The ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) will honor 12-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award during its 22nd Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, it was announced by President and Chairman Paul Williams. The invitation-only event will take place on June 26, 2009 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California, and will also honor the songwriters and publishers of the most performed ASCAP songs on the 2008 R&B/Hip-Hop, Rap and Gospel charts.
The ASCAP Golden Note Award is presented to songwriters, composers, and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Past recipients include Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jay-Z, Quincy Jones, LL Cool J, New Edition and Lionel Richie.
"Since joining the ASCAP family at the age of 17, Alicia has grown into one of the most highly recognized and influential songwriter/performers of the past decade, whose artistry puts her in league with many of her musical idols," said ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams. "We are especially proud to spotlight Alicia’s extraordinary achievements by honoring her with ASCAP’s Golden Note Award."
Since bursting onto the music scene in 2001 with her distinctive blend of soul, hip-hop, jazz and classical music, Alicia Keys has built an unparalleled repertoire of hits and accomplishments with over 30 million albums sold worldwide. Her debut album, Songs In A Minor, which spawned her signature hit "Fallin," garnered five Grammy Awards including Best New Artist and Best R&B Album. Her follow-up disc, 2004’s The Diary of Alicia Keys, captured three Grammy Awards and featured the hits "If I Ain’t Got You," "You Don’t Know My Name" and "Karma." With the 2005 release of her first live album, Unplugged, Keys became the first female R&B artist to have three consecutive #1 debuts on the Billboard 200 album chart in as many releases. Her third studio album, 2007’s As I Am, another #1 debut, yielded three Grammy Awards and featured the smash hit single, "No One," which 10 hours after its release became one of the fastest moving and highest charting singles on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In addition to her 12 Grammy Awards, including one for her collaboration with Usher on "My Boo," Keys has received several other industry awards and accolades, including Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, BET Awards, and NAACP Image Awards. In 2005, Keys was named Songwriter of the Year at ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, and the following year she received the Starlight Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
As previously announced, ASCAP will present music legend Smokey Robinson with its Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award, which is given to ASCAP members who have had a major impact on the legacy of Rhythm and Soul music.
The Awards celebration will also feature a special presentation of ASCAP’s highly coveted Songwriter of the Year award to the songwriter with the most award-winning songs of 2008. Past recipients of this top honor include 50 Cent, Johntá Austin, Mary J. Blige, Kandi Burruss, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Dr. Dre, Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Alicia Keys and Timbaland. Special awards will also be presented to Publisher of the Year, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song, Top Rap Song and Top Gospel Song. The evening will feature performances by several award-winning songwriter/performers.
