In March of 2006, RedOne produced a "mash-up" of Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" featuring Wyclef Jean and RedOne/Bilal's "Bamboo, " working with Jean, Jerry Duplessis, and Shakira. The resulting mix will be performed by Shakira and Jean at the Cup's Final in Berlin to an estimated worldwide television audience of more than 1.2 billion. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was so impressed with RedOne's talent that he was made the main producer and songwriter for the 2006 World Cup Official Music Program.

Three variations of the Official Melody are featured exclusively on the VOICES from the FIFA World Cup album; it is also available worldwide as a ringtone.

RedOne has written and produced for prominent artists such as Christina Milian, 3LW, A-Teens and Tiffany Evans, and has worked alongside writers and producers such as Gordon Chambers, Teron Beal, Mary Brown and Desmond Child. He has received acclaim in Canada for the hits "I Wish" and "Little Mama," recorded by Juno nominee Carl Henry, as well as in his home country, where has won both a Swedish Grammy and Scandinavian Song of the Year award for "Step Up," working with frequent co-writer Bilal Hajji.

"Bamboo" has helped establish RedOne as a top producer in the global marketplace. He is currently in the studio, working on productions for both American and European artists.

The only thing Marsha and Natalie thought they had in common was their love of basketball. When their paths crossed again a few years later, they found out that they both had an even bigger love and passion for music. They started out as simply “Nat and Marsh” on the London music scene, mixing Natalie’s spoken word with Marsha’s soulful voice. After encouragement from a friend, they came to the United States and established themselves as Floetry.

Although they are considered to be very different from each other, Floetry has come together beautifully with their musical creativity and talent. They have written songs for Glenn Lewis, Bilal and Jill Scott, and one of their most successful hits was “Butterflies,” recorded by Michael Jackson. They soon became a songwriting duo in high-demand, but Floetry wanted to do more for Floetry.

In October 2002, they released their debut album, Floetic, which produced such chart-topping hits as the title cut and “Say Yes.” This album is still receiving rave reviews, having been nominated for three 2002 Grammy Awards and most recently two BET Awards.

Floetry’s time is now, with the neo-soul sound taking over the airwaves. But the best way to describe Floetry’s sound is what it is: poetry that flows.]]> 2003-08-28T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233797 Baltimore, Charli, Big Tymers, Bilal, Bryant, Del, Busta Rhymes, Cam'ron, Dilemma, Eminem, Fat Joe, Floetry, Gotti, Irv, Hamilton, Anthony, Hayes, Isaac, Hugo, Chad, Ja Rule, Jazze Pha, Kelly, R., Neptunes, The, Rooney, Rooney, Cory, Snoop Dogg, Williams, Pharrell, Winans, Mario, Dance, Pop, R&B, Rock, Urban, BMI Urban Awards Isaac Hayes Honored as BMI ICON

BMI saluted the top R&B, rap and hip-hop songwriters, producers and publishers at its 2003 Urban Awards, staged last night (8/5) at Club Tropigala at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resorts & Towers in Miami. The black-tie ceremony was hosted by BMI President and CEO Frances W. Preston, with Executive Vice President Del Bryant and Assistant Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton. Top honors went to Murder Inc. President Irv Gotti, who earned his second Urban Songwriter of the Year award; the #1 smash "Hot in Herre" was named Song of the Year, and EMI Music Publishing took home its third consecutive Urban Publisher of the Year trophy. Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo from famed production duo, The Neptunes, were named BMI Urban Producers of the Year.

BMI Urban Awards Event Photos

BMI Urban Awards Song List

Irv Gotti

Pharrell Williams

Chad Hugo

A special highlight of the gala evening featured a salute to soul music legend Isaac Hayes, who was honored as a BMI ICON for his enduring influence on generations of music makers. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was honored during the dinner with an all-star musical tribute that featured stellar performances by BMI artists Bilal, Floetry, and Anthony Hamilton, among others. From the instantly recognizable beats of the "Theme From Shaft," to the Sam and Dave classic hit "Hold On! I'm Comin'," the Oscar and Grammy Award-winning composer and singer continues to impact music and is widely sampled by some of today's biggest rap, hip-hop, and R&B artists.

