Broadcast Music, Inc., a global leader in rights management, collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it distributes as royalties to songwriters, composers & music publishers.
Contact Us
Have questions?
Atlanta:
Byron Wright
urban.atl@bmi.com
New York:
Wardell Malloy & Ian Holder
urban.nyc@bmi.com
Los Angeles:
Malik Levy & Nicole Plantin
urban.la@bmi.com
History
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... read more
Urban
Save the Date: Grammy Edition of BMI’s “How I Wrote That Song” Slated for Feb. 11 in L.A.
Grammy-winning hip-hop icon Rev Run; RZA, the Grammy-winning founder of Wu-Tang Clan; Good Charlotte co-founders Joel and Benji Madden; multiple Grammy nominee/producer/artist and official voice of South Florida DJ Khaled; and Grammy-winning songwriter/producer RedOne are confirmed panelists for BMI’s “How I Wrote That Song” 2012, slated for Saturday, February 11, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Key Club (9039 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069).…
From News, posted 1.26.12
MusicWorld: Skylar Grey, Anthony Hamilton, Sundance & More
Check out the new BMI MusicWorld digital issue, featuring… Anthony Hamilton: “This new album came in sections. I was in a space where I wanted to change it up a bit. I was in a moving mood; I wanted to feel like it was traveling.” Skylar Grey: “I don’t go out and specifically take a song and say, ‘I wanna do something like this’—because…
From News, posted 1.18.12
10 Questions: Skylar Grey
Skylar Grey will be hard-pressed to top 2011. Last year yielded a stunning Grammy performance—and nomination—festival appearances, and a European tour. But it’s all been leading to Grey’s debut album, Invinsible, expected in the coming weeks. Grey is again partnered with her golden-eared producer pal Alex da Kid, whose steely, mammoth-like beats hammered beneath Grey's vocals during last year's string of collaborations with hip-hop…
From MusicWorld, posted 1.18.12
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…
From MusicWorld, posted 1.18.12
The BMI Holiday Countdown: Run-D.M.C., “Christmas in Hollis”
Run-D.M.C., “Christmas in Hollis” Written by Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels and DJ Jason “Jam-Master Jay” Mizell By 1987, the year Run-D.M.C. released the single “Christmas in Hollis” on two different holiday compilations, they were undeniably superstars—with gold records, multi-million dollar endorsements, and even a Live Aid appearance to their credit. But rap—the music…
From News, posted 12.15.11
New Digital MusicWorld Issue: Top 7 Videos of 2011 and More
Check out the last BMI MusicWorld digital issue of 2011, featuring… Seven 2011 Video Clips You Don’t Want to Miss: Throughout the year, BMI captures exclusive moments on video. From sharing a career high with Lady Gaga to advice from pop master David Foster to a mad dash through SXSW with Welsh phenom Bright Light Bright Light, we’ve picked…
From News, posted 12.15.11
BMI Video: 7 Clips from 2011 You Don’t Want to Miss
Throughout the year, BMI captures exclusive moments on video. From sharing a career high with Lady Gaga to advice from pop master David Foster to a mad dash through SXSW with Welsh phenom Bright Light Bright Light, we’ve picked our seven small-screen favorites from 2011. David Foster’s 10 Tips for Songwriters When David Foster was…
From MusicWorld, posted 12.15.11
The BMI Holiday Countdown
James Brown, “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto” With its tightly intertwined rhythms, percussive horns and traditional jump-blues bridge, “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto” catches the incomparable James Brown during a period of transition—moving from the hard-hitting soul of 1965’s “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” and “I Got You (I Feel Good)” to the…
From MusicWorld, posted 12.15.11
Spotlight: First-Time BMI Songwriting Award Winners
For a composer or lyricist, being recognized for a songwriting achievement never loses its luster, no matter how many times such an honor comes an artist’s way. Still, the thrill that results from being a “first-time” winner is always especially memorable. In 2011, BMI staged seven ceremonies that recognized the writers, publishers and producers of the most-performed songs of the past year, in a wide range of genres. When asked…
From MusicWorld, posted 12.15.11
Kanye West, Adele Lead BMI List of Grammy Nominees
Kanye West and Adele top the long list of BMI nominees for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, announced Wednesday, November 30. With seven, West garnered the most nods of any artist. His prolific risk-taking over the past year helped ensure his nominations haul. He’ll compete against himself in the Best Rap Album field: solo effort My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Watch the Throne,…
From News, posted 12.02.11
‘Rolling Papers’ Propels Wiz Khalifa’s Rise
In just one year, Wiz Khalifa went from underground mixtape king to top-selling rapper. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native’s infectious single “Black and Yellow” reached stadium status with a performance at this year’s Super Bowl. When all eyes and ears turned to him, Khalifa stared right back and held the country’s attention, the 23-year-old MC’s tattered image evoking rock-star lifestyles of yesteryear. He quieted the naysayers,…
From MusicWorld, posted 12.01.11
BMI MusicWorld Launches New Digital Edition
Long-running, critically acclaimed magazine gets redesign for global reach BMI long-running MusicWorld magazine, first launched in 1962, is now available online. With in-depth profiles of BMI artists and writers, and discussions of issues that affect both music creators and music lovers, the digital MusicWorld will now be easier to access, receive and share through Facebook, Twitter and e-mail. Check out the debut digital BMI MusicWorld, featuring… Miranda…
