It was an evening of great wins and musical milestones as ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) introduced the winners of the 2025 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards—and the celebs didn’t disappoint.
Kendrick Lamar’s explosive anthem, “Not Like Us,” took dwelling the coveted titles of R&B/Hip-Hop Tune of the 12 months and Rap Tune of the 12 months. Co-written by Mustard and revealed by Pay DJ Mustard and Sony Music Publishing, the monitor has made severe waves in music historical past. Not solely did it prime the Billboard Scorching 100, but it surely additionally turned the primary rap track ever to spend 52 consecutive weeks on the chart. Launched in Could 2024, “Not Like Us” stays at No. 23 on the Billboard Scorching R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and has surpassed the 1 billion stream mark on Spotify.
One other spotlight of the night? Cardi B was honored with the celebrated ASCAP Voice of the Tradition Award. Identified for her daring presence and plain affect, Cardi’s recognition celebrates her affect as a creator and cultural changemaker. She additionally snagged a Rhythm & Soul Award for her monitor “Sufficient (Miami).”
This isn’t Cardi’s first second within the ASCAP highlight—again in 2020, she made historical past as the primary lady to win ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the 12 months two years in a row. Add to {that a} assortment of 8 ASCAP Pop Music Awards and an astounding 23 Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, and also you’ve bought a queen with severe pen energy. She accepted her newest honor from Nicole George-Middleton, ASCAP’s Govt Vice President and Head of Inventive Membership, at a personal VIP celebration in Los Angeles.
OZ, the multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Swiss hitmaker, took dwelling ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the 12 months for his chart-dominating contributions, together with “First Particular person Shooter“ (Drake), “Lovin On Me“ (Jack Harlow), and “I KNOW ?“ (Travis Scott).
On the gospel entrance, “That’s My King“ by CeCe Winans was named Gospel Tune of the 12 months. The uplifting monitor was co-written by Taylor Agan and Kellie Besch and revealed by a staff that features Bridge Worship, CURB|Phrase Music Publishing, Important Music Publishing, and different music publishers.
We are able to’t shut this publication with out celebrating our writer and CEO, Munson Steed, who served as a producer alongside Charles Jenkins and J. White Did It, with Lil’ Ronnie and Xavier Wright as govt producers, on Koryn Hawthorne’s award-winning monitor “Look At God,” which took dwelling Most Carried out Gospel Tune of the 12 months.
Within the publishing world, Sony Music Publishing was topped Writer of the 12 months for its contributions to a number of the 12 months’s greatest tracks:
- “A Bar Tune (Tipsy)“ – Shaboozey
- “Million Greenback Child“ – Tommy Richman
- “Sufficient (Miami)“ – Cardi B
- “BAND4BAND” – Central Cee & Lil Child
- “Yeah, Glo!“ – GloRilla
- “Saturn“ – SZA
- “Get It Sexyy“ – Sexyy Purple
- “Texas Maintain ‘Em“ – Beyoncé
- “Made for Me“ – Muni Lengthy
- “Residuals“ & “Sensational“ – Chris Brown
A couple of extra standout creators took dwelling trophies, together with:
- 21 Savage (“Show it,” “Redrum,” “Encompass Sound”)
- Offset (“Price It”)
- Lil Uzi Vert (“All people”)
- Tee Grizzley (“IDGAF”)
- Playboi Carti (“Carnival,” “Fe!N,” “Timeless”)
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard (“Within the Room”)
- Tye Tribbett (“Solely One Night time Tho”)
The 2025 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards didn’t simply rejoice songs—it celebrated tradition, neighborhood, and the inventive firepower shaping the sound of at present and tomorrow.