June 11, 2003

PRESS CONTACT:
Blanca Lasalle – Creativelink Tel: 212-684-6001 ext. 101 Cell: 917-678-6704	Esther Sansaurus – ASCAP Tel: (212)621-6323

Timbaland, Alicia Keys, Lil’ Mo, Kay Gee, Warryn Campbell, Mr. Cheeks, Musiq, Chink Santana, Glenn Lewis, Lo Down, Loon, Playa, Tye Tribbett and the Neptunes’ Chad Hugo were among the honorees and performers attending the 16th Annual ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards tonight at the Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center. Over 600 music and entertainment luminaries gathered to celebrate the songwriters behind some of today’s most popular music as awards were presented to songwriters and publishers of top R&B/Hip-Hop, Rap and Reggae music in the ASCAP repertory. Elektra recording artist Lil’ Mo, whose current single, “4 Ever,” is climbing the Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles charts, was a special guest host of the evening’s festivities along with ASCAP President and Chairman and three-time Academy Award-winning songwriter Marilyn Bergman.

The evening was highlighted with special performances by gospel act Tye Tribbett & GA, the group Playa and Lil’ Mo.

The Songwriter of the Year award went to Timbaland for his four award-winning songs, Aaliyah’s “I Care 4 U” and “More Than A Woman,” Tweet’s “Oops (Oh My)” and Missy Elliott’s “Work It,” which dominated the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart at No. 1 for 12 weeks and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart at No. 1 for 5 weeks. Timbaland is a second-time recipient of the award, having also won it in 2001. As one of the most influential and sought-after producers and songwriters, Timbaland’s skills have bolstered the careers of multi-platinum artists like Ginuwine, Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Nas, Justin Timberlake, Ludacris and Jay-Z, to name a few.

As a result, Tim's innovative music has changed the way we look at and listen to popular music today. Timbaland now also heads his own label, Beat Club Records, where he is nurturing talent like Bubba Sparxxx, Ms. Jade, and most recently, Kiley Dean. Timbaland also executive produced the film 30 Years to Life and wrote much of the film’s score. No stranger to the film world, his other soundtrack credits include Romeo Music Die, Nutty Professor II and Moulin Rouge.

Another highlight of the evening was the presentation to radio pioneer Hal Jackson of the first ASCAP Broadcaster Legend Award. This award was presented to Jackson for introducing the music of America’s great songwriters and composers to millions of radio listeners. Over his long career, Hal accomplished many “firsts” that have paved the way for other aspiring African-American broadcasters, musicians and performers. Hal was the first African-American host of a jazz show on the ABC network; the first African-American to host an interracial network television show on NBC-TV; and in the spring of 1980, was the first African-American inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. In 1999, he celebrated 60 years in broadcasting, and he continues to be heard on New York’s WBLS Radio.

Publisher of the Year honors were presented by ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento to EMI Music Publishing/EMI Jobete Music Publishing, for their 16 award-winning songs: “A Woman’s Worth,” “Anything,” “Dilemma,” “Gimme The Light,” “I Love You,” “I Need A Girl (Part One),” “I Need A Girl (Part Two),” “Just A Friend 2002,” “Luv U Better,” “More Than A Woman,” “Pass The Courvoisier Part II,” “Rock The Boat,” “You Don’t Have To Call,” “U Got It Bad,” and for EMI/Jobete’s “Foolish” and “Welcome To Atlanta.” EMI Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier was on hand to accept the award. This marks the tenth year that EMI has been named ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul Publisher of the Year.

“Foolish” written by Ashanti, Bunny DeBarge, Mark DeBarge and Seven was named the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year. The song was published by EMI/Jobete Music Publishing, Pookietoots Publishing and Universal Music Publishing Group.

The Top Rap Song of the Year was Nelly’s “Hot In Herre,” written by Nelly and published by BMG Songs, Inc.

Top Soundtrack Song of the Year honors went to “What’s Luv?” written by Big Pun, Chink Santana, Fat Joe, and Terry Britten (PRS) and published by Famous Music Corp., Jelly’s Jams, LLC., Joseph Cartagena Music, Let Me Show You Music, Soldierz Touch, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Top Reggae Artist of the Year was Beenie Man.

Winning songwriters in attendance included: Timbaland, Ivan Barias, Warryn Campbell, Mr. Cheeks, Stephen “Static” Garrett, Carvin Haggins, Andre Harris, Chauncey “Loon” Hawkins, Chad Hugo, Jalil Hutchins, Mechalie Jamison, Michael “Lo Down” Jones, Kay Gee, Alicia Keys, Glenn Lewis, Falonte Moore, Musiq, Troy Rami, Frank Romano, Erika Rose, Chink Santana, Eric Seats, Muhammad Ali Shaheed, John “Jubu” Smith and Rapture Stewart.

16th Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards

ASCAP is a membership association of over 155,000 composers, songwriters and music publishers of all genres of music. ASCAP members are the dominant creative force in music. ASCAP songwriters secured 100% of the Top Ten R&B and Rap singles, 90% of the top 10 R&B – Hip-Hop singles and airplay based on Billboard’s 2002 year-end charts. The world’s largest performing rights organization, ASCAP protects the rights of its members by licensing and collecting royalties for the public performance of their copyrighted works. ASCAP is the only performing rights organization whose Board of Directors is made up solely of writers and publishers elected by the membership.