony also acknowledged the 71 first-time BMI R&B/Hip-Hop award winners, celebrating the new wave of talent emerging in the genres.
A Night of Performances and Industry Celebration
The evening’s festivities were amplified by high-energy performances from rising stars BigXthaPlug and BossMan Dlow, who delivered electrifying renditions of their hit songs, including BigXthaPlug’s “The Largest” and “Mmhmm,” and BossMan Dlow’s “Mr Pot Scraper” and “Get In With Me.” A “Know Them Now” segment also showcased emerging R&B/Hip-Hop artists Eli Derby, TA Thomas, and Lekan, providing a platform for new talent.
The 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards served as a vibrant testament to the enduring power and continuous evolution of R&B and hip-hop music. By honoring established legends like T-Pain and celebrating the burgeoning impact of artists like GloRilla, BMI underscored its commitment to recognizing the diverse talent that shapes the global music narrative and creates the stories that resonate with millions.
