One of pop music’s most influential quintets, The Jacksons blazed a trail for r&b and pop music, creating a sound and musical image that is emulated to this day. Hailing from Gary, Indiana, and formed in 1966, the Jackson brothers—Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael and, joining in 1976, younger brother Randy—were a true American success story, transcending race and redefining the sound of pop and r&b music. They were the first group to have their first four singles hit No. 1, and they remain one of the most globally influential pop and r&b groups in history. The Jackson 5 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. In addition to being premier recording and performing artists, the Jacksons wrote multiple hits, including the ’80s “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground),” “2300 Jackson Street,” “Can You Feel It,” and “State of Shock.”
T-Pain, Jonathan “J.R.” Rotem and Kanye West shared the Producer of the Year win thanks to individually logging the most producer credits on charting songs over the past year. The BMI Top Urban Producers list also included DJ Montay, Mr. ColliPark, Polow Da Don, Rodney Jerkins, Soulja Boy Tell’em and will.i.am.
Universal Music Publishing Group earned the BMI Urban Publisher of the Year trophy by scoring the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award songs. The publishing giant’s 20 hits on the most-performed list include “Throw Some D’s” recorded by Rich Boy featuring Polow Da Don; Song of the Year “Irreplaceable;” Flo Rida’s “Low” featuring T-Pain; “You” recorded by LLOYD featuring Lil’ Wayne and Ciara’s “Promise.”
In addition to the BMI performance awards, trade publication Billboard recognized the BMI-affiliated writers whose songs reached No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot Rap Tracks, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Hot 100 charts during the past year.
Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI) is an American performing right organization that represents more than 375,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music and more than 6.5 million works. BMI’s latest financial results, $901 million for its 2008 fiscal year, are the highest performing right collections for any copyright organization in the world. BMI has represented the most popular and beloved music from around the world for over 65 years. The U.S. corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.
For a complete list of 2008 BMI Urban Awards winners, please visit bmi.com/urban and bmi.com/press. Media can access high-resolution photos and event information at bmi.com/press. To request access, please contact mediarelations@bmi.com.
Photo 1: BMI President & CEO Del Bryant, Tito Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Randy Jackson, Marlon Jackson, and BMI Vice President Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton
Photo 2: David Renzer, Chairman and CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group; Songwriter of the Year honoree T-Pain; David Mantel, Executive Vice President Universal Music Publishing Group, East Coast.