From News, posted 11.21.11
Taylor Swift, Adele & Nicki Minaj Lead BMI Winners at American Music Awards
Taylor Swift, Adele and Nicki Minaj triumphed at the 2011 American Music Awards, held Sunday, November 20 at the Nokia Theatre in L.A. BMI songwriters took home 76% of the fan-voted trophies, illustrating the effervescent popularity of the BMI catalog with listeners in all formats. Swift took home top Artist of the Year overall, as well as Favorite Female Artist and…
From News, posted 11.21.11
Lex Luger Makes History
When Lex Luger’s first hit (Waka Flocka Flame’s “Hard in Da Paint”) reached the club, he was too young to even hear it there. Now 20, Lex still can’t legally buy liquor, but the Virginia native has crafted enough bottle-popping anthems for famed rappers that he’s there in spirit. When Luger produced Rick Ross’s colossal hit “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast),” the world was introduced…
From MusicWorld, posted 11.16.11
Frank Ocean: R&B Raconteur
In “American Wedding,” Frank Ocean’s protagonist admires a tattoo before a wedding. At a courthouse. To a teen bride. She signs her name in fancy cursive. Her parents don’t know. The marriage fails. Tattoos, shotgun weddings and divorces are so common in country music that they’re sometimes plot devices, but in r&b? The granular details that separate good writers from the masters appear rarely. On his mixtape…
From MusicWorld, posted 11.16.11
The Mountaintop, Where Club-Anthem Auteur DJ Khaled Wants To Stay
There once was a time when the DJ stood front and center in hip-hop. Yet slowly, the MC made his advance — from hyping the disc jockey to free-style rap duels and tag-team collabs, on to the revered hip-hop collectives of the late ’80s and early ’90s before the final transition into full-fledged stardom of the Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z and Lil Wayne-class. Inevitably, the DJ took a…
From MusicWorld, posted 11.16.11
Singing a Different Tune: ‘Majors & Minors’ Shakes Up Talent Searches
New series Majors & Minors made its anticipated debut Friday, September 23 on the Hub TV Network, and the feel-good reality program is earning high marks from parents, critics, and industry insiders alike. “Parents need to know that this inspiring musical series proves that it's possible to make reality TV that's both wholesome and appealing,” writes CommonSenseMedia.org. Entertainment Weekly has praised the show’s “chill, uplifting vibe.”…
From News, posted 9.28.11
I-Octane Can’t Sleep. He Has Songs to Write.
If you ever try to get I-Octane on the phone, be patient. If he’s in the studio, an hour can turn into the whole day. But then, when a guy is gaining attention as one of Jamaica’s most promising new songwriters, he can’t be sitting by the phone. He’s got to work. “The amount of time it takes to write a song varies,” he says. “Sometimes it’s…
From MusicWorld, posted 9.20.11
Tinie Tempah’s Club Poetry
As a teenager, Patrick Okogwu, as he was known in his Catholic school in leafy Plumstead, South London, excelled with honors. The firstborn son of Nigerian immigrants, he was expected to study and go to university. He liked to write. “I actually remember celebrating National Poetry Day at school,” he wrote in the U.K.’s Sun newspaper. “I found it easy to write verses and rhymes, as I was basically writing…
From MusicWorld, posted 9.19.11
BMI Presents DJ Khaled & Rising Indies at Peachtree Music Festival
BMI will host a stage filled with rising indie talent along with hip-hop titan DJ Khaled at the inaugural Peachtree Music Festival in Midtown Atlanta on October 1, 2011, rain or shine. The Peachtree Music & Arts Festival is a one day, two-stage music and arts festival, on eight acres in the Midtown Community of Atlanta, GA (Spring Street & 8th Street, 48 8th Street…
From News, posted 9.12.11
Big Sean Steps Out
Like a thoroughbred being primed for the Triple Crown, rapper Big Sean has been carefully groomed for his world debut. Hailing from the same Detroit stomping grounds that spawned Eminem, Kid Rock and ICP, “Big Sean” Anderson was discovered by Kanye West in 2005. But instead of immediately unleashing his teenaged charge on the public, West kept Big…
From MusicWorld, posted 9.09.11
Far East Movement: Breaking Out, but Not Changing a Thing
If there is one thing (aside from their Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping hit “Like a G6”) that absolutely defines Far East Movement it’s this: hustle. The outfit’s four members, Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif and DJ Virman, have all but trademarked the word. They hustled gigs as newly minted members of the burgeoning early-2000’s hip-hop scene in southern California when no one else would take up their cause,…
From MusicWorld, posted 9.07.11
Snoop Dogg, Drake, B.o.B, Lex Luger, Universal Music Publishing & More Honored at BMI Urban Awards
Urban music’s top creators shared the stage tonight at BMI’s Urban Awards at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. The annual event celebrates the songwriters, producers and music publishers of the past year’s most-performed r&b, rap and hip-hop songs in the BMI repertoire. The 2011 ceremony featured high-wattage star power and broke BMI records. The incomparable Snoop Dogg was honored as a BMI Icon. With seven songs among the most-performed, Drake…
From News, posted 8.27.11
BMI’s Delia Orjuela, Byron Wright Recognized by Billboard