Isaac Hayes

Bilal

Floetry

The BMI Urban Songwriter of the Year trophy went to rap mogul Irv Gotti, who placed nine titles on the most performed list. Songs earning him the crown included the Ja Rule hits "Always On Time" (feat. Ashanti), "Down 4 U" (feat. Vita, Ashanti, and Charli Baltimore), "Down A** Chick" (feat. Charli Baltimore) and "Livin' It Up" (feat. Case), as well as "Rainy Dayz" (Mary J. Blige feat. Ja Rule), "What's Luv?" (Fat Joe feat. Ja Rule and Ashanti), and "Baby," "Foolish," and "Happy," all recorded by Murder Inc. artist Ashanti. This is the second Urban Songwriter of the Year award for Gotti; he shared the spotlight last year with five others. Gotti was also named BMI's Pop Songwriter of the Year at the May 14 ceremony in Los Angeles, bringing his total BMI Awards to 19.

Anthony Hamilton

Ja Rule

Charli Baltimore

In addition to Gotti, several other writers earned multiple awards including Ja Rule with six; Pharrell Williams with four; and Charli Baltimore, Jeff I. Bass, Cam'Ron, Eminem and Mario Winans, who each placed two songs on the most performed list.

Song of the Year "Hot in Herre," co-written by BMI songwriters Charles L. Brown and Pharrell Williams, and published by Ascent Music, Inc., EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Nouveau Music Company, Swing T Publishing and Waters of Nazareth Publishing, spent seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The infectious number one hit was last summer's party anthem and is still heating up at radio and on the dance floor as well.

Jeff I. Bass

Cam'Ron

Eminem

Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, better known as The Neptunes, were feted as Producers of the Year with a performance from multi-platinum artist (and fellow Top 10 Songwriter/Producer) R. Kelly. The hit-making production and songwriting team has collaborated with the A-list in urban music, from Snoop Dogg to Busta Rhymes to Justin Timberlake, with titles including "Beautiful," "Pass the Courvoisier Part II," and "Rock Your Body." Rounding out the BMI Top 10 Urban Producers list were Songwriter of the Year Irv Gotti, rapper Eminem, Big Tymers' Mannie Fresh, Cash Money's Jazze Pha, Trackmasters' Poke, producer Cory Rooney and Hitmen Production's Mario Winans.

Mario Winans

Charles L. Brown

R. Kelly

EMI Music Publishing picked up its third consecutive Urban Publisher of the Year award by placing 11 songs on the most performed list, including Song of the Year, "Hot in Herre." This is the thirteenth top BMI Publisher honor awarded to EMI since 1989 in all genres of music. Other multiple award-winning publishers included Ensign Music Corporation (10), D J Irv Publishing (9), Universal Music Publishing (8), Slavery Music (6), Waters of Nazareth Publishing (4), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (3), and Careers-BMG Music/Zomba Songs, Eight Mile Style Music, Inky Sisi Music, Janice Combs Music, Killa Cam Music, Marsky Music, Songs of DreamWorks, SPZ Music, Inc., and Taking Care of Business Music (2).

In addition to the song, publisher and producer awards, music trade magazine Billboard announced the names of the BMI-affiliated writers who had #1 songs on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Rap Tracks charts during the past year. Among the winners were Producer of the Year Pharrell Williams, who placed two songs on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, and the #1 hit "Dilemma," which reached the peak position on both Billboardcharts. The BMI Urban Awards 2003 is the kick-off event to the 4th Annual Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Conference and Awards, taking place in Miami Beach August 6-8.

Among other songwriters, producers and artists confirmed to attend are multiple-platinum recording artist R. Kelly, Ja Rule, Irv Gotti, Rodney Jerkins, Chad Hugo, Mario Winans, Big Tymers, Lil Wayne, Charli Baltimore, Nappy Roots, Angie Stone and Jazze Pha. Additional names will be released as they are confirmed.

