G-Unit rapper 50
Cent was named Songwriter of the Year yesterday (May 22) at the 23rd annual
ASCAP Pop Music Awards.
The rapper received
the honor for his contributions to "Candy Shop," "Disco Inferno,"
"Hate It Or Love It," "How We Do," and "Just A Lil
Bit."
Although 50 Cent
wasn’t at the ceremony, he voiced his appreciation in a video message, stating,
"I want to tell you that I use you for energy. I listen to the material
that you create…it helps me move to the next level…it inspires me
to write even more exciting material."
The occasion marks
the second time the wordsmith received the ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year
honor.
Hosted by ASCAP
President & Chairman Marilyn Bergman, the ASCAP Pop Music Awards spotlight
the songwriters responsible for some of today’s most popular music.
Other honorees
included Jermaine Dupri and Sean Garrett, who picked up four awards each; Scott
Storch (3); and Dr. Dre, Ludacris, Missy Elliott, Nelly, and The Game (2).
Dupri, Johnta
Austin and Seal received the Song of the Year award for co-writing Mariah Carey’s
hit single "We Belong Together." The song tied with Green Day’s "Boulevard
of Broken Dreams for the award.
EMI Music Publishing
took home the award for Publisher of the Year for the fourth consecutive year.
The company was
honored for a host of songs, including the Black Eyed Peas’ "Don’t Phunk
With My Heart," Alicia Keys’ "Karma," and Destiny’s Child’s "Lose
My Breath."
More than 700 songwriters,
recording artists and music industry leaders attended the event, which was held
at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.