ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards: French Montana, Rotimi, Mc Lyte, Sevyn Streeter, Remy Ma, Tasha Cobbs

Sevyn, Remy Ma, Tasha Cobbs

ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards

The ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards celebrated its 30th annual ceremony on Thursday, June 22, in Beverly Hills. The invitation-only event celebrated the songwriters and publishers of the most performed ASCAP songs on the 2016 R&B/hip-hop, rap and gospel charts.

Honorees Jimmy Jam (L) and Terry Lewis

Two music icons were feted with some of ASCAP’s most prestigious honors: Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace was recognized with the ASCAP Founders Award on the 20th anniversary of his death; and superstar songwriting and production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis received the ASCAP Voice of Music Award, just one week after being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Christian Combs and Justin Combs

The Founders Award for Notorious B.I.G. was accepted by his wife, singer/songwriter Faith Evans, his children, and his former managers and estate consultant Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts. Sean “Diddy” Combs acknowledged Biggie’s legacy in a touching video, introducing his sons, Justin and Christian Combs, who presented the award. Biggie’s DJs, Clark Kent and DJ Enuff, commemorated him with a rousing DJ battle.

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were honored with the ASCAP Voice of Music Award, presented by industry icon Clarence Avant and Chairman and CEO of Warner/Chappell Music Jon Platt.

Songwriters and publishers of the past year’s chart-topping hits were also recognized. ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Songwriter of the Year was a tie between Allen Ritter (“Controlla,” Drake; “Work,” Rihanna, more) and Paul “Nineteen85” Jefferies (“For Free,” DJ Khaled & Drake; “Hotline Bling,” Drake, more). Publisher of the Year went to Sony/ATV.

The Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song was “Needed Me,” written by Adam “Frank Dukes” Feeney, Brittany “Starrah” Hazzard, Prince Charlez and Derrus Rachel; Top Rap Song went to “Controlla,” written by Dwayne “Supa Dups” Chin-quee, Moses Anthony Davis, Donald Anthony Dennis, Gary Lewis Jackson, Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor, Allen Ritter, Patrick Leroy Roberts and Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels; and Top Gospel Song was awarded to “Better,” written by Gabriel J Hatcher II. Special ASCAP songwriter guest presenters included GMA Dove Award winner Jonathan McReynolds, Boss and Power actor Rotimi, and Sevyn Streeter, who is about to release a new album in July.

Jeremih performs

Attendees were treated to live music from ASCAP songwriters including the first live appearance from H.E.R. performing her song “Focus;” Jeremih doing his Billboard Hot 100 hit, “Oui;” Kyle performing his Top 5 hit “iSpy” and new single, “Nothing to Lose,” and Tasha Cobbs singing her new single “Great God.”

Celebs in attendance included: French Montana, Remy Ma, Papoose, PartyNextDoor, 2 Chainz, Nicci Gilbert, Mike Will Made-It, Yo Gotti, Anthony Brown, Stacy Barthe, Majid Jordan, Infared, Siedah Garrett, Gizzle, Young Greatness, Bridget Kelly, DJ Drama, Yung Berg, Goapele, James Fauntleroy, Boi-1da, Mona Scott-Young and Keyshia Cole.

Tasha Cobbs 

Jeremih 

Bre-Z  

Remy Ma

Tasha Cobbs performs 

Rotimi

Sevyn Streeter 

French Montana and Remy Ma

MC Lyte

C.J. Wallace (L) and T’yanna Wallace

Photo credit:  Getty Images

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