Rap legend LL Cool
J was honored with ASCAP’s Golden Note Award last night (June 26) at the 19th
Annual ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel
in Los Angeles.
Kevin Liles, former
Def Jam president and current VP of Warner Music Group co-presented the award
to LL Cool J along with ASCAP’s chairman, Marilyn Bergman.
LL was recognized
for his contributions to music. Additionally, DJ Scratch, who produced several
of LL Cool J’s hits, earned a standing ovation by mixing LL Cool J’s#### single,
along with his well known turntablist tricks.
50 Cent and Jermaine
Dupri were named Songwriters of the Year, marking the second time that 50 Cent
(real Curtis Jackson) has been named ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the
Year.
In contrast, the
title of Songwriter of the Year was the fifth time Dupri has been honored with
the prestigious award. Dupri earned the title for the second consecutive year.
Co-hosted in Los Angeles, CA, by multi-platinum R&B songstress Ciara, the
19th Annual ASCAP awards celebrated and presented awards to songwriters and
publishers of the most performed ASCAP songs on the 2005 R&B/Hip-Hop, Rap,
Reggae and Gospel charts.
Other notable honorees included EMI Music Publishing picking up the Publisher
of the Year title; Soundtrack Song of the Year honors went to Amerie’s
"1 Thing" from the movie Hitch; while Sean Paul was named Reggae Artist
of the Year.
Other winners included
Bun B., Webbie, David Banner and others.
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization
that was established to protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates
by licensing copyrighted works and distributing royalties.
ASCAP represents over 8 million copyrighted musical works of every style and
genre from more than 240,000 composer, lyricist and music publisher members.