The 2024 BMI Pop Awards celebrated the music industry’s powerhouses – both the performers and the creative minds behind the hits.
The 2024 BMI Pop Awards lit up Beverly Hills with a symphony of talent, where the only thing brighter than the stage lights were the smiles of music’s finest as they created connections that will last a lifetime.
Other winners included Doja Cat for BMI’s Pop Songwriter of the Year, as well as “Stay” which received Pop Song of the Year.
Club LIV, located at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, FL was the place to be last week for the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. The spectacular and extremely exclusive event was hosted by Mike O’Neill, BMI president and CEO, and Catherine Brewton, BMI vice president, creative.
The evening started with the artist, producers, family members, and other VIP guests walking the red carpet and showcasing their outfits, as well as being interviewed, and photographed before they get into the awards show. We got the pleasure to speak with a variety of artists such as; Christopher ‘YC’ Pearson, India Shawn, Lil Scrappy, Adiz “Bambi” Benson, Travis Porter, Morray, 808 Mafia, ATL Jacob, DJ Khaled, and the 2022 BMI Icon, Busta Rhymes. The interviews can be found on our Instagram.
After the Red Carpet guest made their way inside the event where they could listen to jams played by DJ Nasty and guests were welcomed by DJ Khaled. Guests also were invited to indulge in an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. On the menu were; chicken and waffles, many types of empanadas, and a variety of flatbreads. My personal favorite was the carne asada empanadas they were filled with some much flavor and the meat was cooked to perfection.
The crowd got to enjoy performances from singer-songwriter Pheelz and Morray. Towards the end of the night Busta Rhymes preformed “Break Ya Neck,” “Scenario” and “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” with Spliff Star and DJ Scratchator. Closing the evening Busta Rhymes and Pharrell Williams preformed “Pass the Courvoisier.”
“As one of the pioneers of hip-hop, we are excited to honor Busta Rhymes as a BMI Icon,” said Brewton. “Through his award-winning solo work, countless collaborations and acting, Busta is a true innovator in every sense of the word and has made a dynamic impact on legions of fans and music creators worldwide.
Rhymes launched his musical career in the early 90s with the hip-hop crew Leaders of the New School. He moved on to become an in-demand collaborator, appearing on numerous tracks for other artists before he officially went solo in 1996 with his massive hit, “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check.” The single was quickly certified platinum, earning him his first GRAMMY nomination. Throughout the ’90s and 2000s, he was a creative force, topping the charts, including debuting at number one in 2006 with his seventh studio album, The Big Bang. Several of his hit songs, such as “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See,” “Break Ya Neck,” “Dangerous,” “Gimme Some More” and “What’s It’s Gonna Be?,” featuring Janet Jackson, became hip-hop anthems, solidifying his place as one of the most in-demand rappers in the industry. In 2020, he independently released the critically acclaimed ELE 2: The Wrath of God, with NME saying it was “arguably one of the best-produced hip-hop albums of the last five years.”
Beyond his work in music, Rhymes has appeared in several films and television series, including in Shaft, Finding Forrester, Master of None, The Rugrats Movie and he competed in The Masked Singer on FOX.
As the 2022 BMI Icon, Busta Rhymes joins an elite group of music creators who have received BMI’s highest honor. Past BMI Icons include: Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers, Snoop Dogg, The Jacksons, LA Reid, Babyface, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, James Brown and more.
Song of the year: Justin Bieber hit “Peaches,” featuring GIVĒON and Daniel Caesar.
Songwriter of the year: Megan Thee Stallion and Christopher “YC” Pearson tied. YC and Megan Thee Stallion co-wrote three of the most performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs.
Megan Thee Stallion: “Body,” “Cry Baby” and “Thot Shit.”
Christopher “YC” Pearson: “Time Today” and “Wockesha” and Pooh Shiesty’s “Back in Blood”
R&B/Hip-Hop publisher of the year: Sony Music Publishing
Producer of the year: D’Mile. His work included: Silk Sonic’s “Smokin Out the Window,” “Skate” and “Leave the Door Open,” and “Fair Trade” by Drake and Travis Scott.
Top producer citations: Isaac “Zac” De Boni, ATL Jacob, Michael “Finatik” Mulé, Kanye West, Charlie Handsome, and Rogét Chahayed.
Lastly, but definitely not least, Busta Rhymes was named a BMI Icon at the 2022 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards.
To learn more about the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, visit here and use the hashtag #BMIRnBHHAwards on social media.
