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Sony Music Publishing<\/a><\/strong> has been named Publisher of the Year at the 2026 BMI<\/a> R&B\/Hip-Hop Awards<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the second year running that SMP<\/strong> has taken the title.<\/p>\n The Sony<\/a><\/strong>-owned publisher landed the prize for representing 27<\/strong> of the past awards year\u2019s most-performed R&B and hip-hop songs in BMI<\/strong>\u2018s repertoire, up from 23<\/strong> at last year\u2019s ceremony<\/a>.<\/p>\n BMI<\/strong> held the event on Wednesday (August 26<\/strong>) at the Fairmont Century Plaza<\/strong> in Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a privilege to be recognized as Publisher of the Year for the second year in a row,\u201d said Ari Gelaw<\/strong>, Sony Music Publishing\u2019s SVP, Creative A&R. \u201cThis recognition belongs first and foremost to all SMP songwriter honorees and the incredible music they create.<\/p>\n \u201cTheir songs are why we do this, and we don\u2019t take that for granted for a second. Thank you to BMI<\/strong> for this honor, and to our team for their continued dedication and support.\u201d<\/p>\n Songs behind the win included Timeless<\/em> by The Weeknd<\/strong> and Playboi Carti<\/strong>, Like Him<\/em> by Tyler, the Creator<\/strong>, Yukon<\/em> by Justin Bieber<\/strong>, and 25<\/em>, whose BMI-credited writers include Rod Wave<\/strong> and Tems<\/strong>.<\/p>\n luther<\/em>, the Kendrick Lamar<\/strong> and SZA<\/strong> collaboration, took R&B\/Hip-Hop Song of the Year, with BMI-credited co-writers including SMP\u2019s Mark \u201cSounwave\u201d Spears<\/strong>, Matthew \u201cMTech\u201d Bernard<\/strong>, Atia \u201cINK\u201d Boggs<\/strong>, and Sam Dew<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Roselilah<\/strong> (BUMA<\/strong>), Lamar<\/strong>, and SZA<\/strong> were also recognized as writers on the track.<\/p>\n Lamar<\/strong> was named BMI R&B\/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year, having co-written six of the year\u2019s most-performed songs.<\/p>\n The other five<\/strong> were 30 For 30<\/em>, hey now<\/em>, peekaboo<\/em>, squabble up<\/em>, and tv off<\/em>.<\/p>\n BMI<\/strong> said luther<\/em> placed at No. 2<\/strong> on Billboard<\/a><\/em>\u2018s 2025<\/strong> Year End Hot 100 Songs chart, and spent 23 weeks<\/strong> at No. 1<\/strong> on the Billboard<\/em> Hot R&B\/Hip-Hop Songs chart.<\/p>\n According to the PRO, that surpassed a previous record of 22 weeks<\/strong> set by Lamar<\/strong>\u2018s own Not Like Us<\/em>.<\/p>\n O Lil Angel<\/strong> was named R&B\/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year, with BMI citing his work with Drake<\/strong> and PARTYNEXTDOOR<\/strong> on Spider-Man Superman<\/em> and Somebody Loves Me<\/em>.<\/p>\n Jahaan Sweet<\/strong>, who is signed to SMP<\/strong>, was among BMI\u2019s Top Producers, alongside Dernst \u201cD\u2019Mile\u201d Emile II<\/strong> and FNZ<\/strong>\u2018s Michael \u201cFinatik\u201d Mul\u00e9<\/strong> and Isaac \u201cZac\u201d De Boni<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Nas<\/strong> received the BMI Icon Award<\/strong>, presented by Babyface<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cStaring at records on wax I saw the three letters, BMI. No matter the legends I was listening to, I saw BMI,\u201d said Nas<\/strong>. \u201cNever in a million years did I think I would be partners with BMI.<\/p>\n \u201cIt just shows you that the things you dream about could really happen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNas didn\u2019t just raise the bar, he reset it,\u201d said Mike Steinberg<\/strong>, BMI\u2019s EVP and Chief Revenue & Creative Officer.<\/p>\n \u201cFor what hip-hop could be. For what songwriting could accomplish. For how deeply an artist could observe, think and write.\u201d<\/p>\n BMI<\/strong> also used the ceremony to remember Tay Keith<\/strong>, the producer and songwriter who died on June 18<\/strong> at the age of 29<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The PRO described him as \u201ca friend, a mentor and a brother to so many in the room,\u201d and his family came onstage to accept his 2025<\/strong> BMI R&B\/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year award.<\/p>\n Sony Music Publishing<\/strong> said its other 2026<\/strong> honorees included Rod Wave<\/strong>, Tems<\/strong>, Eelmatic<\/strong>, Seyi Sodimu<\/strong>, Kasey Rashel<\/strong>, J. White Did It<\/strong>, Bandplay<\/strong>, BigXthaPlug<\/strong>, Ben Johnson<\/strong>, Julian Bunetta<\/strong>, Giveon<\/strong>, Lucas Scharff<\/strong>, Paco<\/strong>, Kenneth Burrell<\/strong>, Tavaras Jordan<\/strong>, MacFly<\/strong>, Real Boston Richey<\/strong>, Ella Mai<\/strong>, Koshy<\/strong>, Carl Thompson<\/strong>, Faith Evans<\/strong>, Coupe<\/strong>, Tye Beats<\/strong>, Lorenzo Gaines<\/strong>, Jay Hawkins<\/strong>, Josh Thompson<\/strong>, Moneybagg Yo<\/strong>, and Charlie Handsome<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In May<\/strong>, the company was named Pop Publisher of the Year at the 2026 BMI Pop Music Awards<\/a>, where luther<\/em> also took Song of the Year.<\/p>\n It then won Publisher of the Year at the 2026 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards<\/a> on June 25<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Sony Music Publishing<\/strong> is led by Chairman and CEO Jon Platt<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The main winners at the 2026 BMI R&B\/Hip-Hop Awards<\/strong> were as follows:<\/p>\n The full roster of BMI\u2019s 35<\/strong> most-performed R&B\/Hip-Hop songs and their writers and publishers, including 63<\/strong> first-time award winners, is published on the PRO\u2019s website<\/a>.Music Business Worldwide<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n