Billboard magazine recently published praise for BMI’s Delia Orjuela and Byron Wright, naming them to its 2011 Latin Power Players and 30 Under 30 lists, respectively. The honors underpin the diverse strength of BMI’s current executive roster, which includes established and up-and-coming leaders alike. Based in BMI’s Los Angeles office, Delia Orjuela is Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Latin Music for the organization. As a member of…
From News, posted 8.24.11
Snoop Dogg: Evolution of an Icon
The year was 1992. The film Deep Cover came equipped with a title track off the soundtrack featuring NWA alum Dr. Dre. The song also featured a burgeoning young rapper named Snoop Doggy Dogg, whose slick sneaky delivery oozed on the hook, “’Cause it’s 187 on an undercover cop” (187, being the California Penal Code for criminal activity). When it came time for Snoop’s introductory verse he opened with, “Creep…
From MusicWorld, posted 8.23.11
BMI Songwriter Sonyae Elise Wins First Season of Bravo’s ‘Platinum Hit’
BMI songwriter Sonyae Elise has been crowned the winner of the inaugural season of Bravo’s Platinum Hit. The New Jersey native earned a prize package that includes $100,000 cash, a publishing deal with Sony and a recording deal with RCA/Jive. Award-winning BMI hit-maker Kara DioGuardi served as head judge and mentor throughout the season, as 12 fresh-faced singer/songwriters met challenges designed to test their…
From News, posted 8.06.11
BMI to Provide Springboard to Superstardom at its Lollapalooza Stage August 5-7
BMI is proud to present the performers on its 2011 Lollapalooza stage. Running August 5, 6, and 7 at Grant Park’s Hutchinson Field in Chicago, IL, BMI’s stage will kick off performances at 12:00 p.m. each day, setting the pace at the mammoth music festival. Festival-goers seeking an eclectic lineup and a bucolic respite from the Chicago heat flock to the BMI Lollapalooza stage, known for emitting disco-dunked sounds, acoustic…
From News, posted 7.28.11
BMI Songwriters Dominate First Six Months of 2011 Awards Season
-Grammys_LadyA2011-200x115.jpg)
Half of 2011 is already history, complete with a suite of awards ceremonies celebrating music’s best. From the Grammys to the Tonys, the cultural supremacy of BMI’s deep repertoire has been on full display. January The year launched with a high bar, as Atticus Ross’s music for The Social Network earned Best Original Score at the 68th Annual Golden Globes and 83rd
From News, posted 7.18.11
Odd Future Make Unorthodox Hip-Hop the New Norm
In less than a year, the world embraced the phenomenon known as Odd Future Wolfgang Kill Them All, or OFWGKTA. With currently ten members making music, the Los Angeles-based collective has been known for crafting unabashed hip-hop that’s both refreshing and unexpected in music’s current landscape. Since their year-plus tenure in the spotlight, OFWGKTA have already been taken to task for the nature of their lyrics. However,…
From MusicWorld, posted 7.14.11
The Method to the Madness of Nicki Minaj
Autobiography plays a huge role in hip-hop music. MCs rap about their abilities, their street cred and their rags-to-riches stories. They name-drop friends. They stoke feuds with enemies. They take their share of liberties with the literal truth. But they remain, without question, the central characters in the dramas. When Trinidad-born, Southside Jamaica, Queens-raised Nicki Minaj began popping up a handful of years ago on
From MusicWorld, posted 7.11.11
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…
From MusicWorld, posted 7.06.11
JR Get Money Gets Going
On a recent Friday, BMI songwriter/rapper JR Get Money was holed up in an Atlanta recording studio laying down tracks. Though a sunny weekend loomed, rest and relaxation seemed to be the last thing on the mind of the up-and-coming hip-hop hustler. “I don’t even call it the weekend anymore,” JR said with a laugh. “For me, every day is a work day.” JR is actually enjoying…
From MusicWorld, posted 7.05.11
Kane Beatz, from Student to Studio Rat
Recall, for a minute, the rolling bass and overall freaky-in-the-club tone of Trey Songz’ “Bottoms Up.” And now: Oral Roberts University. Things that don’t go together, right? In the world of Kane Beatz, they do. The producer behind that record and a growing cadre of more was once a student at the college founded by the famous minister. But he didn’t last long there:…
From MusicWorld, posted 7.05.11
Julian Bunetta Builds a Box
He’s only 28 years old, but Julian Bunetta talks like a wizened beatnik thrust into a focus-grouped world he didn’t create. The California-based producer/engineer habitually tosses out phrases and metaphors that speak volumes about his churning creativity, not to mention his philosophical approach to life. As Bunetta sees it, strong relationships help produce great art. He constantly alludes to “the family,” a circle that not only includes…
From MusicWorld, posted 7.04.11
BMI and Levitt Pavilion Partner to Present BMI Summer Nights
BMI has partnered with the Levitt Pavilion for Performing Arts to organize a new summer concert series called BMI Summer Nights. Free and open to the public, BMI Summer Nights launched Thursday, June 23 with performances by Crisantes and Christopher Von Uckermann at the Levitt Pavilion MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. The remaining three dates will offer strong lineups of BMI singer/songwriters…
From News, posted 6.30.11
Fraser T. Smith: Crafting a Vibe
English songwriter and producer Fraser T. Smith maneuvers an eclectic stream of styles. From the opulent r&b buttressing Cee Lo Green’s soulful boom on last year’s platinum-selling The Lady Killer, to the power ballads steering the debut album by U.K. songstress Clare Maguire released last February, Smith’s oeuvre continues to branch. It’s no accident. For Smith, longevity hinges on renewing sound. Apart from following trends in both…
From MusicWorld, posted 6.29.11