Courtesy of @indiashawn
With the wind effortlessly blowing, the beautiful songbird, India Shawn, took to the BMI’s Lollapalooza stage to pour out her soul with her R&B songs that are a collection of honesty, trials, and triumphs. Clad in pink with feathers, the LA base songwriter and songstress, belted out the ethereal, “Floating away.” She followed it with her honest and retro vibe song, “Don’t Play With My Heart,” before diving into her laid-back song, “Cali Love.” Then Shawn took a second to chat with fans. She expressed her frustration about living in LA and the lack of finding honest love despite trying.
After taking a beat, she dove into her song “Too Sweet.” With sensual moves, she reminded the audience that she cannot only tempt but also reward those who love her. Accompanied on stage by her guitarist and drummer, India Shawn ruled the stage captivating those in the audience who love to sing along with her, especially for “Too Sweet.”
Shawn changes things up for her next song, “Not Too Deep.” Slowing the tempo down, she made every word in the lyrics not only heard but felt with deep emotion and honesty. With sensuality on full display, Shawn then got brutally honest for her next song, “Exchange.” Hitting high notes, she made the audience feel the moment, in which she put pen to paper to craft the song.
Shawn then reminded her fans that not only is she sensual, but she is also strong. Belting out the song, “Superfine,” she championed her happiness over heartbreak all while noting to everyone that she is one fine-ass individual. She then gave the crowd her rendition of Brandy’s “Almost Doesn’t Count,” before singing “Movin on.” She rounded out her performance with her final song “Caught In The Middle,” which she released only days before Lollapalooza.
Check out India Shawn’s new music video for “Caught In The Middle.”
@buffalonicholsmusic
Life can teach you many lessons, even ones that you don’t want to learn, but for rhythm and blues singer/ songwriter, Buffalo Nichols has taken those life challenges and channeled them into a brutally honest and authentic hard-working music career. Better or for worse, married to the music as well as his guitar, Nichols has traveled the globe from Milwaukee to West Africa to Texas and Europe with the mission to turn an artist’s dream into reality and bring blues music into the future by putting stories of black Americans back into folk music.
His latest stop on his journey has brought him to the iconic Lollapalooza BMI stage. In front of a packed audience of young and old and every color, Nichols sang his heart out. A company just by his guitar and a drummer, he held the audience’s soul in the palm of his hand. With the audience hanging on his every word, he admits his captivating stage presence is not one that he developed overnight. “It’s definitely learned and not natural,” he said. It’s evident that his undeniable stage presence has been one that has been earned through years of setbacks, challenges, and strife culminating in an excruciating pressure that only develops the world’s rarest gems.
As for his music, it seems to have hit a cord with the masses given the pain brought on by the pandemic. He acknowledges with songs like “Living In Hell,” his music has been resonating with more and more people, “I think… a lot of people were trying to escape from the darkness of the last two years, but I think a lot of people are giving into it…not in a negative way but just accepting it. I think that’s why people come to my music.”
Accepting one’s fake can be a love and hate relationship, which is something he can identify with when it comes to his guitar. “It means everything and nothing,” he says about his six strings. “I tried so hard not to play guitar and do something else with my life, but it just [keeps] calling me back,” he admits. “I love it; it’s ruined my life and saved my life,” he said.
As for the next chapter on Nichols’s Journey, well he’s back on the road. His next stop will be AMERICANAFEST before heading to New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Texas, and Little Rock Arkansas.
Courtesy of @realcottontale
“I’m from Chicago, the birthplace of gospel” and with those words music producer and composer turned performer, Peter CottonTale, made history at this year’s BMI Stage at Chicago’s Lollapalooza. Now, the iconic and legendary BMI stage at Lollapalooza is known for supporting emerging, up-and-coming as well as established artists. The stage has been home to acts like Neon Trees, Elle King, and even Lady Gaga.
However, this year’s performance with Peter CottonTale was certainly history-making. At the beginning of his set, he acknowledged the fact that like himself, Chicago, was the birthplace of gospel. He added it was funny that Chicago’s most iconic music festival had never had a gospel performance before. To a packed crowd he joked if those in attendance didn’t get a chance to make it to church today well church is coming to you.
He began his set accompanied by a choir with the song, “God is Love,” before performing “Hi-5,” “He is Real,” and “I Want to Thank You.” He rounded out the first part of his set with his collaboration with the mega-church Hillsong for the songs, “As I Am” and “Grateful/Together.”
