Last week, the Society of European Stage Authors & Composers (SESAC), the nation’s fastest growing performing rights organization, awarded Rico Love with top honors at the 15th annual SESAC New York Music Awards when he was named Songwriter of the Year at Manhattan’s IAC Building. Hillary Scott, of multi-platinum powerhouse trio Lady Antebellum, took home Song of the Year honors for the mega-hit, “Need You Now,” which was named Top Country Song at the Billboard Music Awards a few days later.
For Rico Love, the past year has been an extraordi- nary success by anyone’s esti- mation. As one of pop music’s most prolific and diverse cre- ative talents, Love hit the top of the charts in 2010 with “There Goes My Baby” and “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” by Usher (featur- ing Plies) as well as “Just a Dream” by Nelly and “Hello Good Morning” (co-written with fellow SESAC hit maker Nate “Danja” Hills), recorded by Diddy-Dirty Money (fea- turing T.I. and Rick Ross) and “Sweet Dreams” by Beyonce. The busy entre- preneur recently added yet another credential to his resume, as he launched Division1 Records, a joint venture with Universal Music Group.
Others noted songwriters honored were Jay Fenix for “It Kills Me” (Melanie Fiona); Traci Hale for “What’s My Name” (Rihanna featuring Drake) and “Letting Go (Dutty Love)” (Sean Kingston featuring Nicki Minaj); Chrisette Michele, “Aston Martin Music” (Rick Ross featuring Drake and Chrisette Michele); Bryan Michael Cox, “Love All Over Me” (Monica); Angela Hunte, “Empire State of Mind” (Jay-Z and Alicia Keys); and Swizz Beatz, “Fancy” and “On to the Next One” (respectively featuring T.I. and Jay-Z).
One of the evening’s many highlights was the celebration of the 100th birthday of music pioneer and undisputed king of the Delta Blues, Robert Johnson. Born in 1911 in Hazelhurst, Miss.,Johnson was one of the most influential voices in American music, influencing a plethora of today’s most heralded artists, including the likes of Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Keb Mo and Jack White.
While it’s cool to honor the song itself, it’s quite pos- sible that it’s the execution of the song that determines whether a recording is a ve- hicle to stardom. Who realizes this better than BET, as they count down to the BET Awards? The brightest stars in music, along with those in acting and sports, will appear and perform at this year’s cer- emony, vying for the coveted statue in the 20 categories.
Leading the pack this year is Chris Brown, with an impressive six nominations across multiple categories: Best Male R&B Artist, Best Collaboration (for which he
holds two nominations), Video of the Year, Best Actor and Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice.
Closely behind Brown is Lil Wayne with five nominations: Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, Best Col- laboration (with fellow nominee Chris Brown), Video of the Year and Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice for his collaborations with Chris Brown and Cory Gunz. Rounding out the list and tied with four nominations each are Kanye West, Rihanna and Drake.
Hosting this year’s show is burgeoning superstar comedian Kevin Hart. “When we asked folks who should host this year’s BET Awards online, in the streets, among other celebs and throughout social media, one name came back to us loud and clear: Kevin Hart,” said Stephen Hill, BET’s president of music programming and specials. “He is a blue flame right now and we are looking forward to working with him on the show. His en- ergy, wit and the always fantastic performances will make for yet another must see event-and the Chocolate Droppa’ [an al- ter ego character created by the actor] might even get a verse in the show.”
The show airs live on Sunday, June 26 at 8 p.m. Over and out. Holla next week. ‘Til then, enjoy the nightlife.