Chris Brown Leads BMI Blitz at 2011 BET Awards
BMI songwriters took home the overwhelming majority of the BET Awards statuettes handed out Sunday, June 26. As member after member of BMI’s family of songwriter/artists were crowned the year’s best, the cultural supremacy of BMI’s deep urban repertoire was on full display. With four trophies, Chris Brown led the pack, earning Best Male R&B Artist, the fan-voted Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice award and Video of the…
From News, posted 6.28.11
Snoop Dogg to be Named BMI Icon at Annual BMI Urban Awards
Snoop Dogg will be saluted as a BMI Icon at the BMI Urban Awards, slated for Friday, August 26 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. BMI President & CEO Del Bryant will share hosting duties with Catherine Brewton, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, as the entertainment community gathers to celebrate the most-performed urban songs, songwriters and producers of the…
From News, posted 6.23.11
Shawn Campbell, Songwriting and Starmaking His Way to the Top
For Shawn Campbell, it was one of those once-in-a-lifetime revelations that changed everything. A Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter, Campbell has worked with musical heavy hitters like Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Chris Brown, Foxy Brown and others. Yet despite his success, Campbell eventually came to believe that the real opportunities in music today lie in artist development. “I decided that the smart thing to do was…
From MusicWorld, posted 6.16.11
BMI Brings Nashville Indies to Bonnaroo
Three hard-working Nashville artists cashed in club battles for sunny Bonnaroo slots last weekend: BMI’s 2011 Road to Bonnaroo contest champs Uncle Skeleton, Chancellor Warhol, and Cheer Up Charlie Daniels each performed in the On Tap Lounge at the 2011 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. The sets won hundreds of new fans for the three Music City ambassadors, who were live…
From News, posted 6.15.11
Chase N. Cashe Gets a Whole Lot Closer
When he was 15 years old, Jesse Woodard, IV got a job working at a Footlocker shoe store in his native New Orleans. Thanks to his high school connections, Woodard was able to parlay his large circle of classmates into a respectable shoe-selling hustle. “I was one of the few people my age with a job,” Woodard says. “My friends would say, ‘You’re always working, always chasing that cash.’” “Chasing…
From MusicWorld, posted 6.01.11
BMI Songwriters Win Big at 2011 Ivor Novellos
BMI’s international songwriting family enjoyed a big night at the 56th Ivor Novello Awards, the august ceremony celebrating the writers behind the UK’s most finely crafted hits of the year. While many UK writers are members of their home country performing right organizations, BMI represents them in the United States through reciprocal agreements with those sister societies. “Becoming a Jackal” was named Best Song Musically and Lyrically. Recorded by Irish…
From News, posted 5.31.11
BMI Launches ‘Behind The Song’ Video Series
BMI has launched an online video series featuring six top BMI award-winning songwriters/producers: Kara DioGuardi, Colbie Caillat, J.R. Rotem, Jim Jonsin, Rodney Jerkins and Jude Cole. Named “Behind the Song: The BMI Songwriter/Producer Series,” the six-week web series will offer candid, informational sitdowns with some of music’s most influential songwriters and producers.…
From News, posted 5.24.11
Eminem Dominates 2011 Billboard Music Awards
Eminem dominated the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, which were handed out Sunday night live on ABC. The BMI trendsetter won six trophies: Top Artist, Top Male Artist and Top Rap Artist; Top Billboard 200 Album and Top Rap Album for Recovery; and Top Rap Song for “Love the Way You Lie.” As BMI songwriter after BMI songwriter was called to the stage, the immense popularity of the…
From News, posted 5.24.11
Rick Ross, Travis Porter, Sean Garrett & Ace Hood Headline BMI’s 14th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase
A selection of the recording industry’s most eminent stars and promising talent performed at BMI’s 14th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase May 18 at The Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta. Hosted by comedian Lil Duval and DJ Drama, the showcase featured performances by the inimitable Rick Ross, Atlanta-based hip-hop trio Travis Porter, DJ Khaled-backed rapper Ace Hood, and hit-making wordsmith
From News, posted 5.19.11
David Foster Named BMI Icon at 59th Annual BMI Pop Music Awards
BMI held its 59th annual Pop Music Awards tonight at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. Visionary songwriter and producer David Foster was celebrated as a BMI Icon in recognition of his “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” Lady Gaga, Jason Derülo and JR Rotem all became the BMI Pop Songwriters of the Year. Gaga, Derülo and…
From News, posted 5.18.11
Songwriter/Producer Benny Blanco ‘Builds the Beat’
BMI presented “Building the Beat” with genre-traversing songwriter/producer Benny Blanco on April 21 at Jungle City Studios in New York. Fifteen up-and-coming BMI producers submitted two beats through Production MarketPlace (PMP) to attend the workshop. Participants got chance to interact with Benny and listen to him discuss his many roles, including controlling a recording session, overseeing musicians, mixing and mastering. In addition, the fifteen bourgeoning producers were…
From News, posted 4.22.11
Rick Ross to Headline BMI’s 14th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase
