R&B dominated BMI’s Urban Awards Thursday as Mario, Lloyd, Bobby Valentino, Ray J, Keri Hilson and more paid tribute to The Jackson 5. T-Pain, Ne-Yo, Kanye West, and Polow Da Don were among those who received awards. The BMI Urban Awards were the place to be Thursday as the legendary Jackson 5 received the organization’s Icon Award. The majority of the Jackson brothers were present including Jackie, Marlon, Tito, and Randy, but the breakout stars Michael and Jermaine Jackson were not present. When asked where the ‘King of Pop’ was Marlon told reporters “I don’t know, I think he’s in Egypt riding a camel or something.” Janet Jackson was on hand to present her brothers with the lifetime achievement BMI Icon award following a rousing tribute performance of “Never Can Say Goodbye” which featured R&B crooners Mario, Lloyd, Ray J and Bobby Valentino. R&B group ONE, Jojo, and Keri Hilson also participated in the tribute which included hits like “I Want You Back,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “I’ll Be There” and “Who’s Loving You.” The Jackson Five â which included Michael along with Marlon, Jackie, Tito and Jermaine â was a groundbreaking, best-selling act that debuted on the 1969 album “Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5.” The group simply became the Jacksons after leaving Motown in 1976, replacing Jermaine with Randy. They continued their multiplatinum success with such hits as “ABC” and “I Want You Back.” “It’s a great honor to know your music influenced a generation,” said Tito. “We’re very proud of this moment.” BMI also crowned T-Pain with Songwriter of the Year for his contributions to seven hits including “Good Life,” “I’m a Flirt,” “Cyclone,” “Low,” “Bartender,” “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’),” and “Shawty” at the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills. The “Can’t Believe It” singer was joined by Ne-Yo who won Song of the Year for co-writing “Irreplaceable” with Amund Bjoerklund and Espen Lind. Jonathan “J.R.” Rotem, Kanye West and T-Pain shared the Producer of the Year trophy for their respective hits. Universal Music Publishing Group was given the publisher of the year award. Soulja Boy, Polow Da Don, Rodney Jerkins, Will.I.Am, ColliPark and DJ Montay were noted on BMI’s Top Urban Producers list for the year.
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