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 Presidentโs 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 โIt Wonโt 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 Presidentโs award. Out of all her countless hits Toni confessed her favorite songs to sing are โBreathe Againโ and โMan Enough For Me.โ
CEO of BMIย Michael O’Neillย also commented on the criteria to winning the President award. He said,ย โWhen 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.โ
On the red Carpet DJ Khaled expressed the purpose and importance of BMI to artists such as himself.ย โBMIโฆ 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 oneโฆ BMI has been rocking with me from the mud to the marble floors!โ
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.ย โItโs a blessing to be here with everyone youโve 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, itโs like the Emmys, or anything else. To be appreciated and recognized is a blessing.โ
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 โSong Book Entertainmentโ was wearingย 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.