BMI will present its 14th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase Wednesday, May 18, featuring a combination of the recording industry’s eminent stars and most-promising unsigned talent. Staged at The Buckhead Theatre (3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA), the event begins at 8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m. The festivities are open to the public; attendees must be at least 18 years of age with valid identification. Limited advance tickets can be…
From News, posted 4.22.11
Library of Congress Announces 2010 Additions to National Recording Registry
The Library of Congress has named the 25 new additions to the ninth annual National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress, which will ensure that these cultural, artistic and historical recordings are always available to the American public. Included among them are works that demonstrate the depth and breadth of the BMI repertoire, ranging from the seminal blues sounds of Blind Willie Johnson to the classic…
From News, posted 4.06.11
Drake to Receive Hal David Starlight Award
Drake just received prestigious acknowledgement of his promising career trajectory: The Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) has announced that the hip-hop poet will receive the 2011 Hal David Starlight Award, presented during the organization’s annual ceremony on Thursday, June 16 in New York City. Drake didn’t just live up to the hype surrounding his 2009 full-length debut Thank Me Later—he flew right past it.…
From News, posted 3.25.11
SXSW Ready: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis will play BMI’s SXSW St. Patrick’s Day showcase on Thursday, March 17 at 12:45 a.m. at The Ghost Room. Some artists search the musical landscape high and low, dabbling in this sound or that, until they finally discover a stylistic home. There are others who immediately fall head over heels into a style that seemed to call out to them.…
From MusicWorld, posted 3.04.11
E. Miles: Bring On the Pressure
About 10 years ago, writer/producer E. Miles made his first trek to the Big Apple. Hailing from the unincorporated town of Pleasant Grove, North Carolina—a town so small it doesn’t even have its own McDonald’s restaurant—Miles was particularly dazzled by New York’s bright lights and thrusting skyscrapers. “I was 16-17 years-old when I made my visit to New York, and ever since then my attitude was ‘I’m…
From MusicWorld, posted 3.02.11
‘We Will Rock You’ Is Top Sports Song Again, But NHL and MLB Teams Differ
“We Will Rock You” again is the most-played BMI song at NFL games, but professional baseball and hockey teams have different favorites. NHL teams play “Twilight Zone” more often, while MLB teams like “Car Wash.” Songs at NFL, NHL, and MLB events are tracked each year for BMI’s 475,000 songwriters, composers and publishers. As the global leader in rights management, BMI processed more than 92 billion music performances during 2010.…
From News, posted 2.23.11
Canita Rogers Eyes Longevity
You might be inclined to guess that Canita Rogers, winner of BMI’s Building the Beat workshop and competition in October of last year, would have gravitated towards gospel music right away as a result of growing up in Alabama – after all, it’s in the heart of the Bible Belt. Naturally, she did play in church some as a child, but Rogers, who’s been studying…
From MusicWorld, posted 2.18.11
Grammy Winners & Nominees Discuss Songwriting at BMI’s ‘How I Wrote That Song’
BMI staged the annual Grammy-infused installment of its popular “How I Wrote That Song” panel on Saturday, February 12 at the Key Club (9039 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069) in Los Angeles. Panelists included multiple Grammy-winning rapper/singer/songwriter/producer Cee Lo Green; multiple Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Seal; Grammy award-winning songwriter/producer Chad Hugo; Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Claude Kelly; hit songwriter
From News, posted 2.14.11
Lady Antebellum Soars at 2011 Grammy Awards
Lady Antebellum will bring a host of Grammy gold home to Nashville: With five wins, the crossover trio led the BMI charge at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, held last night in Los Angeles. Lady A's "Need You Now," co-written by members and BMI songwriters Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley, earned Record and Song of the Year, as well as Best…
From News, posted 2.14.11
Chef Tone, Writing and Winning
With a sprinkle of sexiness and a dash of innuendo, Atlanta-based songwriter Tony “Chef Tone” Scales dishes appetizing love songs and bold club bangers for r&b heavy-hitters like Jamie Foxx, Mario, J. Holiday, Sammie and, most notably, R. Kelly and Trey Songz. “I’m trying to apply pressure to these other writers and be remarkable at…
From MusicWorld, posted 2.13.11
BMI Accepting Submissions for 14th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase
BMI is currently accepting submissions for its 14th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase, to be held in Atlanta on May 18, 2011 at The Buckhead Theatre. Aspiring artists from all urban genres, including r&b, rap and hip-hop, are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to perform at this lauded, star-spotting annual showcase. Four finalists will be selected to compete in front of a panel of music industry heavyweights, including top executives,…
From News, posted 2.11.11
Cee-Lo Green: Love and Happiness
Cee-Lo Green will participate in BMI’s How I Wrote That Song panel, slated for this Saturday, February 12 at the Key Club in West Hollywood. He will be joined by Seal, Chad Hugo, Bonnie McKee, Claude Kelly, and BC Jean. Profanity, schmofanity. When a singer as powerful and charismatic as…
From MusicWorld, posted 2.08.11
BMI Congratulates Our Members on More Than 375 Grammy Nominations!
