BMI was shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Pop Smoke, who died today at age 20. A promising young talent originally hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Pop Smoke (born Bahsar Barakah Jackson) was initially renowned for remixing tracks within New York’s drill music scene before making a… Read more...
BMI is saddened by the passing of tenor saxophonist and jazz great, Jimmy Heath. Having achieved the highest honor bestowed upon a jazz musician, the title of NEA Jazz Master, Heath was known for his lively and playful compositions and arrangements, expertly and seamlessly knowing exactly where and when to play… Read more...
BMI was saddened to learn of the death of 5th Ward Weebie, who passed away Thursday at the age of 42. A pivotal pioneer of the bounce music scene in his native New Orleans, Weebie, whose real name was Jerome Cosey, helped put Louisiana on the hip-hop map via singles like… Read more...
BMI is sadden by the passing of BMI composer and renowned music instructor John Peter (Jack) Smalley. Funded by the GI bill after World War II, the talented Smalley traveled to Paris and studied under Darius Milhaud, while also performing as a jazz bassist with the likes of Django Reinhardt and… Read more...
BMI is very saddened by the death of world renowned songwriter and visionary artist Allee Willis, who passed away at the age of 72 on December 24, 2019. Widely known for co-writing iconic hits such as Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September,” the Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance” and the Pet Shop Boys’… Read more...
BMI is profoundly saddened to learn of the death of rapper/singer/songwriter Juice WRLD, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 21. A remarkable talent with tremendous promise, Juice WRLD – whose real name was Jarad Anthony Higgins – was on his way to forging an impactful career when… Read more...
BMI is mourning the death of legendary Mexican singer/songwriter/actor José José, who passed away Saturday, September 28, at the age of 71. A titan of the Latin music community and a longstanding BMI affiliate, José José, whose real name was José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz, pursued a highly influential career that spawned… Read more...
BMI is saddened by the loss of prolific songwriter/producer Busbee, real name Michael James Ryan, who passed away Saturday, September 28, at the age of 43. Busbee had become a truly prominent figure in country and pop music, having crafted numerous hits for a veritable who’s-who of artists, including Florida Georgia… Read more...
BMI is saddened by the loss of renowned classical composer and mentor, Christopher Rouse, who passed away on Saturday in Baltimore at the age of 70. The Pulitzer Prize-winning symphonist is known for pursuing and capturing the expressive spirit of “New Romanticism,” a term he himself used to describe his extensive… Read more...
BMI is saddened by the loss of longtime BMI team member Faye Anthony Smith, who passed away on September 13, 2019. Faye joined BMI in 1979, beginning as a receptionist before becoming the Corporate Events Coordinator in both the Nashville and New York offices. She loved music and working on events… Read more...
