Bryan 'Birdman' Williams, Ronald 'Slim' Williams Honored as BMI Icons

Broadcast Music, Inc., (BMI), the global leader in music rights management, presented last night the BMI Icon Award to Cash Money Records' Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams at the 2013 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, held at the Manhattan Center in New York City. The star-studded event, formerly known as the BMI Urban Awards, celebrates the songwriters, producers and publishers of the most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs of the previous year.

Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams were named BMI Icons because of their "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." The brothers, who co-founded Cash Money Records in 1991, were treated to an all-star tribute, which included performances by Kevin Rudolf, DJ Khaled, Mystikal, Future, Curren$y, Ace Hood, Busta Rhymes, Turk, Mannie Fresh and Juvenile. Each artist delivered a dynamic interpretation of a Cash Money classic, such as "Slow Motion," performed by Curren$y, and "Ha" performed by Mystikal.

Nicki Minaj and Benny Blanco shared the Songwriter of the Year crown by each writing four songs that rank among the year's most-performed. Nicki's top contributions include "Dance (A$$)," "Girl On Fire," "Make Me Proud," and "Starships." Benny Blanco was recognized for "Diamonds," "Heart Attack," "Payphone," and "Work Hard Play Hard." Nicki Minaj's ubiquitous "Starships" earned Song of the Year honors for its writers Minaj, Wayne Hector, and RedOne, as well as publishers Harajuku Barbie Music, Money Mack Music, Songs of RedOne, Songs of Universal, Inc., Sony/ATV Songs, LLC and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

Hit-Boy earned the Producer of the Year crystal. The incredible songwriter/producer has helmed boards for hits by Kanye West, Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky, among many others. In addition to Hit-Boy, BMI also recognized top producers Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, Warren "Oak" Felder, Jim Jonsin, Ryan Lewis, Marquel "MaRz" Middlebrooks, Troy Taylor, Andrew "Pop" Wansel and Tyler "T-Minus" Williams.

With 16 songs among the most-performed, Universal Music Publishing Group clinched the prestigious Publisher of the Year crown.

Machine Gun Kelly won the BMI Social Star Award. Selected by fans voting via Twitter, the award salutes the BMI R&B/hip-hop songwriter who has best demonstrated the power of social media to showcase their songwriting talents.

During the ceremony, BMI also recognized the songwriters of Billboard No. 1 singles on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts over the past year.

BMI President and CEO Del Bryant and Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton shared the evening's hosting duties with recording artist Ray J.

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