Additional top awards presented included Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song (“Love on Top,” written by Beyoncé, The-Dream and Shea Taylor), Top Rap Song (“The Motto,” written by Shebib) and Top Gospel Song (“Let the Church Say Amen,” written by Andraé Crouch). 2 Chainz and Shebib each wrote four of the most performed songs of the past year, among them “Bandz a Make Her Dance” and “No Lie” (2 Chainz) and “The Motto” and “Take Care” (Shebib).
Sony/ATV led the publishing race with 20 award-winning songs, among them “Love on Top,” “Refill,” “Take Care,” “Birthday Cake” and “Mercy.”
Capping the ceremony: presentations of the Golden Note Award to Usher and the Vanguard Award to Kendrick Lamar. ASCAP president/chairman Paul Williams, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Epic chairman/CEO L.A. Reid and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis co-presented Usher’s award. Commented Combs of the eight-time Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, “We appreciate you and love you for not lowering the bar to this game, for constantly raising it.” Manning a turntable, songwriter/producer Jermaine Dupri led the audience in a sing-along of hits from Usher’s extensive catalog, including “My Way,” “Confessions Part II,” “Burn,” “My Boo” and “OMG.”
Before presenting Lamar¹s award, producer Dr. Dre lauded the fellow Compton rapper for “writing about what he sees and lives with vulnerability, humility and truth.” Rounding out the evening were spirited performances by singer/songwriters Jason Nelson and Isaac Carree, Elle Varner and rapper Problem.
Among the ASCAP executives on hand helping with the presentations were CEO John LoFrumento and VP of membership, Rhythm & Soul Nicole George-Middleton.