Read BMI’s 2011 Grammy nominees news story from Decmeber 2, 2010. Name, Number of Nominations Eminem, 10 Lady Gaga, 6 John Legend, 5 Rihanna, 5 The Roots, 5 B.o.B, 4 Drake (socan), 4 Cee Lo Green,…
From News, posted 2.08.11
BMI’s ‘How I Wrote That Song’ Goes Grammy Feb. 12
Panelists include Cee Lo Green, Seal, Bonnie McKee, Claude Kelly, Chad Hugo, & BC Jean BMI will stage the annual Grammy-infused installment of its popular “How I Wrote That Song” panel on Saturday, February 12 from 1 until 3 p.m. at the Key Club (9039 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069)…
From News, posted 2.04.11
2010 Award Season Belongs to BMI Songwriters & Composers
BMI songwriters dominated the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, winning almost two-thirds of the awards that were handed out across all genres and categories. The Grammy wins cap an incredible year in which BMI songwriters and composers were the most celebrated creative voices in awards presentations and on the charts. When BMI opened its doors in 1939, the depth and diversity quickly amassed in the company’s repertoire redefined industry…
From News, posted 1.27.11
August Rigo: Perseverance Paying Off
Born and raised in Toronto, August Rigo absorbed pop R&B readily; the tunes of Boyz II Men, Jodeci and, of course, Michael Jackson shaped him. He taught himself piano, drums and guitar, and then went on to performing arts high school, where he was occasionally shoved out of his comfort zone. “I did opera,” he recalls. “My teacher really wanted me…
From MusicWorld, posted 1.21.11
Alex da Kid’s Massive Attack
Producer Alex da Kid has, in just two years, moved from London, where he grew up, to New York to L.A. – a rapid change of scenery that would, for most people, seem daunting, if not eye-opening. Not for him. “To be honest,” he says, “it’s a lot less different than I thought it would be. But it doesn’t really matter what country I’m in—I’m in the…
From MusicWorld, posted 1.19.11
Rick Ross, Miami’s ‘Teflon Don’
Some decades ago, Miami was popularly known as a tranquil tourist city with an abundance of wealthy retirees and ultra-chic shops. But after a series of sociopolitical upheavals rocked the ritzy port town, Miami found itself transformed into a bustling symbol of seductive nightlife and fast-paced underworld culture. Enter Rick Ross. The formidable rapper, writer and mogul has parlayed his Florida hometown into a heavyweight music career…
From MusicWorld, posted 1.13.11
New ‘BMI Live’ Program Allows Performing Songwriters To Register Live Concerts for Royalty Payments
BMI has launched BMI Live, a program enabling performing songwriters to register their concerts and set lists online to be considered for payment in live music venues, regardless of size. To qualify, songwriters need to enter their live musical performances on BMI’s website (a BMI Live video demo is available) . BMI will pay royalties to both writers and publishers via direct deposit in its June…
From News, posted 1.11.11
Benny Blanco Fills in the Blanks
Benny Blanco, the 22-year-old songwriter and producer with a string of hits to his credit, is driving through Los Angeles talking about how he has always loved music. Since he was a kid growing up in suburban Virginia—pulling out the stereo in the middle of his parents’ dinner parties to dance and lip synch to Prince, bugging his big brother to buy him the CDs with the…
From MusicWorld, posted 1.07.11
Eminem, Lady Gaga & Lady Antebellum Lead List of 2011 BMI Grammy Nominees
Eminem, Lady Gaga and Lady Antebellum lead BMI’s triumphant surge in the 2011 Grammy nominations, announced last night in Los Angeles. With 10 nominations, Eminem proves yet again that popularity and critical acclaim are best enjoyed hand in hand. His Recovery will vie for Album of the Year, while "Love the Way You Lie,” recorded and co-written by Eminem and his…
From News, posted 12.02.10
Eminem Leads BMI Wins at 2010 American Music Awards
Eminem added two more wins to his already long list of career accolades during the fan-voted American Music Awards, broadcast live on ABC Sunday, November 21. With trophies for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album (Recovery), the hip-hop icon underscored his undeniable staying power. The Black Eyed Peas’ world domination was recognized with the Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group win, while…
From News, posted 11.22.10
Eminem, Lady Antebellum Lead American Music Award Nods
BMI trendsetters dominate the list of American Music Awards nominees, announced earlier this week. The stars tapped also reflect the genre ambiguity of the charts, as hip-hop, rock, pop and country intermingle and inform one another. Eminem and Lady Antebellum lead with pack with five nominations each. The rapper’s accolades include Artist of the Year, Favorite Pop/Rock and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist nominations, as well as two nods for Recovery:…
From News, posted 10.14.10
Listeners Clamor for G5kidMurph’s ‘Pretty Boy Swag’
Hip-hop rather infamously eats its young, but that’s no big thing for 18-year-old producer G5kidMurph. Murph – born Joshua Murphy – produced one of the summer’s major tracks, Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em’s smash “Pretty Boy Swag,” which easily broke into Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart and enjoyed a three-month-plus run on the Hot 100. As nothing succeeds like success, Murph is becoming steadily more in demand, with the potential…
From MusicWorld, posted 10.13.10
BMI Presents Building the Beat during A3C Hip Hop Festival
Now in its 6th year, the A3C Hip Hop Festival is a two-day, three-night event held annually in Atlanta, GA. This year’s festival is slated for Oct 7-10, 2010. Since 2005, the event has featured over 500 of the most powerful artists in hip-hop, including B.o.B, Black Sheep, The Clipse, DJ Premier, The Juice Crew, Killer Mike, Little Brother, Rakim, Souls of…
From News, posted 10.01.10
USA Today ‘Platinum Possibilities’ Dominated by BMI Songwriters
Autumnal album release schedules are traditionally stacked with highly anticipated music. USA Today music writers Edna Gundersen, Steve Jones, Jerry Shriver, Elysa Gardner and Brian Mansfield recently profiled the 2010 lineup, and the group’s list of promising projects is dominated by BMI singer/songwriters. In fact, all but one of USA Today's Fall Music Preview's "12 platinum possibilities" are courtesy of BMI trendsetters. First on the list:
From News, posted 9.20.10
