Rapper/producer Wyclef Jean will be among a group of musicians being honored later this month by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
The entertainer will receive the ASCAP Creative Voice Award at the organization’s 26th annual Pop Music Awards.
The invitation-only event, which will take place April 22, 2009 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, CA, is part of ASCAP’s I Create Music Week, a week-long series of events in LA that celebrate the voice of the music creator.
Jean’s ability to utilize his talents and fame towards being a positive influence among fans was more than enough to qualify him for the Creative Voices Award, according to ASCAP president and chairman Marilyn Bergman.
“Wyclef is one of this generation’s most musically innovative and passionate artists,” she told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “He is not only a hero to millions of music fans around the world, but to the millions of people he helps through his Yéle Haiti Foundation. The ASCAP Creative Voice Award is an honor he richly deserves.”
The Creative Voice award is given to an ASCAP member or group whose significant career achievements are equally informed by their creative spirit and by their contributions to the role that a creator can play in their community.
Jean will be in good company as past Creative Voice award honorees include Metallica and Green Day.
The former Fugees member will not be only entertainer recognized by ASCAP.
The organization will honor the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most performed pop songs of 2008 as well as present singer/songwriter Santigold with its Vanguard Award.
The honor highlights the impact of musical genres that help shape the future of American music.
As this year’s Vanguard Award recipient, Santigold joins past Vanguard Award honorees The All-American Rejects, Sara Bareilles, Beck, the Strokes and Jack Johnson.
“Santi is an extremely talented artist,” Bergman said. “Her knowledge of the industry coupled with her skills as a songwriter and performer makes her a force to be reckoned with. We are delighted to honor her with ASCAP’s Vanguard Award.”
Joining Jean and Santigold at the Pop Music Awards will be sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson of the pop/rock group Heart.
The duo, which will perform at the ceremony along with Jean, will be presented with the ASCAP Founders award.
