Happenings

Published on September 3rd, 2016 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

BMI Honors Toni Braxton with BMI President’s Award

BMI (@bmi ) HONORS TONI BRAXTON WITH THE BMI PRESIDENT’S AWARD AT THE 2016 BMI R&B/HIP-HOP AWARDS

On September 1st, Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) celebrated the songwriters and publishers of the year’s most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs during the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, held at The Woodruff Arts Center’s Symphony Hall in Atlanta. Multiple Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Toni Braxton took home the night’s highest honor when she was presented with the BMI President’s Award in recognition of her immeasurable impact on popular music over her distinguished 25-year career.

The BMI President’s Award is awarded on special occasion to an individual songwriter, composer, producer or executive who has made exemplary contributions to the art of music and has profoundly influenced the entertainment industry. As the 2016 honoree, Ms. Braxton joined fellow recipients Ludacris and Will.i.am in sharing this distinction.

Hosted by actor and comedian Chris Tucker alongside BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations in Atlanta, Catherine Brewton, the night included stellar performances by some of the hottest talent on the music scene. Hip-hop heavyweight and mega producer DJ Khaled kicked off the show with his smash hit “All I Do Is Win” featuring Ludacris. Kent Jones, one of the year’s most buzzed about new artists, lived up to the hype when he rocked the mic with his smash single “Don’t Mind.” The momentum kept building when Rich Homie Quan hit the stage to perform his recent singles, “Type of Way” and “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)” while Rae Sremmurd got the crowd moving with “No Type” and brand new single, “Black Beatles.”

Here are a few looks from the carpet!

BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: The lady of the hour Toni Braxton Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: BMI Vice President Catherine Brewton and DJ Khaled Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: DJ Khaled talks with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Rich Homie Quan talks with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Rae Sremmurd talks with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: David "DDS" Smith (Try Me, Dej Loaf) talks with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Micah Powell talks with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Micah Powell talks with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Sonny Digital Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals Singer-Songwriter Tish Hyman Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Singer-Songwriter Tish Hyman talks with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Producer/Songwriter FKi 1st talks with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Featuring Jason Parker (Live with Jason Parker) The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Atlanta's V103 talks with Sonny Digital Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Pastor Troy talks with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Record Producer Isaac "Ike Dirty" Hyes, III talks with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: TV Personality/Celebrity Hairstylist Derek J talks with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: TV Personality/Celebrity Hairstylist Derek J talks with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: With The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker (Live with Jason Parker) Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: With The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker (Live with Jason Parker) Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Angel McCoughtry (WNBA - Atlanta Dream, 2016 Olympic Gold Team) with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker (Live with Jason Parker) Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Angel McCoughtry (WNBA - Atlanta Dream, 2016 Olympic Gold Team) with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker (Live with Jason Parker) Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Angel McCoughtry (WNBA - Atlanta Dream, 2016 Olympic Gold Team) with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker (Live with Jason Parker) Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Angel McCoughtry (WNBA - Atlanta Dream, 2016 Olympic Gold Team) with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker (Live with Jason Parker) Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: With The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker (Live with Jason Parker) Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: With The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker (Live with Jason Parker) Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Singer/Songwriter Bobby V Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Singer/Songwriter Bobby V and BMI VP Catherine Brewton with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker (Live with Jason Parker) Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Rich Homie Quan Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Rich Homie Quan with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker (Live with Jason Parker) Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Rae Sremmurd with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker (Live with Jason Parker) Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: BMI President & CEO Mike O'Neill with The Hype Magazine guest correspondent Jason Parker (Live with Jason Parker) Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Yolanda Adams Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Towanda Braxton killin' it! Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: Traci and Trina Braxton Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine
BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet Arrivals: The blazing hot Braxtons Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine

The second half of the evening included an array of outstanding tribute performances honoring Toni Braxton beginning with Donald Lawrence & Company performing “You Mean the World to Me” and vocal powerhouse Yolanda Adams received a standing ovation with her moving rendition of “Un-Break My Heart.” Three of the Braxton sisters, Towanda, Traci, and Trina paid homage to their sister showcasing their incredible talent on “Breathe Again” and R&B chanteuse Ledisi wowed the audience with “Seven Whole Days.” After a moving introduction by L.A. Reid, Ms. Braxton took center stage for a spectacular performance of fan favorite, “He Wasn’t Man Enough” with her sisters on backing vocals.

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Toni Braxton preforms the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Woodruff Arts Center on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BMI)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: Singer Yolanda Adams attends the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Woodruff Arts Center on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BMI)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: Singer/Songwriter Ledisi performs the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Woodruff Arts Center on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BMI)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: (L-R) BMI President and CEO Mike O'Neill, singer/songwriter Sterling Simms, President of Motown Records and President of Urban Music/Co-Head of Creative at Universal Publishing Music Group Ethiopia Habtemariam, BMI Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton and Brandra Ringo attend the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Woodruff Arts Center on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BMI)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: Producer Metro Boomin attends the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Woodruff Arts Center on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BMI)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: Rappers Rae Sremmurd perform the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Woodruff Arts Center on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BMI)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: Rapper Rich Homie Quan attends the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Woodruff Arts Center on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BMI)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: Rapper Kent Jones attends the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Woodruff Arts Center on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BMI)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: (L-R) Traci Braxton, Towanda Braxton, Evelyn Braxton, Toni Braxton, Michael Braxton Sr., Michael Braxton Jr, and Trina Braxton attend the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Woodruff Arts Center on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BMI)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: Comedian/Actor Chris Tucker attends the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Woodruff Arts Center on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BMI)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: (L-R) Rapper/Actor Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton, comedian/actor Chris Tucker and President of BMI Mike O'Neill attend the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Woodruff Arts Center on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BMI)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: Rapper/Actor Chris "Ludacris" Bridges attends the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Woodruff Arts Center on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BMI)

Throughout the evening, the 35 best-performing R&B/Hip-Hop songs in the U.S. from BMI’s repertoire of over 10.5 million musical works were named along with Top Producers Awards going to Ben “Billions” Diehl and Southside. Top honors went to Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa for “See You Again” which claimed Song of the Year, Universal Music Publishing Group took home Publisher of the Year, and Metro Boomin was awarded Producer of the Year.

The event was sponsored by the Swisher Sweets Artist Project which increases awareness and exposure for emerging musical talent.
For a complete list of 2016 winners, visit www.bmi.com

“See You Again” named Song of the Year and Universal Music Publishing Group presented with Publisher of the Year

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Tags: #BMIRnBHipHopAwards, #TheHype, #TheHypeMagazine, #TheHypeMagazineNetwork, Ace Hood, Akon, Atlanta, Austin Mahone, Babyface (musician), Beat It, Grammy Award, Rich Homie Quan, Toni Braxton, Woodruff Arts Center

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.