Mary J. Blige appears in...
Trailblazer, Defined: Kirk Franklin

There was nothing at all timid about the words Kirk Franklin delivered as an intro to his 1997 gospel and r&b hit “Stomp (Remix).” “For those of you that think that gospel music has gone too far,” he challenged, stamping every syllable with streetwise churchly conviction, “you think we’ve gotten too radical with our message. Well, I’ve got news for ya. You ain’t heard nothing yet.” That…
Kevin McCall Starts a Legacy

Kevin McCall was supposed to go to the NFL. That’s what his parents wanted: to further the dream of his father and uncles, all great student athletes. McCall grew up in Watts, a once-dangerous part of Los Angeles. But he had a different dream: He wanted to make music. McCall caught that fever in childhood, singing in church choir, egged on by a family tradition of performing…
Ken Hirsch Wins Big in U.S.A. Songwriting Competition

BMI songwriter Ken Hirsch took top honors in the 15th annual U.S.A. Songwriting Competition. An established hit-maker based in Los Angeles, Hirsch co-wrote “Is that So Bad,” which claimed first prize in the pop category as well as second prize in the overall competition. Also the writer of chart-topper “I’ve Never Been to Me,” Hirsch has written songs recorded by Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder,
will.i.am to Receive President’s Award at BMI Urban Music Awards Sept. 10

BMI will present the BMI President’s Award to will.i.am during the organization’s annual Urban Awards ceremony Friday, September 10. Staged at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, the invitation-only event salutes the creators and publishers of the most-performed urban songs of the previous year. BMI President & CEO Del Bryant will share hosting duties with Catherine Brewton, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta.…
RedOne Rising

RedOne sighs wistfully when he recalls the events that would eventually transform him into one of the world’s most sought-after writers/producers. It was 2007, and the budding recording guru was approached about the possibility of collaborating with a then-unknown singer/songwriter named “Lady Gaga.” Initially, RedOne was less than enthused. For over a decade he had paid his dues working with up-and-coming acts, and he…
Album in Hand, Drake Stares Down 2010

New York magazine’s “Vulture” blog recently proclaimed: “If there’s one guy who doesn’t want 2009 to end, it’s Drake.” While at first glance it may be difficult to argue with that assessment — notching two Top 10 singles in the same week; working with everyone from Jay-Z, Kanye West and Young Jeezy to Mary J. Blige, Timbaland, and…
Drake Delivers

This is Drake’s year. Descending on the U.S. from Toronto, the singer-rapper offers more than stellar mixtapes: He just might be the poster boy for the changing face of the music business. Aubrey Drake Graham, 22, is the son of a drummer, Dennis; one of his uncles, Larry, is the founder of Graham Central Station. In 2001, Aubrey began starring on the teen drama Degrassi: The Next…
Gospel Music Channel to Air 2009 Trailblazers Celebration Feb. 22

The Gospel Music Channel (GMC) will broadcast the world premiere of the 2009 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel special Sunday, February 22 at 8 p.m. EST as part of the channel’s celebration of Black History Month. Co-hosted by Grammy Award-winning and platinum-selling star Kirk Franklin and BMI’s Catherine Brewton, the event honoring pacesetters Twinkie Clark, Donald Lawrence, and CeCe…
Grammy Winners and Nominees to Discuss ‘How I Wrote That Song’ at Key Club in LA
BMI Panel Discussion will Feature will.i.am, T-Pain, Chad Hugo (Neptunes), Makeba Riddick, Keri Hilson and Surprise GuestsBMI will present its annual “How I Wrote That Song” panel Saturday, February 7, from 1 until 3 p.m. at the Key Club (9039 Sunset Blvd.) in Los Angeles. Led by BMI’s Catherine Brewton, the discussion will feature insight from Grammy Award-winning singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer will.i.am, Grammy Award-winning rapper, songwriter, and producer…
Recent Mary J. Blige events
| Feb 7 2009 | BMI “How I Wrote That Song” Panel: Los Angeles |
