Mariah Carey to be Named BMI Icon at Annual BMI Urban Awards

Mariah Carey will be honored as a BMI Icon at the BMI Urban Awards, scheduled for Friday, September 7 at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.

our editor recommends

Mariah Carey: Your Next 'American Idol' Judge? (Report)

BET Awards 2012: Mariah Carey, Cissy Houston, Brandy Pay Tribute to Whitney Houston

Cartoon Network Orders Nick Cannon Sketch Comedy Series and 'How To Train Your Dragon' Spinoff

Carey will join a group that includes the Jacksons, Snoop Dogg, George Clinton, James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Little Richard, Al Green, the Bee Gees, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton -- selected because of their "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers."

PHOTOS: BET Awards 2012: Kanye West, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Chris Brown Rock the Show

Over the years, Carey has co-written most of her biggest hits, a long list that includes 30 BMI Urban and Pop Award-winning songs  such as "Always Be My Baby," "Hero," "Fantasy," "Vision of Love," "Emotions," "Shake It Off," "We Belong Together," "One Sweet Day," "I Don't Wanna Cry," "Dreamlover" and "All I Want for Christmas is You."  A whopping 17 of her songs have amassed more than 1 million performances each, including "Always Be My Baby," "Dreamlover" and "Hero," which have each earned more than 3 million performances.

Carey has scored more No. 1 singles than any other solo artist in history -- and is second only to the Beatles in the all-time list -- and holds the record for the female songwriter with the most Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles in the rock era, totaling 18.

VIDEO: Mariah Carey Debuts 'Bring It on Home' for Obama

On March 1, just 10 months after giving birth to twins Moroccan and Monroe, a soulful and slender Carey, who is married to America's Got Talent host Nick Cannon, returned to the stage with a 40-minute set at New York's Gotham Hall that included "Always Be My Baby," "We Belong Together," "I'll Be There" and "Obsessed." She released The Essential Mariah Carey on May 8 and is currently in the studio, writing and recording her next album for Island Def Jam. She is also rumored to be in "serious talks" to become a judge on American Idol.

Twitter: @billboardbiz