T-Pain and GloRilla To Be Honored at 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) has officially announced that two of the most impactful voices in music—T-Pain and GloRilla—will receive top honors at this year’s R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. The prestigious annual ceremony, scheduled for August 28 in Los Angeles, will be a private, invite-only celebration recognizing songwriting excellence and artistic influence within the genre.

T-Pain, the Grammy-winning artist and producer known for revolutionizing the use of Auto-Tune in mainstream music, will receive the coveted BMI President’s Award. The honor is reserved for trailblazers whose innovative artistry has profoundly influenced the music industry. GloRilla, the rising Memphis-born rapper known for her bold sound and cultural impact, will be presented with the BMI Impact Award, spotlighting her role in shaping the future of hip-hop.

BMI President/CEO Mike O’Neill, Executive Vice President/Chief Creative & Revenue Officer Mike Steinberg, and Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton will host the evening. The ceremony will also recognize the creators behind the 35 most-performed R&B and hip-hop songs of the past year, with additional accolades going to the Songwriter, Producer, and Publisher of the Year, as well as the top producers who helped define the sound of 2024.

In a statement, Brewton praised both honorees:
“T-Pain’s creative vision and unwavering commitment to pushing musical boundaries continue to resonate with multiple generations of fans around the world. We’re thrilled to be able to celebrate his contributions to the industry by honoring him with the BMI President’s Award,” she said. “This year’s Impact Award recipient GloRilla’s bold voice and fearless creativity is currently shaping and inspiring the future of hip-hop, making her the perfect choice for this honor.”

This recognition marks a significant milestone in GloRilla’s breakout journey. Fresh off hosting her inaugural “Glo Bash” in Memphis on July 25—an early birthday celebration and hometown tribute—she’s cementing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the music world. The event coincided with her 26th birthday on July 28.

T-Pain and GloRilla recently collaborated on “I LUV HER,” a standout track from GloRilla’s debut album GLORIOUS. Their joint recognition at the BMI Awards underscores the bridge between hip-hop’s established icons and its next generation of stars.

The BMI President’s Award has previously been awarded to artists like Taylor Swift, Ludacris, and Benny Blanco. Similarly, past recipients of the Impact Award include Tems, Ice Spice, and RAYE—artists whose voices have helped define new eras in music.

As the industry prepares to gather in Los Angeles for this year’s ceremony, the celebration promises to be a powerful acknowledgment of not just commercial success, but creative evolution. Both T-Pain and GloRilla exemplify artistry that reshapes boundaries—and now, BMI will shine the spotlight they both richly deserve.