BMI Honors will.i.am, Lil Wayne, Polow Da Don, EMI Music Publishing & More at Urban Awards
BMI saluted the songwriters, producers and music publishers of the most-performed R&B, rap and hip-hop songs tonight at its annual Urban Awards. BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Catherine Brewton, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, hosted the ceremony along with Ray J at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. BMI presented the BMI President’s Award to will.i.am in…
From News, posted 9.11.10
Gap Band’s Robert Wilson Dies
Robert Wilson, bassist for the Gap Band, has died. He was 53. Honored as BMI Icons in 2005, the Gap Band are funk giants. Brothers Charlie, Robert and Ronnie Wilson founded the group in their native Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they were discovered by the legendary Leon Russell. The group released 15 Top Ten and four #1 r&b hits, including "You Dropped a Bomb On Me," "Party Train,"…
From News, posted 8.16.10
Chiddy Bang: A Tale of Two Teens
Imagine that you are an American teenager. You are an aspiring rapper. And in the course of a single year, you go from playing keg parties in dorm rooms to commanding crowds in far-flung cities like London. And, get this: The radios there are playing your songs. In that same year, you earn the backslaps of hip-hop behemoths like Pharrell, Q-Tip and Kanye West. All this really…
From MusicWorld, posted 8.16.10
Trey Songz Proves He’s ‘Ready’
Just five years ago, a cocksure young crooner emerged into the r&b morass, informing the world that he was going to make it. Literally, that’s what he sang: “Gotta Make It.” His was an affirmation that seemed feasible rather than absolute, given the frequently fast flame-out of urban pop singers. To boot, the kid was coming from the not-entirely-glamorous Petersburg, Virginia, a tiny town south of Richmond lacking the instant…
From MusicWorld, posted 8.10.10
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.…
From News, posted 8.05.10
will.i.am Changes the Game
Make no mistake: will.i.am is out to change the world. You can hear it in the futuristic beats and rhymes of the Black Eyed Peas’ monster hit “Boom Boom Pow.” You can see it in Will’s cutting edge fashions, feel it in the passion he brings to his philanthropy and political activism. And you know it from his conversation. Bring up any topic —…
From MusicWorld, posted 7.22.10
BET Awards Toast BMI Urban Stars
BMI hip-hop heavyweights took home the majority of musical category statuettes handed out during the annual BET Awards, held Sunday, June 27. Multi-media phenomenon Drake earned the Best Male Hip-Hop Artist crown, while his fellow BMI hit-maker Trey Songz claimed the Best Male R&B Artist title. Nicki Minaj underscored the power of her breakout year with double wins: Best Female Hip-Hop…
From News, posted 6.29.10
Pre-BET Awards Reception Celebrates BMI Nominees
BMI partnered with BET.com, The Stereotypes, August Rigo and Alpine Entertainment group to co-host a private pre-BET Awards reception on Friday, June 25 at Philippe Chow to toast BMI’s songwriters, producers and artists nominated for BET trophies. In addition to The Stereotypes and Rigo, the private affair attracted chart-topping game-changers and industry decision-makers including Drake, Birdman, Brandy and Ray-J, Pleasure P,
From News, posted 6.29.10
P-Funk Guitarist Garry Shider Dies
Parliament-Funkadelic guitarist Garry Shider has died. He was 56. The ingenuous musical director of BMI Icon George Clinton’s Parliament and Funkadelic supergroups, Shider also co-wrote several of the bands’ most-loved hits, including “Atomic Dog,” “Do That Stuff,” and “One Nation Under a Groove.” In addition to composing countless Parliament-Funkadelic arrangements, Shider frequently provided back-up vocals. Shider’s penchant for funk-laced guitar grooves and rock-fueled drive…
From News, posted 6.21.10
‘Levi’s Pioneer Sessions: The Revival Recordings’ features BMI Trendsetters
The Levi’s brand is a cultural bridge, connecting chic urbanites with working cowboys, and 19th-century pragmatism with vintage cool and contemporary edge. Subsequently, Levi’s inaugural “Levi’s® Pioneer Sessions: The Revival Recordings” carries the penchant for connection into music. For the series, a selection of today’s trendsetters in pop, rock, soul and folk have rerecorded classics, subscribing to the mantra that in the face of evolving trends, “the song is everything.”…
From News, posted 5.27.10
Unsigned Urban Showcase Winner Nicoya: Ready to Inspire
She has survived the difficult aftermath of Hurricane Ike, endured the painful break-up of her decade-old singing group, and suffered the myriad disappointments most performers experience in pursuit of their dream. So when technical problems threatened to sabotage Nicoya’s performance at the 13th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase in Atlanta, the BMI singer/songwriter did what came naturally. She persevered…with style. After making the final four from a field…
From MusicWorld, posted 5.25.10
Mike Best Brings the ‘Wow’
For a moment, Mike Best was stymied. Asked to name three superstar acts he dreamed of collaborating with, the unsigned BMI writer/producer pondered, then offered up the following thoughtful reply: “I would like to work with an up-and-coming artist and actually give them their sound,” Best said. “It would be great to find somebody that’s really talented, that’s hungry like me—an artist that’s going to be the…
From MusicWorld, posted 4.23.10
Lloyd, Drake, Travis Porter Rule 13th Annual BMI Unsigned Urban Showcase
Newcomer Nicoya Wins Top Prize, Big Boi Receives Legends of ATL Award BMI presented its 13th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase April 20, at the Havana Club in Atlanta. Hosted by R&B crooner Lloyd and DJ Drama, the showcase featured performances by hip-hop heir apparent Drake and Atlanta-bred Travis Porter, who each brought their respective high-energy sounds. The evening began with…
From News, posted 4.21.10
Kalenna Harper: The Big Yes
As one of the members of Dirty Money, Kalenna Harper reports to demanding guru Diddy. What’s that like? “OK, you have to print this just as I say it,” she says. “Working with him, the pressure is on. He wants to get the best out of you. When you accomplish so much, you expect people to overproduce.” If anybody can handle the challenge, it’s her; look at…
From MusicWorld, posted 4.09.10
Jason Derülo Speaks for Himself
