Sony Music Publishing has been named Writer of the 12 months on the 2026 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.
The ceremony, which occurred on Thursday (June 25) on the rooftop of The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills, honored the writers and publishers of the yr’s most-performed songs, based mostly on Luminate radio and streaming knowledge.
SMP songwriters had been acknowledged throughout 27 of ASCAP’s top-performing R&B, hip-hop and gospel songs of the previous yr.
Mustard was named ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the 12 months for his work, together with TV Off by Kendrick Lamar and Little Issues by Ella Mai.
He additionally produced Kendrick Lamar‘s Grammy-winning Not Like Us and and joined him to carry out TV Off throughout the Tremendous Bowl LIX halftime present.
Leon Thomas obtained the ASCAP Vanguard Award, which acknowledges members whose work helps to form the way forward for music.
Earlier recipients of the award embrace Victoria Monét, Migos, Janelle Monáe and the Beastie Boys, in accordance with ASCAP.
Thomas gained two Grammys on the 2026 ceremony, together with Finest R&B Album for Mutt.
He additionally gained an ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Award for his single Mutt.
luther by Kendrick Lamar and SZA was named ASCAP’s High R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Tune of the 12 months.
The only’s ASCAP-credited writers embrace Marvin Gaye, Kamasi Washington, Scott Bridgeway and Jack Antonoff, with SMP among the many publishers.
luther incorporates Gaye‘s composition If This World Have been Mine.
ASCAP stated luther spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 and set the document for the longest-running No. 1 within the historical past of Billboard‘s Sizzling R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul Gospel Tune of the 12 months went to Relaxation On Us by Maverick Metropolis and UPPEROOM.
“This achievement displays the extraordinary influence of SMP‘s songwriters, whose work continues to encourage audiences world wide.”
Ari Gelaw, Sony Music Publishing
Upon receiving the award, Sony Music Publishing‘s VP, Artistic A&R, Ari Gelaw, stated: “We’re extremely honored to be acknowledged by ASCAP as Rhythm & Soul Writer of the 12 months.”
“This achievement displays the extraordinary influence of SMP‘s songwriters, whose work continues to encourage audiences world wide.”
“Thanks to ASCAP for this honor and to our crew for his or her unwavering dedication to supporting songwriters every single day.”
SMP‘s profitable songs included Push 2 Begin (Tyla), Went Legit (G Herbo), Folded (Kehlani), Man I Want (Olivia Dean), WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME (Glorilla and Sexyy Crimson), Mutt (Leon Thomas), Shake It To The Max (Fly) Remix (MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea) and Moderately Lie (The Weeknd and Playboi Carti)
SMP-published writers on these songs included Don Mills (Folded), Paul “Nineteen85” Jeffries (Burning Blue) and GuiltyBeatz (25).
The writer stated its honored writers additionally included Usher, Jermaine Dupri, Brian Casey, Sounwave, Playboi Carti, Ashley Gorley, Ian James, Spades, Prince Charles, Skillibeng, G Herbo, London Cyr, Gregory Williams, Bobby DeBarge, Michel Jean Legrand, The Infamous B.I.G., Evan Gregory McCoy, DJ Champ, Gangstarr, and Courtlin Jabrae.
Extra songwriters honored on the ceremony included Cardi B, Justin Bieber, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Kali Uchis and Summer season Walker.
In April, SMP gained Pop Writer of the 12 months on the 2026 ASCAP Pop Music Awards for the tenth time.
SMP additionally took Writer of the 12 months on the 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA‘s luther was additionally named Tune of the 12 months on the 2026 BMI Pop Music Awards in Might.
Sony Music Publishing is led by Chairman and CEO Jon Platt.Music Enterprise Worldwide
