On September 1st BMI songwriters, and producers were honored during the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Top Honors went to Toni Braxton who was awarded the BMI President’s Award for exemplary achievements and contributions to music. This award show was hosted by Chris Tucker and featured DJ Khaled as the opening act. Prior to the ceremony, The Knockturnal caught up with artists such as Toni Braxton, Micah Powell known for “It Won’t Stop,” DJ Khaled, Drumma Boy, and the CEO of BMI.
Toni Braxton was stunning on the red carpet wearing a beautiful sheer off-white couture gown that kissed the floor. Toni appeared with her whole family including her siblings, mom, and her sons. She expressed how grateful, blessed, and surprised she was to be the recipient of the President’s award. Out of all her countless hits Toni confessed her favorite songs to sing are “Breathe Again” and “Man Enough For Me.”
CEO of BMI Michael O’Neill also commented on the criteria to winning the President award. He said, “When we considered who to give a President Award to, we look at their impact on the entertainment industry, their impact on the culture, it’s what they do to give back. And She (Toni) knocks it out the park for every single one.”
On the red Carpet DJ Khaled expressed the purpose and importance of BMI to artists such as himself. “BMI… they have been loyal to me and I have been loyal to them. They have been with me from day one, and they have been supporting me and believing in me from day one… BMI has been rocking with me from the mud to the marble floors!”
Ludacris, (also a BMI President award recipient) along with Yolanda Adams, Ceelo Green, attended the 2016 Award show just to pay tribute, and homage to honoree and her long overdue recognition.
Drumma Boy was stunting is his black and beige. “It’s a blessing to be here with everyone you’ve been working in the studio with. To see the producers and writers you worked with every day during the year and to see us getting awards, it’s like the Emmys, or anything else. To be appreciated and recognized is a blessing.”
Over all the red carpet was flooded with positive vibes and excitement. Other red carpet attendees were Kandi from Atlanta house wives and her husband Todd, giving us the inside scoop on her new groups Officially Glamour, the band Loud, her new life style company Raising Ace, and her restaurant opening soon in Georgia. Troy Taylor with “Song Book Entertainment” was wearing a dapper camo suit jacket.
Rae Sremmurd, Sonny Digital, Derek J, Rich Homie Quan, Mannie Fresh, Chanel from Young Money, and Bobby Valentino were also among the stars at the 2016 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards.