For 20-year-old r&b hitmaker Jason Derülo, it all began with seeing Michael Jackson on TV. “I was five years old,” he recalls. “I was so intrigued by the guy that I told my mom I wanted to be just like him.” Hardly the first time such a statement has been made, but for Derülo (born Desrouleaux, which he changed for easier pronunciation), it was…
From MusicWorld, posted 4.08.10
Ester Dean Delivers in Eye-Popping Neon
If music appeared in color, Ester Dean’s would dazzle in eye-popping neon. Look at her logo: her name, sprawled in WOW! POW! font typically used to detail exploits of comic book heroes. Consider her hyperkinetic first single, “Drop It Low,” and its corresponding video, an over-the-top explosion of Technicolor, candy-coated youthful exuberance. “I’m young and I’m fresh,” she exclaims. “My music is energy. It’s like a freaking…
From MusicWorld, posted 4.06.10
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…
From MusicWorld, posted 3.25.10
Hip-Hop Laureate Drake to Headline BMI’s 13th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase April 20 in Atlanta
Atlanta-bred Travis Porter to perform and R&B crooner Lloyd to host event at Havana Club Music by DJ Ruckus BMI will present its 13th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase Tuesday, April 20, featuring a combination of the recording industry’s eminent stars and most-promising unsigned talent. Staged at the Havana Club (3112 Piedmont Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA), the event begins at 10 p.m.; doors…
From News, posted 3.24.10
Gamble & Huff Honored at 26th Annual NABOB Awards
BMI was a sponsor of the 26th National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) Annual Communications Awards Dinner, held Friday, March 19 in Washington, D.C. BMI Icons Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff earned the Pioneer in Music Award, which recognizes the reverberating influence of their Philadelphia sound. Additional honorees included Maxwell, Hezekiah Walker and Rev. Al Sharpton. …
From News, posted 3.23.10
Submit Applications for Music 101: Building the Beat Workshop by March 16
BMI’s Atlanta office is currently accepting submissions from aspiring producers for the exclusive Music 101: Building the Beat workshop, featuring top producer Zaytoven, whose work includes helming boards for Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane, Soulja Boy, Plies, and #1 single “Papers,” recorded by Usher. 15 applicants will be selected not only to attend the workshop, but also to compete with one another for dinner with Zaytoven. Submissions must…
From News, posted 3.09.10
Grammy Winners & Nominees Take Center Stage at BMI’s ‘How I Wrote That Song’ Panel
BMI presented a Grammy-infused version of its acclaimed “How I Wrote That Song” panel discussion series on Saturday, January 30 at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. Sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, Brand X, and Levi’s, the discussion featured insight from Grammy Award-winning rapper and songwriter Common; multiple Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Colbie Caillat; multiple Grammy-winning rapper and songwriter Nas; multiple Grammy-winning producer
From News, posted 2.12.10
BMI Now Accepting Submissions for 13th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase
BMI is currently accepting submissions for its 13th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase, to be held in Atlanta; date to be announced. Aspiring artists from all urban genres, including r&b, rap, and hip-hop, are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to perform at this lauded, star-spotting annual showcase. Four finalists will be selected to compete in front of a panel of music industry heavyweights, including top executives, artists, producers, managers and…
From News, posted 2.03.10
Sean Garrett on Getting It Right
Responsible for co-writing a dizzying number of hit singles, from Usher’s “Yeah!,” Fergie’s “London Bridge,” and Ciara’s “Goodies,” to Chris Brown’s “Run It!,” Beyonce’s “Diva,” and Nelly’s “Grillz,” Sean Garrett might be excused for manifesting a healthy sense of hubris. “I knew I could sing when I was three,” he declares, “and to be in a position to write and perform all these songs…
From MusicWorld, posted 1.25.10
Rock-and-Roll Songwriting Giant Bobby Charles Dies
Legendary songwriter Bobby Charles has died. He was 71. The co-writer of classics including Fats Domino’s “Walking to New Orleans,” Frogman Henry’s “I Don’t Know Why I Love You (But I Do),” Bill Haley & the Comets’ “See You Later Alligator,” and many others, Charles veritably helped launch rock-and-roll. The recipient of numerous BMI Pop and R&B Awards, Charles created a rich catalog that…
From News, posted 1.15.10
BMI Growth Outpaces U.S. Economy During Century’s First Decade
BMI’s revenues surged by more than 80 percent and royalty distributions increased by almost 90 percent during the first decade of the 21st century, while the overall U.S. economy remained stagnant during that same period, with The Washington Post reporting that gross domestic product increased by less than 20% and household net worth declined by 4 percent, Not all areas of the music industry have fared so well during the…
From News, posted 1.07.10
Kevin Cossom’s Good Karma
In the tradition of his r&b predecessors, singer/songwriter Kevin Cossom discovered the joy of music through singing the Lord’s praises in church choir. But with the auspicious launch of his solo career, Cossom’s life has taken a curious turn: The Orlando singer/songwriter has gone from delivering praise to receiving it. The first signee to N.A.R.S. Records — the new imprint founded by producer Danja (
From MusicWorld, posted 12.26.09
Elvis Williams: The Real Thing
Like the American icon whose name he bears, Elvis Williams — dubbed BlacElvis — benefited from a blues and gospel-soaked upbringing in small-town Mississippi before cutting his teeth in Memphis. Growing up in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Williams accompanied his grandfather, blues singer Big Jack Johnson, on gigs to bars in Memphis. “I was amazed,” he says. “I wasn’t scared.” By 12, the self-taught keyboardist started playing piano in…
From MusicWorld, posted 12.23.09
Terms of use |
Privacy policy |
Songwriter101 |
RSS |
Copyright 1994-2012, Broadcast Music, Inc. unless otherwise specified.
BMI®, BMI.com® and Broadcast Music, Inc.® are registered trademarks of Broadcast Music, Inc.
BMI®, BMI.com® and Broadcast Music, Inc.® are registered trademarks of Broadcast Music, Inc.