NEW YORK CITY-Hip-hop music producer Jazze Pha took home Broadcast Music Inc.’s Urban Ringtone Award for his song “1, 2 Step.” BMI, a performing rights organization, handed out awards to R&B, rap and hip-hop songwriters, producers and publishers at its 6th Annual Urban Awards Aug. 30 in New York City. The “1, 2 Step” ringtone won the award because it tallied the most downloads during the award period. Pictured at right are Jazze Pha and Richard Conlon, BMI Vice President, New Media and Strategic Development.
Other winners included Mariah Carey, who took home Song of the Year for “We Belong Together” and Songwriter of the Year, which she shared with Miami-based producers Bigg D and Jim Jonsin.
Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Antonio “L.A.” Reid were named BMI Icons for their “enduring influence on generations of music makers.”
Ringtones are just beginning to be recognized with music awards as they gain popularity across the world.
