Drake, B.o.B., Lex Luger, UMPG Win Big At BMI Urban Awards; Snoop Dogg Honored

9:44 AM PDT 8/29/2011 by Gail Mitchell

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Universal Music was named publisher of the year, with 13 of the most-performed songs.

Drake took home his first songwriter of the year award during the BMI Urban Awards held Friday, Aug. 26. at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood.

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B.o.B. and Lexus "Lex Luger" Lewis also made history as the youngest-ever BMI Urban Award recipients in their categories. B.o.B. won the crown for song of the year ("Nothin' on You" featuring Bruno Mars); Luger was named producer of the year.

And Snoop Dogg received the BMI Icon award at the annual ceremony, hosted by BMI president/CEO Del Bryant and Catherine Brewton, VP, writer/publisher relations, Atlanta.

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Also during the ceremony, which celebrates the songwriters, producers and music publishers of the past year's most-performed BMI R&B/hip-hop songs, Universal Music Publishing Group claimed publisher of the year honors with 13 of the most-performed songs. Those titles include "Airplanes," "Love the Way You Lie," "Deuces" and "Bottoms Up." Among the seven songs that helped Drake earn songwriter kudos are "Bedrock," "Find Your Love," "I Invented Sex" and "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)." Also honored were BMI's top urban producers: Polow Da Don, Daniel "Kane Beatz" Johnson, R. Kelly and Kanye West.

The highlight of the evening was the Icon salute to Snoop Dogg. Wiz Khalifa jumpstarted the proceedings with his cover of the rap pioneer's "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang." Among others who performed Snoop Dogg classics during the musical tribute were Warren G, The Game, Akon and Nas. Then Dr. Dre paid tribute to Snoop Dogg in a heartfelt speech before the man of the hour joined Bootsy Collins and Charlie Wilson onstage for an energetic rendition of "What's My Name?" Snoop Dogg joins such previous Icon honorees as George Clinton, the Jacksons, James Brown and Willie Nelson.