Not missing the opportunity to collaborate with some of his famous friends and those he admires, Peter CottonTale was then joined on stage by Reese for the guitar and keyboard-driven song “Do Your Thing.” CottonTale followed that performance up with the toe-tapping and uplifting “When I Get There,” with Jamila. He rounded out this part of the set with Joey performing “Don’t Leave” and then “Give It Up to God.” He also teamed up with Vic Mensa for “No Worries” as well as Tiff Joy for “Feels Like Church.”
Then to the crowd’s delight, the versatile Gammy-winning artist, CottonTale, called on an old friend to come by and help him uplift the crowd during this historic event. CottonTale tapped his decade-long friend and Chicago’s son, Chance the Rapper, to help him deliver powerful renditions of “Pray for Real” and “Forever Always.” Chance the Rapper called out to the crowd numerous times to show his love and support.
At the end of the show, the 15+ performers all headed backstage to commemorate this historic moment. It’s during this time that we caught up with the one the only Chance the Rapper, who expressed what the moment meant to him. “It’s amazing,” Chance acknowledged about the moment. He added, “it’s a blessing [especially on a Sunday], absolutely!”
The Knockturnal got the chance to talk to some of the writers behind your favorite songs. Have you ever wondered what it takes to make it in the music industry, or why some people choose to stay more “behind the scenes” when it comes to music? Well, The Knockturnal has some of the answers for you after attending the BMI Pop Music Awards on May 10, 2022 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills California.
First we talked to BMI’s 2022 Songwriter of the Year Michael Pollack who gave us some advice on what it takes to be a great songwriter!
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Next we got to chat with Tia Tia who is the songwriter behind “My Head & My Heart” last night at the 2022 BMI Pop Awards!
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After that we also got to interview Jessica Agombar who is the songwriter behind BTS’s “Dynamite” and she talked to us about what it was like writing a song that has touched so many around the world during a difficult time.
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BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MAY 10: (L-R) Omer Fedi, winner of multiple awards such as Song of the Year for ‘Mood’ and Songwriter of the Year, and Addison Rae attend the 70th Annual BMI Pop Awards at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on May 10, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for BMI)
We also got to interview Brandon “SlimXX” Allen who is the producer behind Machine Gun Kelly’s “my ex’s bestfriend” last night and during the interview we also got an appearance by BMI 2022 songwriter of the year Omer Fedi.
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We had a great time chatting with Oliver “Junior” Frid and Tayla Parx who are both behind Ariana Grande’s “POV” and told us about what it is like working together especially in such a collaborative industry.
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Afterwards we also got to talk to the amazing Nija Charles who won two BMI Awards last night for being the songwriter behind Ariana Grande’s “positions” and Maroon 5’s “Nobody’s Love”.
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Celebrating over 80 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®) is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in over 18.7 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.2 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI’s repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites, span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MAY 10: (L-R) Songwriter of the Year award co-winner Michael Pollack, President and Chief Executive Officer of BMI Michael O’Neill, and Songwriter of the Year award co-winner Omer Fedi attend the 70th Annual BMI Pop Awards at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on May 10, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for BMI)
We got to interview Sarah “Solly”Solovay who is the songwriter behind Jason Derulo’s @jasonderulo “Take You Dancing” who talked to us about what winning an award like this means to her.
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Not only did we get to interview Stephen Kirk about what it was like working on BTS’s “Butter”, but we also got an inside look to some of the future projects he is working on.
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When talking Oak Felder, who is a music creative behind Demi Lovato’s “I Love Me”, he told us a little bit about how amazing it was to be at an event like this with all his friends again especially after being mostly work from home due to COVID-19.
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We also got to interview Andrew Goldstein who is the songwriter behind Maroon 5 and Meg the Stallion’s “Beautiful Mistakes”, All Time Low and blackbear’s “Monsters”, and Machine Gun Kelly and blackbear’s “my ex’s bestfriend”.
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The event was an absolute dream featuring an amazing dinner, full bar, and tons of amazing performances that really set the tone for the night. Thanks to the BMI’s so many celebrated and accomplished music creatives that would typically be more behind the scenes were highlighted at this amazing even and got to join an amazing lineage of celebrated songwriters and producers. When we got to talk to some of these songwriters and producers they were all in agreement that thanks to BMI they also get to shine under the spotlight and be appreciated for all the work they do.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MAY 10: Michael Pollack attends the 70th Annual BMI Pop Awards at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on May 10, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images for BMI)
Check out our interviews with some of the award winning songwriters being celebrated that night as well as our behind the scenes TikTok!
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