The BMI Urban Awards will recognize the songwriters and publishers of the most-played urban songs on US radio and television. An Urban Song of the Year, Urban Songwriter of the Year and Urban Publisher of the Year will be announced that night. In addition to the song awards, BMI will also honor the Top Urban Producers of 2002-2003 and the BMI writers whose songs hit #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop and Rap charts.]]> 2003-07-27T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/events/entry/532852 Artists, Bilal, Lerrieux, Amel, Robinson, Dawn, Awards, Musical Styles, R&B, Singer-Songwriter, Urban, Showcase, Showcase Templated

Amel Lerriuex performs

(clockwise) Bilal's back-up singer Candace, BMI's Loretta Gadson, Sydnee Stewart, Kimberly Dawkins and Shantel Washington, and Melody Garden Entertainment's Tracy Anderson

Bilal on stage with his band

Qwaliff, Bilal's road manager, and BMI's Kimberly Dawkins

The select group of pop music artists who are universally known by a single name may soon expand to include a gifted young talent known simply as Bilal. Just 22, the Philadelphia native has guest starred on gold- and platinum-selling albums by rabid supporters Common and Erykah Badu. His debut album, 1st Born Second, has elicited comparisons to such soul greats as Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye and Prince since its release on Moyo/Interscope Records this past spring.

However, it's the Purple One parallels that seem to get the most play, and for good reason. Like Prince, Bilal (born Bilal Oliver) is a multi-pronged talent who seems to move easily and convincingly from a variety of musical styles. R&B, hip-hop, reggae, gospel, pop and jazz are all part of this singer-songwriter's stylistic palette.

Plus, when Bilal's falsetto takes flight he can bear an uncanny vocal resemblance to the legendary Prince. Indeed, he once turned heads at a Brooklyn Academy of Music performance with a stunning performance of Prince's "International Lover." At a birthday party for Badu, Prince was heading out the door when he suddenly heard Bilal start singing. He was reportedly so intrigued by this new voice that he decided to stay to watch him perform.

"It doesn't really bother me when people compare me to Prince because people identify through association," he told a writer from New York's Time Out. "He has definitely been an influence on me, just as Miles Davis, Curtis Mayfield and a lot of other people have."

Bilal studied vocal jazz at New York's Mannes College of Music, where he also learned how to sing opera in seven languages. He feels he draws his greatest inspiration from the improvisational feel of jazz. "Most of the things I do are either intuitive or I'm thinking of some jazz cat," he recently told USA Today.

By Rob Patterson

From the dawning days of rhythm & blues through today's multifaceted urban music scene, BMI has been at the forefront of music from the African American tradition, styles and community. A continuity of teamwork between BMI and Black music-makers extends from Aretha Franklin to Janet Jackson, from Motown hitmakers Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier & Brian Holland to R. Kelly, and from Miles Davis to Terence Blanchard.

B.B. King

Busta Rhymes

Janet Jackson

Eminem

When r&b, in its formative years, was the province of budding independent labels, small publishers, and adventurous radio stations, BMI opened its ranks to the musical movement when the existing performing rights organization failed to recognize the legitimacy and potential brewing in Black American music. The considerable fact that 90 percent of the R&B Foundation's Pioneer Awards have been bestowed on BMI artists attests to BMI's historical commitment to Black music.

Eric Benet

Macy Gray

Mariah Carey

Michael Jackson

The BMI Black music rosters reads like a musical honor role: Jazz giants such as Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Dinah Washington and John Coltrane; blues icons like Leadbelly, Muddy Waters, B.B. King and T-Bone Walker; r&b pacesetters such as Ray Charles, Fats Domino and James Brown; soul sisters Etta James, Irma Thomas and Diana Ross; rock pioneers like Chuck Berry and Little Richard.

