Photos: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP
LOS ANGELES, June 23, 2023 – Thursday night, ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, presented its inaugural ASCAP Hip-Hop Icon Award to music industry legend Dr. Dre, at a private party on the rooftop of the London West Hollywood. The award was presented by rap star Snoop Dogg.
Dr. Dre was honored for his musical contributions that have made an indelible impact on the art and culture of hip-hop. He is an eight-time Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics. His groundbreaking solo debut album, The Chronic, has been certified triple platinum by the RIAA, reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200 and won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance (“Let Me Ride”). As head of Aftermath Entertainment, Dre discovered hip-hop superstars such as 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak and Eminem. He went on to establish Beats Electronics in 2008, and later Beats Music, both acquired by Apple in 2014.
Celebrities in attendance included hip-hop luminaries, platinum-selling rapper Snoop Dogg, and hip-hop veteran Big Daddy Kane. Other notable attendees included singer-songwriter Varren Wade, Grammy Award-winning producer Warryn Campbell and gospel superstar Erica Campbell, Grammy Award-winning songwriter and artist Joelle James, Chicago legend George Daniels, television industry maverick Mona Scott-Young, Grammy-nominated rapper Wale, songwriter artist Muni Long, ASCAP President Paul Williams, ASCAP Senior Vice President of Membership and Executive Director of The ASCAP Foundation Nicole George-Middleton, genre-blending artist TT The Artist, songwriter Denisia “Blu June” Andrews, multi-award-winning artist Malik Yusef, North America Warner Chappell Music Publishing President Ryan Press, rising New York hip-hop artist Scar Lip, and recording artist Apollo Liberace. Music was provided by Grammy Award-winning DJ Kid Capri.
The event also celebrated ASCAP’s 2023 Rhythm & Soul Music Award winners during a VIP pre-party reception. Winners include Legendury Beatz and Warner Chappell Music for R&B/Hip-Hip Song of the Year “Essence;” Dwan Hill, Big Buddy Music and Fun Attic Music for Gospel Song of the Year “Believe for It;” Songwriter of the Year Dr. Luke for hit songs such as “Big Energy” (Latto), “Need to Know” (Doja Cat) and “Super Freaky Girl” (Nicki Minaj) and Publisher of the Year Warner Chappell Music for songs including “Bad Habit,” “Break My Soul,” “Cuff It,” “Hrs and Hrs” and “First Class.” The awards recognize the songwriters and publishers of the most performed songs of the past year based on Luminate data for terrestrial and satellite radio and streaming services, as specified by ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music awards rules.
About ASCAP
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than 920,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers, and represents some of the world’s most talented music creators. Founded and governed by songwriters, composers and publishers, it is the only performing rights organization in the U.S. that operates as a not-for-profit. ASCAP licenses a repertory of over 18 million musical works to hundreds of thousands of businesses that use music, including streaming services, cable television, radio and satellite radio and brick and mortar businesses such as retail stores, hotels, clubs, restaurants and bars. ASCAP collects the licensing fees; identifies, matches and processes trillions of performances every year; and returns nearly 90 cents of every dollar back to its members as royalties. The ASCAP blanket license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. ASCAP puts music creators first, advocating for their rights and the value of music on Capitol Hill, driving innovation that moves the industry forward, building community and providing the resources and support that creators need to succeed in their careers. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on Twitter and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.
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