News Archive
Singing and dancing came as naturally to New Orleans-born Lloyd Polite as learning his ABCs. He grew up in Atlanta, where music was a constant in his home: His mother played piano and sang in the church choir and his dad was the choir director and played saxophone. At an…
Rick Ross
It’s been hard to miss Rick Ross lately, and not only because of the rap star’s hulking 300-pound frame. One person who’d surely agree would be Jay-Z. Once Ross’s underground anthem “Hustlin” turned into a street smash, Jay-Z began a hunt for the Miami-bred rapper that sparked a bidding frenzy…
BMI Celebrates Urban Music at 2004 Awards with Top Writers, Producers, Publishers
Al Green Honored as BMI ICON BMI saluted the premier R&B, rap and hip-hop songwriters, producers and publishers at its 2004 BMI Urban Awards, staged tonight (8/27) at the Grand Ballroom at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resorts & Towers in Miami Beach.
Irv Gotti Heads Back to the Studio
BMI's Cheryl Dickerson dropped by the studio to greet multi-talented producer and songwriter Irv Gotti who was in town working on his latest studio project with Lloyd Polite. Polite, who co-wrote all but one of the songs on the project, is featured on a duet with Ashanti called "Southside"…
BMI Reports Revenue Increase
BMI reported revenues of more than $629.7 million for the 2003 fiscal year, it was announced following the company's Annual Meeting. BMI President and CEO Frances W. Preston said "the revenues were the largest in the company's history, continuing an 18-year upward trend of revenue increases." Revenues increased $55.5…
BMI Honors Top UK, European Writers and Publishers at London Awards
BMI tonight (9/16) saluted the top UK and European songwriters and publishers in the pop, urban, country, dance, college and film/TV music genres at its 2003 London Awards. The gala dinner and awards ceremony, which honors the most performed songs on US radio and television written by members of its…
Irv Gotti Makes Murder Inc. a Metaphor for Success
Songs are often metaphoric messages, with lyrics often working on a variety of levels. But metaphors also can be effective, if not controversial, in other cases, such as when it comes to choosing a name for your record company. Just ask Irv Gotti, CEO of Murder Inc., a label…
BMI Celebrates Urban Music at 2003 Awards Ceremony
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…
Stars Coming Out For BMI Urban Awards 2003
BMI announced today the first confirmed attendees to its Urban Awards 2003, to be held Tuesday, August 5 at Club Tropigala at the Fountainebleau Hilton Resorts & Towers in Miami Beach. Scheduled to perform a salute to Isaac Hayes are Anthony Hamilton (Arista Records), former backup singer for D'Angelo and…
BMI Salutes Top Names in Music at 51st Annual Pop Awards
Legendary Songwriting Trio Holland-Dozier-Holland Honored as ICONS BMI saluted the past year's 50 most performed songs during the 51st Annual BMI Pop Awards tonight, with superlatives reserved for Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" as Song of the Year, Irv Gotti as Songwriter of the Year…