Mya

R. Kelly

Snoop Dogg

Toni Braxton

The BMI bloodlines can be traced from then to now, from Carla Thomas to Donna Summer to Vanessa Williams, from Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff to LA Reid and Babyface, from Otis Redding to Michael Jackson. And if you check this space 20 or 30 years from now, the odds say its likely that BMI's contemporary urban music artists will be just as legendary and influential as those BMI has represented throughout the history of Black popular music in America.

In a sense, the pages have already been written by today's BMI star talents. Mariah Carey has proven herself a formidable and enduring presence in popular music, while Macy Gray is arising to help bring soul back to its rightful place of presence in urban music. Kevin Eubanks delivers sublime new variations of the jazz guitar heritage to millions on The Tonight Show, and Joshua Redman redefines the notion of young jazz giant for a new millennium. Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Lil' Kim continue to push the hip-hop envelope, while Kirk Franklin and Winans Phase 2 keep the gospel spirit alive.

But it's not just the marquee names that make these exciting times for BMI's urban music roster. And even some of BMI's team whose work happens primarily behind the scenes are earning public note on the level of the artists they work with. Producer, songwriter, keyboardist and remixer Dallas Austin launched Monica and TLC, and counts Michael Jackson, Madonna, Boyz II Men and Aretha Franklin among his credits. Such musical versatility and vision continues with such recording and writing powerhouses as Jerry 'Wonder' Duplessis, Master P, Tim & Bob, SoulShock & Karlin, Jean Claude 'Poke' Olivier of The Track Masters, Organized Noise, Teddy Bishop and Cory Rooney - all drawing from a differing wealth of musical wells and creating new and innovative musical moments.

Hip-hop remains a powerfully progressive and sometimes provocative movement in modern popular music. Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes and Goodie Mob keep it real, and the beats and themes will surely remain hard in the hands of such acts as Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz, Ja Rule, Mos Def, Trick Daddy, Silkk the Shocker, JT Money, Kurupt and J-Shin. At the same time, acts like The Roots, Black Eyed Peas, Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek and Spooks infuse a rich mixture of styles into the hip-hop genre. Once the sound of the street, just as r&b had been, hip-hop is now an integral part of contemporary culture. And its Caribbean cousin dancehall is also claiming the attention of the public ear thanks to Buju Banton.

R&B has always boasted its powerful cadre of female singers. And just as Carla Thomas, Martha Reeves and Jodi Whatley established their voices as trademarks, so have the women like Brandy, Toni Braxton and Faith Evans. Rising to join them are such soul sisters as Angie Stone, Mya, Sunshine Anderson and Aaliyah, while R&B brothers such as Eric Benet and Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes stir up new soul traditions for today's urban music fans as Clyde McPhatter, Sam Moore and Aaron Neville have before them. The girl group traditions forged by The Shirelles and The Supremes find modern expression in the "new jill flava" of Total.

As the recent Ken Burns documentary demonstrated, jazz is one of the richest skeins in the American cultural tapestry. BMI has been a consistent presence in jazz, from Lionel Hampton to Coleman Hawkins to Herbie Hancock to Roy Hargrove. Today, Terence Blanchard, Christian McBride, Kevin Eubanks and Bilal maintain the instrumental and compositional greatness of jazz music for the genre's future.

Spirituals have always been an essential element in Black music and BMI's mission, thanks to everyone from James Ingram to The Fairfield Four. And perhaps nobody has had a more profound impact on contemporary music and the popularity of spiritual sounds than minister, songwriter, producer and visionary Kirk Franklin. In the past, one could make similar claims for The Winans, and the family tradition forged there is carried on by Winans Phase 2. The ears reached by these artists are now opening as well to such rising talents as Yolanda Adams and Trin-i-tee 5:7.

Such diversity, commercial impact, innovation and encouragement of burgeoning styles and new artists has been a hallmark of BMI's commitment to Black music from the time that "race music" became rhythm & blues, and on through soul, funk and disco right up to rap and new jack swing. As BMI salutes tradition through its longtime support of the R&B Foundation, it also helps create the future that is urban music in all its breadth and creativity. Because at BMI, Black Music Month is celebrated 12 months a year.